Seahawks vs Raiders (Week 10): Five things to watch at Allegiant Stadium

The Story

The Seahawks travel to Las Vegas for their Week 10 matchup with the Raiders on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium, as Seattle seeks to build on momentum from last weekend’s win over the Cardinals that improved its record to 5-4.

Las Vegas enters the game led by first-year head coach Klint Kubiak, who got the Raiders off to a quick start by winning his first three games, before the team has since lost five of six. The Raiders will also be turning to rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza for his first NFL start after Las Vegas traded veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Vikings this week.

Here are five storylines and matchups the Seahawks will be watching during their matchup with the Raiders:

First, both head coaches—Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Kubiak—have familiarity with each other’s systems from their time together in Seattle, where they worked on turning the team into a championship contender. Macdonald said it “feels like a divisional game,” adding that while there is familiarity, each side “also [has] a foundational understanding of what they already decided to do,” creating opportunities to react as the game unfolds. Macdonald also pointed to “parallels” in how the Raiders’ offense is built and said he respects how it has evolved around the players they have.

Second, Mendoza’s first start presents a challenge for Seattle’s pass-rush-and-coverage plan, especially because there is almost no tape of the Raiders’ offense with Mendoza at quarterback. Seattle defensive tackle Byron Murphy II said the lack of tape makes it “a bit challenging,” but also emphasized the unit’s confidence that it can get after Mendoza by rushing “as one” with high-level communication. Macdonald also noted that limiting success for a rookie quarterback is a task Seattle has shown it can handle; since Macdonald became head coach in 2024, the Seahawks have faced four rookie quarterbacks and have won all four games.

Third, Seattle will look to keep building off its improved run-game and offensive spark from last week. Running backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price returned from injury after Seattle’s Week 8 loss to the Bears, playing more snaps and getting more touches against the Cardinals. The Seahawks credited that boost as both backs combined for 164 of Seattle’s 295 total yards, including 77 rushing yards for Charbonnet and 54 receiving yards for Price on four catches. Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said the team is “building momentum,” and he expects the confidence and readiness of both players to “continue to grow.” Seattle will also be aiming to capitalize on a Raiders defense that ranks last in rushing defense (151.2 yards per game), total defense (385.4), and points allowed (29.8), while also needing to protect the ball given the Seahawks’ 14 turnovers.

Fourth, the Seahawks’ secondary coverage will be put under a spotlight again with Nick Emmanwori tasked with limiting a top tight end. After Gardner Minshew targeted All-Pro tight end Trey McBride eight times on a play sequence against the Cardinals, Emmanwori broke up one of those passes, which was the only time McBride was targeted on that set while Emmanwori was covering him. Earlier this season, Emmanwori also covered George Kittle in coverage plays where Brock Purdy completed one pass for minus-1 yard. Through this season, Emmanwori has allowed 19 receptions for 121 yards on 27 targets, and his 4.5 yards per target allowed is the lowest among Seahawks defensive backs with at least 10 targets. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV said having Emmanwori “balling” and covering helps “eliminat[e] a guy,” even as the team shares responsibility for limiting the impact of an elite tight end.

Fifth, Seattle will try to recreate the explosiveness it has shown with playmakers even though it struggled to produce an explosive play last week. The Seahawks won against the Cardinals without any plays of 20 or more yards, but Seattle will be aiming for more big-play opportunities against a Raiders defense that has allowed at least one explosive play on 58.2% of drives this season, with opponents reaching the red zone 61.4% of the time on those drives and those possessions ending in touchdowns 52.6% of the time.