The Seattle Seahawks kicked off the 2026 season with a gritty, nail-biting 13-10 victory over the New England Patriots, and if you watched it, you know every yard was fought for. But don’t let the early win make you think the league isn’t already taking notice. One of the top NFL analysts out there, Jordan Dajani of CBS Sports, just put a huge spotlight on our Emerald City squad, saying he now has “a target on my back like the Seattle Seahawks.”
The League Knows What Time It Is
Jordan Dajani isn’t just some talking head; the dude was CBS Sports’ reigning champion against-the-spread in 2025, racking up a ridiculous 148-122-2 ATS record. When he talks, people listen. For him to drop our beloved Seahawks into that kind of statement, it tells you everything you need to know about the respect (and maybe a little fear) our team has earned. This isn’t just about a single game, this is about the whole league knowing that when you face Seattle, you’re in for a fight. Dajani clearly loves Week 1, calling it his favorite betting week of the year. He says it’s “your preconceived notions vs. the sportsbook,” and sometimes, you “can rake in the dough.” But with that “target on our back,” you know every team is coming at us with their absolute best shot.
Dajani’s Early Season Insight
Beyond his thoughts on our Hawks, Dajani is diving deep into the rest of the league’s opening matchups. Take his breakdown of the Atlanta Falcons at the Pittsburgh Steelers, where the Steelers are favored by 5.5 points. He called the Falcons rushing to sign Tua Tagovailoa during the offseason one of the “weirdest moments” of the year. It seems Tua hasn’t been lighting it up, with Dajani noting he “has not looked great through preseason and in practice.” If Michael Penix Jr. were healthy, Dajani thinks he’d be starting. The Falcons have some serious weapons in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts, but Dajani asks, “if you don’t have a quarterback, does it even matter?” Adding to their woes, Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury in practice, potentially putting Cooper Rush under center. Historically, Atlanta struggles in Pittsburgh, holding an 0-7-1 all-time record there, while the Steelers are a solid 6-2 against the spread as home favorites over the last two seasons, tied for the best mark in the NFL. Dajani is picking the Steelers to cover, with a projected final score of Steelers 20-13. He even referenced Aaron Rodgers’ impressive Week 1 career stats, showing his effectiveness with 12-6 record, 32 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, including four scores in last year’s opener, as a benchmark for opening week QB play.
So, the 2026 season is officially underway, and the Seahawks have already notched a win. More importantly, the league knows we’re here to play. That target on our back? We wear it like a badge of honor. Let’s get ready for what’s next, Seattle, because every single game from here on out is going to be a battle to defend that reputation. 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 CBS Sports.
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