Seattle, WA
Salk: 4 things Seattle Seahawks can answer in 1st big challenge
The Seattle Seahawks are 3-0, and it’s funny how that statement – while undisputedly true – can generate some immediate, argumentative responses.
Seahawks at Lions Info: TV, radio, uniforms and more
“It’s still September” is one, and it is equally as true.
“They haven’t played a good team yet” is another, but that one is a little more complicated. The Broncos have two wins, thanks mostly to a defense that has played very well since leaving Seattle. The Patriots have seemingly gotten worse, and the Dolphins … well, they’re a mystery because of their quarterback situation. So perhaps the truer statement would be that the Seahawks haven’t played a team with a legitimate, veteran starting quarterback.
That will definitely change when they meet Jared Goff and the Lions in Detroit on Monday Night Football.
The Seahawks have gotten off to a tremendous start. They seem to have a clear sense of who they are and how they want to win. They have made in-game adjustments to correct problems on the fly. They have suffocated opposing passing games and tackled much better than any of the past few seasons. They survived a physical battle across the country with an early start time. Given the assigned schedule, they have accomplished nearly everything asked of them.
But that ask grows in Detroit where they will meet a foe more talented, more physical, better coached, and with loftier expectations than any of the three teams they have already beaten. It will obviously be a greater challenge, but more than that, it will be a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this team and what they might be capable of accomplishing.
Four questions for Seahawks’ first big challenge
• What does this defense look like against a real passing attack with a legit veteran starting QB and real weaponry?
This is the biggest difference between the Lions and the three teams in the Seahawks’ rearview mirror. Goff isn’t elite, but he is certainly a capable starter with a ton of experience. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, Tim Patrick and Jameson Williams are a talented quartet of receiving threats that can beat you in a variety of ways. No one will confuse this offense with the weaponless Patriots, quarterback-less Dolphins, or weaponless and quarterback-less Broncos.
Will Seattle’s secondary continue to shut down everything in its path? I believe this is an extremely talented group that is exceptionally well-coached – they should give good offenses fits. But I wouldn’t expect Goff to miss some of the throws we’ve seen missed against the Seahawks so far, and I would expect him to make some more plays even when defenders are in good positions.
The Hawks don’t need to hold Detroit under 150 passing yards (as they have to each of their first three opponents), but keeping the Lions in check would sure make Seattle’s earlier accomplishments seem more indicative of this defense’s capabilities.
• How will this defensive line hold up against an excellent offensive line?
Unfortunately, the Seahawks are going to be without four of their top defenders up front, so we may not get the complete answer to this question. Setting the edge without Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe will be a challenge. Clogging the rush lanes won’t be any easier without Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy. And the three of these players who have seen the field in the first three games have been instrumental in their early-season success rushing the passer.
Seattle Seahawks Injury Report: Four key defenders out against Lions
But this will be the most complete offensive line they’ve faced, even without Lions starting center Frank Ragnow (who is hurt and was hilariously said to be “put down” by coach Dan Campbell). Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell might be the best tackle combo in the league, and Detroit’s guards are physical and solid. They run block, pass block, communicate and move people. I was really looking forward to seeing how the Seahawks handled this test.
Now it will be even tougher. We’ll find out just how much Derick Hall has really improved. We’ll see how good the Seahawks’ depth is behind Jarran Reed and Jonathan Hankins. We’ll see if coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde can scheme and coach their way through a gauntlet without their top weapons. Cool.
• Is this team ready for a primetime game?
There is something different about being under the lights and in the national spotlight. The Seahawks have played two of their three games at home, and the other was in New England where the rebuild is underway. None of those games were featured by CBS or Fox; most of the country had no idea they were even happening! This is their first chance to play with the pressure and knowledge that America is watching.
Primetime football was a Pete Carroll specialty. The former Seahawks coach was an astounding 29-5-1 at night until falling back in his last couple of seasons. His teams were hyped for those moments and often played with an extra gear, not to mention their penchant for bizarre endings and controversy.
What will this look like under Macdonald’s more serious approach?
• Can they play physical, complementary football against a team that does that as well as anyone?
