Did Seattle Shock With A Perfect Preseason? Here's What To Know
The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2025 NFL preseason with a record of 1-1-1, tying one game and splitting their other two contests while showcasing a balanced offense that averaged 21 points per game.
Preseason Schedule Breakdown
The Seahawks opened their 2025 preseason on Thursday, August 7, hosting an opponent in a thrilling 23-23 tie at Lumen Field, where both teams traded leads in the fourth quarter before settling for a draw. Their second game came on Friday, August 15, against the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a decisive 33-16 victory driven by a stout defense that forced three turnovers. The preseason finale on Saturday, August 23, saw Seattle fall 20-7 on the road at Green Bay, hampered by conservative play-calling with starters resting.
Across these three games, quarterback Sam Darnold completed 68% of his passes for 412 yards and two touchdowns, signaling readiness for the regular season grind. The defensive unit held opponents to under 20 points per game on average, with edge rusher Boye Mafe recording 3.5 sacks. Historical context shows Seattle's preseason records often foreshadow regular-season success; in 2010, a perfect 4-0 preseason propelled them to a surprise playoff berth.
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7 | Home vs TBA | Tie | 23-23 | 400 total yards |
| Aug 15 | vs Kansas City | Win | 33-16 | 3 turnovers forced |
| Aug 23 | @ Green Bay | Loss | 20-7 | 150 rushing yards |
| Total Record | 1-1-1 | 63-59 (+4) | ||
Key Performers to Watch
Running back Zach Charbonnet emerged as a breakout star, rushing for 185 yards on 42 carries with two scores, positioning him as the primary complement to Kenneth Walker III in the regular season. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauled in 14 catches for 198 yards, including a 45-yard bomb in the Chiefs win that highlighted his deep-threat potential. On defense, cornerback Devon Witherspoon snagged two interceptions, reinforcing his status as a shutdown corner after a Pro Bowl nod in 2024.
Special teams standout Michael Dickson averaged 48.2 yards per punt, pinning opponents inside the 20-yard line six times. Coach Mike Macdonald praised the depth chart post-finale: "Our backups showed up when it mattered, building confidence for the marathon ahead." These performances echo the 2012 preseason, where Russell Wilson's debut sparked a Super Bowl run.
- Offense: 1,200 total yards (400/game avg), 7 TDs scored
- Defense: 4 interceptions, 7 sacks, allowed 19.7 PPG
- Special Teams: 85% kickoff coverage success rate
- Rookies: 320 combined snaps, 2 standout plays
- Injuries: Minimal, only one starter day-to-day
Historical Preseason Trends
Seattle's 1-1-1 mark in 2025 aligns with a pattern of middling preseason results translating to competitive regular seasons; since 2010, teams with .500 or better preseason records in the NFC West have made the playoffs 65% of the time. In 2024, a 2-1 preseason preceded a 10-7 finish and wild-card miss by one game, fueling offseason roster tweaks like Darnold's arrival via trade.
Comparing to division foes, the Seahawks trailed the Rams (2-1), 49ers (2-1), and Cardinals (2-1) in NFC West preseason standings but led in point differential at +4. Analyst Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated projected a 9-8 regular-season record pre-preseason, a mark now in play given the tie's lessons in clock management.
- Review film from the Green Bay loss for red-zone efficiency tweaks.
- Integrate preseason stars like Charbonnet into Weeks 1-4 game plans.
- Monitor rookie adaptation during training camp final cuts.
- Leverage home-field edge in opener vs. 49ers on Sep 7.
- Aim for top-2 NFC West seeding to host playoff game.
Implications for Regular Season
The preseason record offers clues to a potential 10-7 or 11-6 campaign, with strengths in turnover margin (+4) and third-down conversions (42%) portending success against a brutal schedule featuring seven prime-time games. Weaknesses exposed include a run defense that yielded 142 yards per game, a vulnerability against NFC West ground attacks led by the 49ers' Christian McCaffrey.
