Your Defending Champion Seahawks Are Predicted To Win 10-11 Games, But ESPN Thinks The Rams' New Defense Will Dethrone Them

Alright, 12s, you gotta see this. ESPN's Football Power Index just dropped their predictions for the upcoming 2026 NFL season, and while our beloved Seahawks are right there in the mix, there's one team they're already trying to crown ahead of us. Seriously, it's June, and they're already talking about dethroning the defending champs! We're talking about the squad that brought the Vince Lombardi trophy back to Lumen Field.

The Emerald City's Reign Continues, Mostly

Let's start with the good news, because there's plenty of it. Your Seattle Seahawks, the reigning NFL champions, are on ESPN's list of the top 10 winningest teams for the 2026 season. That's right, Mike Macdonald's crew, with Sam Darnold slinging it to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, is expected to keep rolling. The FPI predicts we'll notch between 10 and 11 wins this year, which for most teams would be cause for celebration. We're in good company too, with teams like the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles also making the cut. But as defending champs, "good company" just isn't enough, is it?

The Rams Are Coming for the Crown, According to ESPN

Now, for the part that's gonna boil your blood a little. ESPN's FPI has the Los Angeles Rams leading their list for most wins in 2026. The same Rams that we know well from the NFC West. Why are they so high on them? Well, they re-signed their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, who's also the reigning NFL MVP. On top of that, they made some big moves, trading for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett to beef up their defense. ESPN straight up says these moves are "strengthening their defense" and that the Rams are "looking like the clear-cut candidate to dethrone the Seahawks." Dethrone us? After we just lifted the trophy? We just won the whole darn thing, and they're already pushing the narrative that someone else is going to take our spot at the top. So, here we are, 12s, heading into another season with a target on our backs. The pundits are already trying to put someone else in our rightful place, even after our incredible run to the championship. This prediction just sets the stage for what's going to be an absolutely electric season. It's on us, and on our guys like Matty Beniers and Joey Daccord for the Kraken, or Julio Rodriguez and Cal Raleigh for the Mariners, to prove everyone wrong, but right now, the talk is all about the Rams taking our crown. Let's see them try!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.