Perhaps the thing that has stood out most from the first three games of the Macdonald era is how physically they have been played. They have been violent, nasty affairs that have often left both teams a little beat up in the process. While the defense has clearly been the better unit, it’s not like this is the 2024 Mariners: heroic pitching coupled with malfeasant hitting. The wins have been complete team victories and the three phases of the game have all complemented each other. The physical tone has carried from one group to another and everything has fit neatly together.
As much as that has defined the early start to this Seahawks season, it has been the Lions’ calling card for the last few years. Ever since Campbell took over and gave Detroit an identity it had sorely lacked for at least a generation, the Lions have played physical, complementary ball. While it won’t quite be like looking in a mirror, in many ways Detroit is a model for the style that Seattle is looking to play. If styles make fights, this one should be a slobberknocker.
Nothing will be determined after four games. In fact, even a blowout loss could be written off as a bad night, especially given the extent of Seattle’s injury situation. But this is an opportunity to learn quite a bit about these Seahawks, and a win would certainly raise the expectations to a new height.
More Seattle Seahawks coverage
• Macdonald previews Seahawks’ Monday night showdown in Detroit
• Bump: How Seattle Seahawks can keep NFL’s sack leader in check
• With strong start to 2024, where does Geno Smith rank in QB hierarchy?
• A Seahawks trend that’s impressed Big Ray and Wyman
• Grubb shares details on Seattle Seahawks’ ongoing right guard battle
Seattle, WA
Outreach groups respond to the reported relocation cycle of Ballard’s homeless population
SEATTLE — As people voice concerns about an encampment in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, outreach groups are detailing their efforts and fighting back against encampment removals.
The outreach group We Heart Seattle said it checks on the people in an encampment of at least 20 people weekly to offer water, snacks, personal hygiene items, and access to treatment.
RELATED | Ballard encampment grows after city removes nearby site along Burke-Gilman Trail
The group told KOMO it believes more can be done at the city level, from policy to housing, to get the homeless connected with shelter and services.
A woman working at the Fred Meyer off NW 45th Street and 9th Avenue captured video of a fire near tents at an encampment across the street. A day later, off camera, she told KOMO News she worries about the safety of the people living in the tents and Ballard neighbors, in addition to concerns about alleged open-air drug use at the encampment.
“We became homeless because of certain situations, and we turned to drugs, and unfortunately, addiction comes next, you know?” Crystal Rawlings told KOMO News. She has set up her tent on multiple streets in Ballard, and said she’s approaching one year of being opioid-free.
She believes there’s been more city outreach since the start of the new mayoral administration to connect people living on the streets with services, but knows there’s not enough transitional housing for everyone who needs or wants it.
She and the Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger urge the city to stop encampment removals that push this group to another block.
RELATED | City removes Ballard encampment as neighboring businesses raise housing concerns
“We’re not abominations. We’re not obstructions, and we’re not trash, so stop sweeping us,” Rawlings stated.
The city is still aiming to reach Mayor Katie Wilson’s goal of adding 1,000 new units of shelter in 2026 and recently opened a tiny home village in nearby Interbay, but fell short of the goal of 500 new units by June.
Andrea Suarez with We Heart Seattle estimates at least 20 people living on the street keep getting moved around Ballard, from behind the Albert Lee store to Leary Avenue to NW 45th Street behind the Fred Meyer.
“This encampment has people that’ve been homeless for more than five years. We know their names and faces. They’re still here. They’re still stuck in late-phase addiction, frankly because it’s permitted,” Suarez explained.
RELATED | Viral makeshift homeless shelter with chimney dismantled by Seattle city crews
She believes a camping ban on city sidewalks would help encourage more people to accept shelter, and help stop the cycle of moving people without
“It is an underserved community. I think it is unfair,” Suarez added. “We’ve tried to balance between enablement and really giving people a hand up, but without the teeth and backup for the work of outreach workers, it starts to feel futile, and that’s why we get burned out.”
The mayor’s office was working to send data about its homeless response in Ballard as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger estimates there have been nine Ballard-area encampment removals so far this year.
SEATTLE – Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington. Eastern and central Washington will reach near 100F with high fire danger. The coast and north interior will be cooler, only in the 60s to 70s.
Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds. Lightning strikes could create new fire starts and, with very dry conditions in place, any new fire could spread quickly.
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds.
What’s next:
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms. The heaviest showers will be in the morning hours and will turn more scattered into the evening hours.
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and chance of thunderstorms.
Looking Ahead:
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine. We will start to see highs reach the upper 80s to low 90s by early next week.
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine.
MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE
6-year-old Bellingham, WA boy dies from injuries after beach driftwood accident
Grandmother thwarts Pike Place kidnapping, Seattle police make arrest
‘Transfer Fire’ near Lake Chelan, WA hospital prompts evacuation notices
Here’s where WA wildfires are currently burning
Seattle office vacancy crisis shifts tax burden onto homeowners
Thurston County, WA couple desperate to find dog after Rover sitter vanishes
Husband of pregnant wife killed in Seattle sues King County homeless authority
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
The Source: Information in this story came from the FOX 13 Seattle Weather Team and the National Weather Service.
After so many disappointing seasons with the interior offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks made a commitment last offseason to improve the unit. They started one big step at a time by drafting North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel in the first round, 18th overall pick, of the 2025 NFL Draft. This one was one of the last steps for the Seahawks to create one of the most productive offenses in the NFL.
Zabel wasn’t perfect in his rookie season, but he was good enough to validate the decision to draft him in the first round, and he showed improvement. Zabel is already a favorite among some Seahawks fans and some media outlets as they love his determination and spirit. It was a big jump from the FCS collegiate level to the NFL and this season, he has a chance to show why he might be a top-half-of-the-league guard.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Higher?
The Seahawks wanted a determined workhorse when looking for a guard. That’s exactly what they got in Zabel. Last season, he appeared in 1,051 snaps, which is only 10 fewer snaps than right tackle Abraham Lucas, who had the most offensive snaps. Zabel got better as the season progressed. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 81.5 and a run-block grade of 81.2 in Week 14 through the NFC Championship Game.
There were times last season when he looked like a monster against several defenders. He was pushing some defenders completely out of the way on pulling plays and even ran to defenders after the pass-catcher caught the ball. This is the mentality the Seahawks expect him to have going into his second season in the league. He has more experience and the complete trust of the team to be a franchise player on par with Lucas and left tackle Charles Cross. If he continues to improve, he will be another steal for the Seahawks.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Lower?
There were times last season when he didn’t quite catch up to the learning curve of the NFL. Zabel allowed two sacks, four hits and 24 pressures in 2025. The Seahawks expect those numbers to decrease significantly as he is experienced and capable of playing at an efficient level. While Zabel is impressive, he might not be the best player the Seahawks have selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. That honor belongs to slot cornerback Nick Emmanwori, who is stepping up to be the steal of the draft.
Zabel is easily one of the best second-year players and is one of the top offensive linemen, but there are players behind him because they haven’t proven to be consistently explosive for the Seahawks. There is going to be even more pressure on him this upcoming season. The Seahawks hired a more run-friendly coach in Brian Fleury as offensive coordinator. His ranking at the end of the season might be much better if he improves, or worse if he fails to reach expectations.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Super Bowl champions from Seattle Seahawks On SI —
Sign Up For the Seahawks Daily Digest – OnSI’s Free Seattle Seahawks Newsletter
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
-
Alaska5 minutes agoICE: Alaska state attorney arrested by immigration officials, held in Tacoma detention center
-
Arizona11 minutes agoArizona Lottery Powerball, The Pick results for July 15, 2026
-
Arkansas17 minutes agoAGFC proposes WMA regulation | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
-
California23 minutes agoBecerra leads Hilton by wide margin in California governor’s race, new poll finds
-
Colorado29 minutes agoSee where the new Colorado Connector train will stop
-
Connecticut35 minutes agoThis Connecticut barbecue restaurant is ‘beloved’ for a reason.
-
Delaware41 minutes agoDelaware oversight commission debates authority to reject utility rate hikes
-
Florida47 minutes agoFlorida preacher buys VT campus to build Christian college | Fox News Video
