What a turnaround it’s been for the Seattle Seahawks’ special teams. Just a year ago, this unit was a mixed bag-solid in the metrics, but plagued by costly mistakes that directly impacted games. Fast forward to the 2025 season, and not only have they cleaned up the errors, they’ve become a historically dominant force in all three phases of the kicking game.
Let’s be clear: Seattle wasn’t awful on special teams last year. In fact, they ranked 10th in FTN’s DVOA metric.
But the flashes of competence were often overshadowed by back-breaking miscues-like the two returners who were cut midseason after combining for a pair of fumbles, or the blocked field goal that turned into a touchdown against the Giants. Jason Myers and Michael Dickson were doing their best to hold things together, but the unit as a whole was under the microscope.
Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh entered this season with plenty to prove.
Well, consider the message received-and emphatically delivered.
Through 2025, the Seahawks’ special teams haven’t just improved-they’ve exploded. According to FTN Fantasy’s Aaron Schatz, Seattle’s special teams DVOA ranks as the 10th-best since 1978.
That’s nearly five decades of data, and the Seahawks are sitting near the top of the all-time list. Only the New York Jets, who rank fourth this season, are ahead of them in 2025.
And while the Jets are struggling in just about every other area, Seattle is thriving across the board.
What’s most impressive is the balance. The Seahawks don’t have a single weak link in any of the five core special teams categories-kickoffs, kick returns, punts, punt returns, and field goals/extra points.
Their kickoff coverage has been elite, ranked No. 1 in the NFL by a wide margin. Opposing teams are starting drives in brutal field position, and that’s no accident.
Jason Myers continues to be a weapon, and the coverage unit is flying downfield with precision and purpose. It’s worth noting that the team they’re outpacing in kickoff coverage is Washington-coordinated by Larry Izzo, the man Harbaugh replaced in Seattle.
And it’s not just about efficiency-it’s about game-changing moments. This unit has delivered in high-leverage situations, flipping momentum and sealing victories with plays that make the highlight reel and the win column.
Week-by-Week Impact Plays
vs. Steelers - George Holani’s heads-up kickoff recovery touchdown
In a tight game against Pittsburgh, rookie Kaleb Johnson let a kickoff roll past him, and George Holani pounced. The ball stayed in bounds and wasn’t touched by the return team, meaning Holani could legally recover it in the end zone for a touchdown.
It’s a rare play, but a perfectly executed one that gave Seattle a two-score cushion and essentially iced the game.
vs. Saints - Tory Horton’s electric punt return and D’Anthony Bell’s blocked punt
Seattle didn’t need much help against a struggling Saints squad, but they got it anyway. Horton’s 95-yard punt return touchdown set a franchise record and put the game on ice early.
Moments later, D’Anthony Bell got a hand on a punt that set up another score. That’s two massive special teams plays in the first quarter-hard to come back from that.
vs. Cardinals - Jason Myers delivers the dagger
Myers had a hiccup late, missing a kick that could’ve extended the lead to double digits. But when it mattered most, he nailed the game-winner.
Given Seattle’s history of kicking woes in Arizona, this one had to feel especially sweet.
vs. Commanders - Fumble forced and recovered by two undrafted rookies
Seattle hadn’t forced a fumble all season through seven games. That changed thanks to Jared Ivey, who knocked the ball loose from Jaylin Lane.
Connor O’Toole, another undrafted rookie, was right there for the recovery. One play later, rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo scored his first career touchdown.
That’s how you swing momentum.
vs. Falcons - Blocked field goal and a 100-yard return
Sam Darnold handed Atlanta a short field with a bad interception, but Nick Emmanwori erased it with Seattle’s second blocked field goal of the season. Then came the knockout punch: Rashid Shaheed’s 100-yard kickoff return touchdown, the longest play in the NFL this year.
That sparked a second-half explosion that turned a 6-6 slugfest into a 37-9 blowout.
vs. Colts - Myers goes 6-for-6, including the game-winner
No touchdowns? No problem.
Jason Myers did all the scoring himself, going a perfect six-for-six on field goals. His 56-yarder to win it was the longest game-winning kick in Seahawks history.
Without it, Seattle doesn’t sit atop the NFC standings.
vs. Rams - Shaheed strikes again
Shaheed’s punt return touchdown was the turning point in a game Seattle might not have won otherwise. The Rams were in control until that moment.
After the game, Los Angeles fired their special teams coordinator-a move that tells you just how devastating that return was.
The Few Blemishes
No season is perfect, and there have been a couple of hiccups. Chimere Dike took a punt 90 yards to the house for Tennessee.
Myers had a routine kick blocked against Houston. And Shaheed has been a little too eager to fair catch punts inside the 10-yard line-a risky habit that can backfire.
But here’s the thing: the Seahawks haven’t turned the ball over on special teams all year. Michael Dickson hasn’t had a single punt blocked or even tipped.
That kind of consistency is rare.
Bottom Line
When you add it all up-field position, scoring plays, turnovers, and clutch moments-Seattle leads the league in special teams Expected Points Added (EPA). They’re not just helping the team win; they’re winning games outright.
This is what happens when talent, coaching, and execution all come together. The 2025 Seahawks have turned special teams from a liability into a lethal weapon. And if they keep this up, they won’t just be remembered for a great season-they’ll go down as one of the greatest special teams units in NFL history.