Sunday Night Football in Week 7 brings a heavyweight matchup to Seattle, where the defending champion Seahawks will host the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.
The betting market doesn’t seem intimidated by Kansas City’s spotless record. Seattle opened as a 1.5-point favorite, and that number has already climbed to Seahawks -2.5, a sign that oddsmakers are buying into the home team’s defense and the chance to catch the Chiefs in a tough spot after the extra rest.
That respect makes sense on one side of the ball. Seattle’s defense ranks No. 2 in EPA/Play, and it just smothered Bo Nix and the Broncos in Week 6.
The problem is the offense hasn’t held up its end. Through six games, the Seahawks sit 25th in EPA/Play and 20th in success rate, and Sam Darnold has already thrown seven interceptions this season.
Kansas City, meanwhile, has stayed perfect even with some receiver issues. Rashee Rice missed Week 6, Tyquan Thornton is on injured reserve, and the passing game is missing bodies. Still, the Chiefs have kept rolling, and their defense was dominant in Week 6, holding the Chargers to six points in a 5-0 start.
There’s also a revenge angle hanging over this one. Kenneth Walker III is set to return to Seattle for the first time since winning Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks, and he’s been a force for Kansas City, piling up 665 rushing yards and six touchdowns in only five games after Seattle let him walk in free agency.
What makes the Chiefs even more interesting here is how they’ve performed in this exact kind of spot before. Mahomes has been a road underdog 12 times in his career, and he’s 10-1-1 against the spread and 9-3 straight up in those games.
The Chiefs have looked like one of the league’s best teams all season, and that’s enough to make them a live play even as an underdog on the board. The early lean is Kansas City getting 2.5 points in primetime.
In Other News...
Seahawks May Finally Get The Backfield Boost They Need Most
Zach Charbonnet is closing in on a season debut, and for a Seahawks offense that has been searching for more traction on the ground, the timing could hardly be better. After recovering from a torn ACL, the running back was designated to return to practice on Oct. 1, and Mike Macdonald said there is a good chance he could be back in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Seattle has needed a lift in its running game, and Charbonnets return would add a familiar piece to the backfield at a moment when the team could use one. The final step is whether he gets through the week and onto the field, but the possibility alone gives the Seahawks a different look as they head into a tough matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Trade Deadline Debate Starts With One Urgent Roster Question
Before the Seahawks make any real push toward the trade deadline, the conversation has to start with the middle of the offensive line. Seattle has been linked in recent days to a few big names, including Colts guard Quenton Nelson, Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack and running backs Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, but the clearest case may be on the interior. Nelson is drawing attention not just because of his talent, but because his contract situation and fit make him the kind of move that could actually address an obvious need without forcing the club into a long-term gamble.
The Seahawks also have some help on the way in the backfield, with Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price expected back from injury. That makes a running back splash less urgent, and it helps explain why Nelson looks like the cleaner fit if Seattle chooses to spend. The teams general manager has also shown a willingness to trade for players on expiring deals and work out new contracts later, which keeps the door open for a deadline move even if the details are still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Suddenly Linked To A Move That Could Change Their Offense
Jonathan Taylor has suddenly become one of the more interesting names to watch as the trade market starts to take shape around a Colts team that has already slid to 2-4 and is trying to sort out its future. Indianapolis recently fired general manager Chris Ballard, and the front office picture is only getting messier with reports that Peyton Manning could be in the mix as a replacement. Against that backdrop, it is no surprise that teams looking to strengthen their offense are checking in.
The Bengals are one of the clubs linked to Taylor, and the Seahawks have also reportedly inquired, which tells you how much attention a proven running back can draw when a season starts to wobble. For Seattle, it is the kind of phone call that fits a bigger search for answers on offense, even if nothing is settled yet. The real question now is whether Indianapolis is willing to listen seriously, or whether this is just the first wave of interest before the market gets even busier. [Read more 🡒]