Seahawks Struggle to Stop Red-Zone Scoring
Seattle has allowed touchdowns on 15 of 18 opponent red-zone possessions, the worst rate in the league this season.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Football
The Seattle Seahawks, now 4-4, have allowed touchdowns on 15 of their opponents' 18 red-zone possessions this season, an 83.3% rate that ranks last in the NFL. The defense's struggles were on display in a 34-17 loss to the Chicago Bears on Monday, where Chicago scored touchdowns on all four of its red-zone trips.
Why it matters
Seattle entered the season as one of the league's stingiest defenses, allowing an NFL-low 4.17 yards per play, but its inability to finish drives in the red zone has cost it games. Head coach Mike Macdonald called the performance unacceptable, putting pressure on the unit to correct the problem before its next matchup.
Seattle allows 4.17 yards per play, the lowest in the NFL, yet its 83.3% red-zone touchdown rate allowed is the league's worst. The stats show the defense is efficient between the 20s but has not finished drives near the goal line.
The players
DeMarcus Lawrence
A veteran defensive end and four-time Pro Bowler for the Seattle Seahawks, Lawrence has been a leading voice on the team's defensive line.
Mike Macdonald
The Seattle Seahawks head coach who publicly called the team's red-zone defense unacceptable after the loss to Chicago.
The details
Veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence acknowledged that opponents have been attacking his C gap, the area outside the offensive tackle where defensive ends often force running backs wide. Seattle hosts Arizona in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 8, with Arizona starting Gardner Minshew.
Timeline
2025 season: Seattle ranked fifth in red-zone touchdown prevention.
Monday: Chicago defeated Seattle 34-17.
Tuesday, Nov. 3: Macdonald criticized the red-zone performance.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Lawrence admitted his role in the struggles.
Sunday, Nov. 8: Seattle hosts Arizona in Week 9.
Season Trajectory
Seattle ranked fifth in red-zone touchdown prevention in 2025, so its current last-place ranking represents a sharp regression. That drop comes as the 4-4 Seahawks try to stay in the playoff hunt in the NFC.
Fantasy managers should consider Seattle's defense a riskier start in opposing red-zone matchups, given the 83.3% touchdown rate allowed. The Week 9 game against Arizona offers a near-term test of whether the unit has corrected its finishing problems.
The takeaway
Red-zone efficiency often decides close games, and Seattle's defense will need to tighten its finishing to keep pace in a competitive conference. Watching how the unit responds in Week 9 will show whether the problem is scheme-related or simply a short-term slump.
What happens next
Seattle hosts Arizona in Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 8, a chance for the defense to show whether its red-zone problems are fixed.
Further reading
Find more Seattle coverage in the Football section.