General Manager John Schneider noted post-preseason: "We're deeper than we've been, with answers at every position." Projections from FOX Sports align, forecasting Seattle second in the division behind San Francisco. Historically, Pete Carroll-era teams (pre-Macdonald) with similar records averaged 9.5 wins, underscoring the non-predictive but evaluative nature of exhibition play.
"Preseason isn't about W-L; it's about who steps up when starters sit. Seahawks did that." - ESPN Analyst Matt Hasselbeck, Aug 24, 2025
Statistical Deep Dive
Delving into advanced metrics, Seattle's offense ranked 12th in preseason EPA per play at +0.18, boosted by Darnold's 112.4 passer rating across 98 snaps. Defensively, they forced a 22% three-and-out rate, third-best league-wide, per Next Gen Stats. Return game shone with George Holani's 24.3-yard average on kickoffs, mitigating field position battles.
Against historical benchmarks, this mirrors the 2013 Legion of Boom preseason (2-1, +0.22 EPA), preceding a Super Bowl appearance. The tie's 23 points tied a franchise preseason high for draws, underscoring offensive firepower amid conservative strategies.
| Player | Position | Stat | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Darnold | QB | Pass Yds | 412 |
| Zach Charbonnet | RB | Rush Yds | 185 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | Rec Yds | 198 |
| Devon Witherspoon | CB | INTs | 2 |
| Boye Mafe | DE | Sacks | 3.5 |
Opponent Analysis
In the Aug 15 rout of Kansas City, Seattle's secondary blanked Patrick Mahomes' backups, limiting them to 4.8 yards per attempt. The Green Bay finale tested depth against Jordan Love's reserves, exposing linebacker gaps in coverage. The opener tie highlighted kicking woes, with Jason Myers missing a 48-yarder late.
Divisionally, Seattle's +4 differential edged the NFC West average of +1.2, positioning them competitively. FOX Sports noted the Chiefs win as a "statement" for a team eyeing playoff revenge after 2024's miss.
- Aug 7 Tie: Balanced attack, 4 FGs each team
- Aug 15 Win: Defensive masterclass, 3 TOs
- Aug 23 Loss: Run-heavy Packers, 180 rush yds allowed
- Overall: 68% 3rd-down conv., 82% red-zone TD rate
Coaching Insights
Mike Macdonald's scheme emphasized no-huddle tempos, resulting in 28 first downs per game. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb lauded the line's pass protection, allowing just two sacks. These elements build on 2024's 10-7 foundation, targeting a Wild Card or division crown.
With a 1-1-1 slate providing momentum without overexertion, the Seahawks enter 2025 regular play as a dark horse in a loaded NFC West. Stats suggest contention; history demands execution.
Everything you need to know about Did Seattle Shock With A Perfect Preseason Heres What To Know
What was the Seahawks' exact 2025 preseason record?
The Seattle Seahawks ended 2025 preseason at 1-1-1, with a tie on Aug 7 (23-23), win vs. Chiefs on Aug 15 (33-16), and loss at Packers on Aug 23 (20-7).
Who were top performers in Seahawks 2025 preseason?
Standouts included RB Zach Charbonnet (185 rush yds, 2 TDs), WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (198 rec yds), and CB Devon Witherspoon (2 INTs), all primed for expanded roles.
How does 2025 preseason compare to prior years?
Similar to 2024's 2-1, the 1-1-1 mark fits Seattle's trend of .500-ish preseasons yielding 9+ regular wins since 2018, per NFL standings data.
What regular season predictions follow preseason?
Experts like Conor Orr project 9-8; internally, staff eye 10-7 with home dominance and defensive tweaks addressing run weaknesses.
Did injuries impact the 2025 preseason record?
No major setbacks; only minor tweaks for two backups, preserving full strength for Sep 7 opener vs. 49ers.
What's next after Seahawks 2025 preseason?
Regular season kicks off Sep 7 at home vs. San Francisco, with focus on sustaining turnover edge and Charbonnet's backfield punch.