The Kansas City Chiefs are 5-0, but the schedule is about to get tougher. A road trip to face the defending Super Bowl champions—the Seattle Seahawks—is on tap for Week 7. Other than a Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos, it's the stiffest test yet for the Chiefs, even as the Seahawks aren't quite as imposing as they were last winter.
As K.C. deals with injuries at offensive tackle and wide receiver, it will be interesting to see how Patrick Mahomes and Kenneth Walker fare against Mike McDonald. For Walker, it's a homecoming of sorts and a chance to show Seattle what they're missing after letting him walk in free agency following his Super Bowl MVP performance last February.
Can the Chiefs stay perfect on the season? Can the Seahawks elevate their record above .500 with a statement win? Our contributors have weighed in with their predictions.
Christian Ainsworth
After an incredible start to the season, the Chiefs suffer their first loss of the season at the hands of the reigning Super Bowl champions. The lack of offensive additions makes it impossible to overcome an elite Seattle defense, while the young Chiefs defense legitimizes some of their potential. Seahawks 24, Chiefs 20
Price Carter
Seattle has struggled to find its footing offensively, but the defense is still very good. The Seahawks are also coming off a mini-bye and playing at home. This game is tougher than it looks, especially compared to their performance in Denver. The Chiefs have to make it a priority to contain WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks haven't had much success with tight ends or running backs, both of which are areas where the Chiefs struggle defensively. Kansas City's offense will struggle from time to time, too. It feels like the game will come down to a turnover or two or a few explosive plays. The Chiefs do just enough. Chiefs 19, Seahawks 17
Matt Chabot
Kenneth Walker revenge game. The Chiefs win by two scores, and Kenneth Walker finishes with almost 200 scrimmage yards. Chiefs 24, Seahawks 13
Matt Conner
I'm likely reading too much into this, but there's something about Mike McDonald as a game planner and the current set of tackles starting for the Chiefs that has me worried. Plus the fans will be a factor. Seahawk 24, Chiefs 21
Bransen Gibson
I'm excited for this one. Kansas City has been effective but unspectacular against poor teams recently, but I expect them to kick things up a gear against the reigning champs on the road in primetime. The Chiefs will iron out their mistakes and look the most dangerous they have all season in a big Sunday Night Football win. Chiefs 27, Seahawks 17
Lyle Graversen
The Chiefs statistically have the better offense in this matchup, and while KC is allowing fewer points per game, the Seahawks actually are allowing the fewest yards per game in the NFL and are great at stopping the pass. Kenneth Walker has to carry the load again and gives the Chiefs just enough to edge out his former team. Chiefs 20, Seahawks 16
Braden Holecek
A few weeks ago, I believed this would be a matchup where Kansas City would be overmatched. It is still going to be a major challenge, especially in Seattle, but the Seahawks’ offense is one-dimensional right now. If JSN doesn’t have a monster day, Sam Darnold is susceptible to turnovers early this season. I’m banking on a shaky Darnold outing and Kenneth Walker III having a strong day against his old team as the difference in the outcome. Chiefs 24, Seahawks 20
Scott Loring
The Chiefs match up well defensively with the Seahawks, whose running game is a turnstile since Kenneth Walker departed. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get his from the slot, but the offense is so heavily weighted toward him. I trust the Chiefs to be able to out-scheme the Seahawks. Chiefs 33, Seahawks 23
Greg Morse
Sam Darnold started seeing ghosts again last weekend against the dreadful Denver Broncos. Halloween is almost here, and the reigning Super Bowl champions are in for the Sunday Night Scaries as their decision to let Kenneth Walker walk will come back to haunt them. Walker rushes for 150 and a TD in a chilling win for the Chiefs. Chiefs 24, Seahawks 10
Shawn O'Brate
The way Seattle has struggled since letting K9 go is surprising, to say the least. Their offense looks anemic without him, and I don’t think that changes on Sunday night. Even if they have the cool throwback jerseys and they’re at home in front of “THE 12”. Chiefs run all over the place, especially K9, which alleviates the pain of having so little at wide receiver for Mahomes. Chiefs win a fun game. Chiefs 33, Seahawks 26
Charles Robinson
This is really less about what the Chiefs do and more about which Sam Darnold shows up for Seattle. I like the Kenneth Walker revenge game angle here more than I do anything along the lines of "Chiefs will have to deal with the 12s", "Can Darnold reconnect with JSN", etc. KC wins ugly, again. Chiefs 25, Seahawks 20
Stacy Smith
The Chiefs are back on the road to face a desperate Seahawks team before a national audience at Lumen Field. Despite the injury bug, Kenneth Walker has a day against his former team, Kansas City forces a late Sam Darnold turnover, and the Chiefs win a close one to stay unbeaten. Chiefs 24, Seahawks 20
Hunter Stanton
Kenneth Walker is going back to his old home turf this week, and he will be THE player to watch. Chiefs win in a close one. Chiefs 27, Seahawks 20
Lucas Strozinsky
If Seattle wasn't coming off a mini-bye, my prediction might have been a little different. Kenneth Walker will want to rush for 1 million yards in this game, but this might be one of those games where it's not KC's night. Seahawks 20, Chiefs 17
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