Seattle
Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are grappling with multiple storylines after a taxing week. First, the league finally acknowledged a critical officiating error from their Week 5 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Safety Malik Mustapha has been fined $6,998 for a "hit on a defenseless player" against Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a crucial third-down play. This unflagged hit occurred on Seattle's final drive and, had it been called, would have placed the Seahawks in field goal range to tie the game. The NFL's retrospective fine is a stark admission that officials missed a pivotal call. Adding to the frustration, the dominant "Dark Side Defense" continues to shine, showcasing a level of play that rivals historical Seahawks units. Despite the defense's stellar performance, consistently keeping Seattle in games, the offense's inability to capitalize is drawing significant criticism. Reports suggest the defense might be playing well enough to "waste" their efforts if the offense doesn't find consistency. Quarterback Sam Darnold himself has taken responsibility for the team's struggles, particularly his seven interceptions in four games, acknowledging his turnovers are "not fair" to the defense. Coach Mike Macdonald remains steadfast, sticking with Darnold as the starter despite the turnovers, though questions about his long-term viability persist, with some fans clamoring for Drew Lock. Compounding the offensive concerns, the running back room is set to receive much-needed reinforcements. Jadarian Price is nearing a return, with Head Coach Mike Macdonald indicating a "sooner rather than later" comeback after this week's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Price has been sidelined with a chest injury since Week 4. Simultaneously, Zach Charbonnet has a chance to return for Week 7, provided he is activated from injured reserve this upcoming week, as his 21-day practice window is set to expire. The potential return of both Price and Charbonnet offers a significant boost to a backfield that has also struggled with costly fumbles.