The Seahawks are heading back to primetime for another difficult test, this time against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lumen Field. After facing the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle gets another opportunity to prove it can compete with one of the NFL’s best teams. The difference is that the Seahawks cannot afford another performance filled with defensive lapses and missed opportunities.
At 3–3, Seattle has already made its path forward more complicated with losses to the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.
Beating Kansas City would not solve every problem, but it could restore confidence and give the Seahawks some much-needed momentum before the next stretch of a challenging schedule.
There is also an intriguing storyline on the other sideline: former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, who has become one of the Chiefs’ most productive offensive weapons.
The biggest test for Seattle’s run defense
Seattle’s defense has gone 35 consecutive games without allowing an opposing running back to rush for 100 yards. That streak is now facing one of its toughest challenges yet.
Walker has rushed for 665 yards and six touchdowns through five games, averaging 133 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry. He has surpassed 100 rushing yards in four of his five appearances, with his lowest total being 70 yards against Miami. He has also added 95 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
The numbers tell the story, but Walker’s explosiveness is what makes this matchup particularly dangerous. He can turn a routine run into a game-changing play with one missed tackle. A defender who fails to finish the play could be the difference between a one-yard loss and a 30-yard gain.
Seattle knows Walker well, and that familiarity could help. But it also means the Seahawks understand exactly how quickly he can punish a defensive mistake.
The potential return of Zach Charbonnet adds another layer to the storyline. If he is able to play, Seattle would get a boost to its depleted backfield while facing the running back who once shared the workload with him. Still, Charbonnet’s availability must be confirmed before Sunday.
Defensive discipline will be essential
Seattle has continued to defend the run well, allowing approximately 96 rushing yards per game this season. The unit has not been quite as dominant as it was last year, however, and the Denver game exposed how costly lapses can become.
The Seahawks managed to limit Denver’s passing production in the second half, but that does not necessarily translate into success against Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes presents a different level of challenge, and the Chiefs have more ways to punish a defense that loses its discipline.
Seattle cannot afford to switch off for two drives and expect to recover without consequences. Against Mahomes, even a short stretch of poor execution can swing a game.
The first priority is controlling Walker. That means maintaining gap integrity, tackling consistently and preventing explosive runs. Seattle must also be prepared for the possibility that Walker becomes a receiving threat, particularly on quick passes designed to get the ball into his hands in space.
Stopping the Chiefs passing game
Stopping Walker would be a significant step, but it would not solve the entire problem. Kansas City’s ground game helps sustain drives and keeps the offense in manageable situations, creating opportunities for Mahomes to attack through the air.
Travis Kelce has recorded 299 receiving yards and two touchdowns through five games. Xavier Worthy has added 206 yards and a touchdown, while Tyquan Thornton has produced 219 yards and two scores. Those numbers illustrate that Kansas City can distribute the ball to multiple targets. Thornton will be out due to injury, as will Rashee Rice, so this is a banged up group.
Kelce is particularly important because of the problems he can create for linebackers. Seattle has had moments of misalignment between its linebackers and defensive front, while coverage against tight ends has occasionally left room for opposing offenses to exploit.
Ernest Jones, Tyrice Knight (assuming Drake Thomas doesn’t play), and Nick Emmanwori will be important pieces in keeping those responsibilities organized. Seattle must recognize when to prioritize Walker in the backfield and when to account for Kelce working underneath.
The Chiefs do not need to rely exclusively on explosive downfield throws. If Seattle overcommits to stopping the run, Mahomes can take the easier completions underneath and allow his receivers to gain yards after the catch.
A familiar face, a different challenge
Seattle has seen Walker’s explosiveness firsthand, but this is a different challenge from the one the Seahawks faced when he wore their uniform. Now he is operating in an offense led by Mahomes, and the combination makes every defensive mistake more dangerous.
There is also a historical reminder of how strange these reunions can be for Seattle. Former Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham once scored against his old team while playing for Chicago. That is a fun footnote, but Walker is a far more central concern heading into this matchup.
The last meeting between Seattle and Kansas City came in November 2022, when the Chiefs won 24–10 with Geno Smith at quarterback for the Seahawks. Seattle’s more memorable recent win came in December 2018, when Russell Wilson and the Seahawks defeated Mahomes and Kansas City 38–31.
The 2018 game offers a reminder that Seattle can compete with an elite Kansas City offense. But this year’s matchup will require a complete performance rather than relying on history.
Final Thoughts
This is a difficult matchup for Seattle, but it is also an opportunity to change the narrative surrounding its season. The losses to Washington and Denver have created legitimate questions about the Seahawks’ consistency, and another defeat could make the road ahead even more difficult. A primetime win over Kansas City, however, would give the team a significant confidence boost and put it back in the conversation as a contender.
The Seahawks do not need to play a perfect game, but they must avoid the extended lapses that have hurt them recently. Containing Walker, tackling well and staying disciplined against Mahomes and Kelce will be essential. Seattle has the home crowd and the defensive track record to make this competitive. Now it needs to turn those advantages into four quarters of consistent football.
