It’s the first of three October dates for the Seattle Seahawks before their midseason bye. This is a special home game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as both teams are celebrating 50 seasons in the NFL,
and thus we get a double throwback uniform game. There are still considerable stakes in the present given it’s 3-1 vs. 3-1, and that head-to-head tiebreaker could matter a lot when we get to the nitty gritty of the playoff chase later on in the season.
Before we get into this week’s five predictions for Seahawks vs. Bucs, let’s revisit last week’s predictions from the Cardinals game:
Bold prediction: Arizona’s offense is held under 200 yards
This was going so well until the last drive. So close.
Seahawks offense prediction: Jaxon Smith-Njigba eclipses 100 yards again
Not doing anything in the first half sunk this prediction, but he did lead all receivers on both teams with 79 yards.
Seahawks defense prediction: The Seahawks finally recover a fumble
They still haven’t even forced a fumble yet, unless you count what Tyrice Knight did to Coby Bryant.
Cardinals prediction: Calais Campbell adds to his Seahawks collection
Why was this the one I was correct on? Dammit.
Game prediction: Seahawks keep the good times rolling in Glendale
I said 26-13 and itwas 23-20. In an alternate universe it really might have been 26-13. Probably the universe where JSN doesn’t get a “holding” penalty on Zach Charbonnet’s touchdown.
Bold prediction: Riq Woolen gets a game-clinching interception
Well, I’ve already spoiled that I think the Seahawks will win, so the score prediction is just a matter of how many points each team will score.
Riq Woolen has been under fire for his performance this season, particularly in high leverage moments. He has six penalties (four accepted) and has been subject to trade rumors throughout this week. Will he step up, particularly in the absence of Julian Love and Devon Witherspoon? I think he’ll get his first pick, and it’ll be one that seals the deal and exorcise some of his recent demons.
Seahawks offense prediction: Cooper Kupp scores his first Seattle touchdown
Kupp has been about what I expected in Seattle. He’s not the super explosive receiver he once was, but 55 percent of his 15 receptions have been “successful” plays in terms of getting a first down or getting the majority of yards needed to get a first down.
With Tampa’s cornerback room banged up, I see Kupp having a role in the red zone and a touchdown to boot. No doubt the Bucs will be trying hard to stymie Jaxon Smith-Njigba, which should open up some opportunities for Kupp to work underneath.
Seahawks defense prediction: Baker Mayfield is sacked at least three times
The Buccaneers have Tristan Wirfs back, and he’s one of the great offensive players in the league, let alone tackles. They’re still down two starters on injured reserve, and the Seahawks pass rush has been outstanding at generating pressure. Baker Mayfield is one hell of a magician and he’s made some phenomenal escapes this year, but he’s not impossible to sack.
We might have seen a course correction last week regarding the high pressure rate not translating to sacks. Seattle sacked Kyler Murray six times and had him under siege; I foresee Mayfield getting dropped at least thrice… and maybe we’ll finally see Boye Mafe and/or Derick Hall get their first of the season.
Opponent prediction: Buccaneers hold Seahawks to well under 100 rushing yards
Unless Vita Vea and Greg Gaines are surprise inactives, I don’t see how the Seahawks rushing attack can get going against the No. 1 rush defense by FTN Fantasy’s DVOA. Seattle’s running game has been modest, at best, and is way too prone to no-gain or negative plays. Tampa Bay hasn’t allowed 100 on the ground yet and has only given up four explosive (10+ yard) rushes to opposing running backs all season.
It’ll be tough sledding on the ground for Seattle. The interior will have a tough time dealing with Tampa’s big fellas, so the outside zone rushes will have to really be on point for Seattle to find an unclogged lane to do much of anything.
Game prediction: It comes down to the wire, but the Seahawks prevail late
I expect a low-scoring battle in which both offenses are outmatched a bit by the opposing defenses. Sam Darnold may have some struggles we haven’t seen in his previous four starts, while the offensive line could be in for a really difficult afternoon given they’ve not really faced standout interior pressure this year. I still believe Darnold and Smith-Njigba can hit some big plays throughout the day to engineer scoring drives, so it’s not like it’ll be a rock fight.
No Bucky Irving is a hit to Tampa Bay’s rushing and receiving game given his versatility, but Tampa has struggled to run the ball this year. They’re surprisingly low in play action rate and not good when using it (a flip from 2024 with Liam Coen). The Bucs have been winning by the skin of their teeth and of course their one loss was a near miraculous comeback against the Super Bowl champs. Seattle’s biggest goal is to slow down Emeka Egbuka, the electrifying rookie receiver out of Ohio State.
There will be sacks. There will be turnovers. There will be some groans and nervousness. There will also be enough big plays made by the Seahawks offense to give them a late lead, and Riq will get the game-winning interception to preserve a 20-16 win for the Seahawks over the same team they beat in 1976 for their first W in franchise history.
That’s all from me! Make your own predictions in the comments!
