Alright, Seattle, listen up! The reigning-champion Seattle Seahawks are kicking off the 2026 season tonight, hosting the New England Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl 60! This isn’t just any regular season opener; it’s a statement game right out of the gate for our Hawks. But while we’re still basking in that championship glow, the CBS Sports experts are already throwing some cold water on our 2026 division hopes.
From “Semi-Transition” to Super Bowl Champs: A Look Back
Can we talk about what an absolutely wild ride 2025 was? Nobody, and I mean *nobody*, saw our Hawks in this position heading into last season. Coming off a “nice showing” in 2024, Mike Macdonald’s first year as head coach, the team was in what looked like a serious transition. We had just moved on from quarterback Geno Smith and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, bringing in Sam Darnold at QB and Klint Kubiak to run the offense. Plus, we traded away our guy DK Metcalf! The whole vibe was more “semi-transition” than “Super Bowl contender.” Seriously, how many experts were writing us off? Too many, probably. But the NFL is full of surprises, and our Hawks delivered the biggest one, bringing home Super Bowl 60! What a run.
The 2026 Forecast: Wild Card Bound, But Division Battle Looms
So, what do these “experts” think about our chances to defend the title in 2026? CBS Sports writers, editors, analysts, and even on-air talent have weighed in, and the predictions for our Hawks are, well, a mixed bag. When it comes to the NFC West, the Rams are getting a shocking amount of love, snagging 10 votes as division favorites. Ten votes! They’re even Super Bowl favorites in these early projections. Our reigning-champion Seahawks, meanwhile, only managed to grab 5 division nods. Five! And get this: San Francisco somehow got *zero* votes. Seriously, zero. It just feels like a slap in the face to our Super Bowl champions, doesn’t it?
The good news? Our Hawks aren’t being completely disrespected. Despite not being picked to win the division, the Seahawks *are* projected to make the playoffs as a wild card team, pulling in 10 votes for a spot. That’s more than the Eagles (7 votes) and the Bears (6 votes) in the wild card race. So, the path is there, it just might not be the direct route we’re used to or expect for a team fresh off a championship.
Tonight, we kick off the season as the reigning Super Bowl champions. This isn’t just a game; it’s the start of us proving those experts wrong again. The division might be a battle, but with Coach Macdonald and Sam Darnold leading the charge, you know the 12s are ready for whatever comes. Let’s get loud for the Hawks tonight and show the league who the real champs are!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
Leave a Reply