Geno Smith is one of the more underrated starting quarterbacks in the NFC, and his steady play has kept Seattle in the playoff conversation in recent seasons. The Seahawks are built around a balanced offensive attack and a defense that has the athleticism and scheme to create problems for mobile quarterbacks and west-coast offenses.
| Player | Team | Why They Matter |
|---|---|---|
| DK Metcalf | Seahawks | One of Seahawks's top players heading into this Week 9 matchup |
| Marshawn Lynch | Seahawks | One of Seahawks's top players heading into this Week 9 matchup |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seahawks | One of Seahawks's top players heading into this Week 9 matchup |
| Kyler Murray | Cardinals | Key player for Cardinals that the Seahawks defense will need to contain |
| Kurt Warner | Cardinals | Key player for Cardinals that the Seahawks defense will need to contain |
Seattle wins at Lumen Field more than almost anywhere in the league -- the 12th Man tradition is real, and the crowd noise creates genuine communication problems for opposing offenses. The Seahawks compete best when they can run the ball effectively and use play-action to attack over the top. For Seahawks fans, 2026 is a season with legitimate playoff expectations and a roster that can back them up.
| Storyline | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Seahawks offense, Week 9 | How the unit performs under current 2026 roster and scheme adjustments |
| Cardinals defense | The first test for Seahawks skill players coming out of the preseason |
| Turnover margin | Week 1 games are often decided by turnovers before teams find their rhythm |
Shop Seattle Seahawks Fan Cave Plaques
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The exact card may vary slightly from the one pictured -- you'll always get a genuine licensed card of this player.