Hold up, 12s, did you see this? FOX Sports just dropped their list of *real-deal* Super Bowl contenders for the 2026 season, and guess who made the cut? Our Seattle Seahawks! We’re talking about a short list, seven teams total, picked as “legitimate championship threats” by Steven Ruiz. This isn’t just some early season chatter, this is a national sports outlet saying our squad has what it takes to go all the way. Seriously, get hyped!
The Emerald City Squad Is Getting Respect
This is exactly the kind of energy we need heading into the season, right? Steven Ruiz over at FOX Sports wasn’t messing around, only putting seven teams on his absolute top-tier list. And yeah, the Seahawks are right there alongside some heavy hitters. We’re talking the Los Angeles Rams, the Baltimore Ravens, the Buffalo Bills, the Denver Broncos, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Houston Texans. That’s some elite company, and our boys are standing shoulder to shoulder with them. This isn’t some ‘maybe’ list, this is a ‘they *can* win it all’ list. And honestly, after that gritty 13-10 win against the New England Patriots, it just feels *earned*, doesn’t it? That was a tough, defensive battle where the team showed some serious resolve, especially with the game on the line. Starting the season with a win *and* this kind of national recognition? You just love to see it. It shows the league is watching, and they’re noticing the potential brewing right here in the Emerald City.
Cincinnati’s Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers
Now, let’s talk about who *didn’t* make that elite cut. Cincinnati, despite having Joe Burrow at quarterback and an offense known for putting up points, plus their supposedly “new-look defense,” was “conspicuously absent.” Ruiz didn’t throw them any bones, instead shunting them into a second group of teams. He put the Bengals in the category of squads that “could sneak into the Super Bowl , but they aren’t winning it.” Ouch. That’s a pretty big distinction right there. Ruiz specifically questioned whether Cincinnati could finally deliver an elite season, focusing his concern primarily on their defense. He straight up called their defensive unit “mediocre” this year. He acknowledged that their offense has “the potential to reach some serious highs” with Burrow and company, but that defensive question mark is apparently holding them back from true contender status. It really highlights how crucial a complete team effort is, not just an explosive offense. While the Bengals are still in the “broader Super Bowl conversation,” they’ve got to prove they belong in that top tier once the games really get going. Meanwhile, our Hawks are already there, according to the experts.
What’s Next for Our Super Bowl Contenders
The season’s just getting started, and our Seattle Seahawks are already validated as a legitimate championship threat and coming off a solid win against the Patriots. The momentum is building, the national media is taking notice, and the 12s are absolutely buzzing. This recognition isn’t just talk, it’s a challenge. We know this team has the drive, and now they’ve got that extra bit of fuel from being recognized as one of the league’s top-tier teams. We’ve got to keep showing up, keep grinding, and prove that FOX Sports got it absolutely right. What a start to the 2026 campaign! Let’s go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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