How much interest will the NFL and its networks have in the Seahawks under Sam Darnold?
We’re one day away from the release of the 2025 Seattle Seahawks regular season schedule. While we know which teams Seattle will face, we don’t know the order, dates, kickoff times, or the networks, which is why we do pointless but fun exercises like the one I’m about to do right now!
Once again, I’m predicting which games could wind up as bright light nights for the Seahawks, ranking by best chance to slim-and-none. For simplicity’s sake, prime time matchups consist of ‘Thursday Night Football’ on Amazon Prime Video, ‘Sunday Night Football’ on NBC, and ‘Monday Night Football’ on ESPN/ABC. We know the Seahawks won’t be playing on Black Friday or the Christmas night game, so even special holidays look unlikely for Seattle.
I didn’t do too badly last year in saying they would play the Detroit Lions on MNF and host the Green Bay Packers in prime time, so let’s see if I fare any better this time.
As a reminder: teams are allowed a maximum of six prime time games, with a seventh permitted for Week 18. The same divisional matchup is no longer allowed to be in prime time twice.
Best chance
vs. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
The storyline is already built! It’s Sam Darnold against the team he unexpectedly led to 14 wins and yet somehow that wasn’t enough to win the NFC North, much less secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. The J.J. McCarthy era is expected to begin this season after McCarthy’s unfortunate meniscus injury last preseason, and the Vikings have been huge spenders in free agency. Also, the Vikings and Seahawks played a great game last year and once had a three-year stretch playing in prime time. Sunday Night Football at Lumen Field, anyone?
at/vs. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
It’s interesting how infrequently Seahawks vs. Rams has been chosen for national broadcast in recent years. They’ve had Thursday Night Football clashes in 2019 and 2021 and Sunday Night Football in 2019. That’s it. Given either a final playoff spot or the division has come down to tiebreakers over the past two years between these teams, I feel like the networks will take interest.
at/vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-11)
Meanwhile, the Seahawks-49ers rivalry has repeatedly been on national television despite Seattle’s predominantly non-competitive performances against San Francisco. It’s a rivalry that sells and the 49ers aren’t projected to be 6-11 bad again this year.
at Washington Commanders (12-5)
The Commanders will be trendy Super Bowl picks this year after their stunning run to the NFC Championship Game. Dan Quinn knows a thing or two about the Seahawks, as does Bobby Wagner. Jayden Daniels is looking like a superstar in the making and they’re going to be loading up on prime time games without question. I can see this being a Sunday or Monday night matchup.
Decent chance
vs. Houston Texans (10-7)
The Texans were considered Super Bowl contenders last season but it never really panned out that way. Injuries and an inconsistent offense undermined Houston’s quest for a deep playoff run, although they still won their division and reached the AFC Divisional Round. With a stout defense, a new offensive coordinator, and a rebuilding offensive line, I wouldn’t sell stock in Houston as a national TV draw.
vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
Whether it’s Tom Brady or Baker Mayfield at quarterback, the Bucs keep winning the NFC South. Tampa Bay quietly had one of the best offenses in the NFL last year and are an entertaining watch. It’s hard to really give any NFC South team a major national TV push given how collectively mediocre the division has been for years.
at Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
No doubt the Falcons will be expected to contend for the NFC South title if not win a playoff game. Michael Penix Jr has the obvious local connection as a former Washington Huskies star and is off to a good start with Atlanta. At the very least, the Falcons could have one of the most explosive and exciting offenses in the league just off of Penix’s arm, Drake London’s hands, and Bijan Robinson’s legs. If not national TV, this could be a featured Sunday game on FOX or CBS.
Small chance
at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
This comes with a major caveat. If the Steelers really just stick with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard as the quarterbacks, then there’s only so much as “DK Metcalf against his former team” storyline can do. Pittsburgh already has bigger in-division matchups plus the Buffalo Bills and NFC North, so the Seahawks may not rank high on national TV priority.
at/vs Arizona Cardinals (8-9)
Arizona performed above expectations last year and was in the playoff hunt through Week 16. Not bad for a team that had only two national broadcast appearances, of which one came after playoff elimination. The Cardinals are still not a glamorous team with a big national presence, so any prime time date with the Seahawks would probably be on a Thursday night or as the lesser of the doubleheader matchups on Monday.
Virtually no chance
vs. New Orleans Saints (5-12)
This is a juiceless matchup. There’s no national appeal in Klint Kubiak calling plays against his former team. One of Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, or Jake Haener will be New Orleans’ starting QB as they seem destined for a rebuild.
at Tennessee Titans (3-14)
The Titans have a few notable ex-Seahawks in Tyler Lockett, Dre’Mont Jones, and Cody Barton… and that ain’t enough for this to really be prime time worthy. Cam Ward could be positioned a bit better than your typical No. 1 overall pick with the overhaul of the Titans offense, but they’re not likely to be on national TV much this year.
vs. Indianapolis Colts (8-9)
Anthony Richardson is in a QB competition with Daniel Jones, who sadly knows how to beat the Seahawks in Seattle. It’s hard to take the Colts seriously as anything but mediocre until further notice.
at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13)
Travis Hunter might be a marvel to watch, but the Jaguars have failed to build upon their 2022 playoff run and are not exactly strong favorites to be in this year’s playoffs. With a new coach in Liam Coen, ideally Trevor Lawrence’s potential can be reached, but that ain’t enough for Seahawks-Jaguars to be a national TV game.
at Carolina Panthers (5-12)
I believe the Panthers could be contending for a playoff spot this year, provided that Bryce Young’s late improvement after his benching is sustainable. But it’s also not particularly likely that the NFL will be loading up on Panthers prime time games until they’re clearly good; they don’t get endless big market benefit like the New York Giants or Chicago Bears.
Final prediction
Home prime time games: vs. Vikings (SNF), vs. Rams (TNF)
Away prime time games: at 49ers (MNF), at Falcons (MNF)
1:25 PM PT featured doubleheader kickoff: N/A
Non-featured regional coverage: at Panthers (10 am), at Steelers (10 am), at Jaguars (10 am), at Titans (10 am), at Commanders (1:25 pm), vs. Texans, vs. Buccaneers, vs. Colts, vs. Saints, at/vs. Cardinals, vs. 49ers, at Rams
Your turn! Make your predictions in the comments!
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