This Wednesday, we’ll receive the schedule details for the Seattle Seahawks’ 2024 regular season. Following the NFL’s 17-game format, the AFC and NFC alternate which conference gets the extra home game, and this year, it’s the NFC’s turn to have the 9/8 home/road split.
However, in an interesting twist, the Seahawks will actually have 11 home games.
It may sound perplexing, but it’ll become clear shortly.
Seattle will host 9 regular season games at the raucous Lumen Field. While it hasn’t been the most formidable home advantage in recent times, that narrative is expected to shift under the guidance of new head coach Mike Macdonald.
Interestingly, there are two “road” games that are essentially just home games with a few travel miles accrued.
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Just over 20 years have passed since the establishment of Ford Field. In 2006, Seattle made their first visit to the Detroit Lions stadium for Super Bowl XL. We won’t be discussing that game. Josh Brown booted through the winning points as the Seahawks defeated the Lions 9–6 on opening day the next season.
It would take until 2012 for the Seahawks to visit Detroit again, as the Lions prevailed 28-24, largely due to a tremendous performance by Titus Young, who recorded a career-high nine receptions, 100 yards, and two touchdowns against the Legion of Boom. Given that Detroit finished the season with a 1-8 record, this loss was terrible in retrospect.
Since then, the Seahawks have notched three consecutive victories at Ford Field. In 2018, a commanding 28-14 win featured Russell Wilson delivering a near-flawless performance, completing 14 of 17 passes for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns. Following suit, Geno Smith continued the trend of triumph in Detroit. The culmination of the Pete Carroll era witnessed a Scorigami moment, as Seattle clinched a 48-45 classic victory propelled by Geno’s 369 yards of total offense and 3 touchdowns, with Riq Woolen securing his first pick-six.
The momentum carried into last season’s matchup, a gripping 37-31 overtime affair that dashed the Lions’ hopes in their home opener. Geno orchestrated the game-winning touchdown drive in overtime, Tre Brown notched his inaugural pick-six, and Kenneth Walker found the end zone twice. Notably, the Seahawks managed this feat despite the absence of Abe Lucas and Charles Cross.
With a current record of 4-1 against the Lions at Ford Field, the Seahawks have established a strong track record in Detroit.
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“at” New York Jets – MetLife Stadium
The Seahawks’ unbeaten streak at MetLife Stadium continues to stand strong. It all commenced with a stunning 36-25 victory in 2011 against the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. This memorable triumph included a decisive go-ahead touchdown pass from Charlie Whitehurst to Doug Baldwin, followed by Brandon Browner’s pick-six of Eli Manning.
In the subsequent meeting with the Giants at MetLife Stadium in 2013, the Seahawks dominated with a resounding 23-0 victory. Eli Manning endured a challenging outing, throwing five interceptions. This win proved pivotal as it contributed to Seattle securing the No. 1 seed on their journey to Super Bowl XLVIII, held at the same venue where they emerged victorious.
The Seahawks’ sole encounter at MetLife Stadium against the Jets in 2016 resulted in a 27-17 win, featuring touchdowns by C.J. Spiller, Christine Michael, and Tanner McEvoy. It’s worth noting the controversial call involving Ryan Fitzpatrick’s purported forward pass.
Returning to MetLife Stadium in 2017 for another clash with the Giants, the Seahawks overcame a 7-3 halftime deficit to secure a convincing 24-7 victory. Paul Richardson, Jimmy Graham, and Doug Baldwin all found the end zone during the game.
Last season saw yet another dominant display by the Seahawks against the Giants, sealing a comprehensive 24-3 win highlighted by 11 sacks of Daniel Jones and a Devon Witherspoon pick-six.
MetLife Stadium has indeed become a home away from home for the Seahawks, with six appearances resulting in six victories, each by a margin of at least 10 points.