Steelers-Seahawks Preview – Super Bowl XL Rematch

When the Seatle Seahawks come to Pittsburgh for the second game of the season, it will be a rematch of a Super Bowl played many years ago. It was Jerome Bettis’s curtain call, and he retired a champion. Long gone are some stars from that game including Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El. Bill Cowher retired as head coach back in 2007 and his nose tackle was “Big Snack” Casey Hampton. Mike Holmgren led the Seattle charge but fell short, losing 21-10 as Hines Ward was named M.V.P.

Super Bowl XL was played in 2006 and now 19 years later the two teams meet again. Since that championship game the Steelers and Seahawks have met six more times, and Pittsburgh has won four of those games. All but two of the last six games were played at Heinz Field. The Steelers have won the last two in 2021 and two seasons later. Overall, 11 games have been played and during the regular season it’s an even split at 10 victories each. The Super Bowl win gives the Steelers a one game advantage. 

The Steelers began this season with a win over the New York Jets on the road while the Seahawks lost at home to San Francisco. This will be Pittsburgh for the home opener, and it should be expected that this will be a large, raucous, and noisy crowd. Seattle has their “12th man” but Pittsburgh will have their “Renegade” troopers ready to rock.

When Seattle has the ball

Quarterback Sam Darnold switched teams in the offseason signing with the Seahawks after a very impressive campaign in Minnesota. In his debut with Seattle, he was not so impressive. A quarterback rating of just 87.2, sacked once, and throwing for only 150 yards. Meanwhile, Geno Smith is in Las Vegas and faired much better. Seattle’s running game was no better. 

Zach Charbonnet was the leading rusher with 47 yards and a per carry average of 3.9. His longest run was for seven yards. Sam Darnold had the longest run of the day for nine yards. Seattle only had 84 yards on the ground. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Darnold’s primary target with a solid afternoon hauling in nine passes for 124 yards with one coming for 40 yards. 

The Steelers defense is revamped for 2025 with several new faces, and it seemed they would be outstanding this season. But they got torched last weekend by the Jets however, week two should present a lesser challenge as Seattle doesn’t have the dangerous weapons New York does. It’s only a matter of time before T.J. Watt goes off on an opposing quarterback and this could be the week.

Based on week one’s numbers, the Seattle Seahawks don’t appear to be a major challenge, especially if Pittsburgh’s defense can regroup. So, I expect their offense to struggle and Darnold to be under heavy pressure all game. 

When the Steelers have the ball

How the Seattle defense performed in a home game loss to San Francisco in the season opener bodes well for the Steelers offense. The 49ers Brock Purdy finished the game with 277 yards passing and two touchdowns. He was also sacked just once. Purdy did throw two interceptions, but Aaron Rodgers is a quarterback that does not throw many picks.

San Francisco also ran for 119 yards on the ground led by Christian McCaffrey’s 69 yards. Pittsburgh must get their running game going and Steelers fans should not worry too much about the passing game. It’s in good hands with Aaron Rodgers calling the signals given his experience and football smarts, some of which showed brightly in the win over the Jets. 

I think we will see Rodgers trying to hit his tight ends more in this one and I’m waiting for Roman Wilson to start getting some targets which I believe he will get at least one facing Seattle. But the running game will start the show and hopefully Jaylen Warren can start cranking it up. 

Intangibles

Home field advantage will be just that for the Steelers in this one. Coming off a big victory, the chance for the home crowd to get their first glimpse at Aaron Rodgers in his first home game and counting the noise factor puts the Steelers in a very good spot. This is one of those games Pittsburgh simply should not lose. They won’t. 

Prediction

I see Aaron Rodgers getting more comfortable in his new offense and the Steelers’ defense being better than what we saw in week one. Seattle coming off a loss and heading into Acrisure Stadium will be facing a fans base that will be LOUD. The Steelers win a second straight. Steelers 37 Seahawks 16.