The Detroit Lions (2-1) return to Ford Field following the team's 20-13 win at Arizona last Sunday as they face the undefeated Seattle Seahawks (3-0) on Monday Night Football. Monday's matchup marks Detroit's third in four games against an NFC West opponent and their second primetime game of the year.
Seattle is just one of five undefeated teams entering Week 4 and has won six straight over Detroit dating back to 2015. Seattle leads the overall series 13-5.
Seahawks report: In head coach Mike Macdonald's first year in charge with Pete Carroll stepping down in January, the Seahawks have started with wins over Denver, New England (overtime) and Miami for the team's first 3-0 start since 2020. A win on Monday would also mark the third 4-0 start in franchise history.
Seattle's defense has been the catalyst behind the hot start, boasting the second best defense in yards allowed (248.7) and fourth best in points allowed per game (14.3). The Seahawks limit opposing quarterbacks to just 132.3 passing yards per game, which is tops in the NFL. Safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Love rank first and third among team leaders in tackles with 26 and 22, respectively.
On the offensive front, quarterback Geno Smith is third in the league with 787 passing yards, competing 74.3 percent his passes. He has three touchdowns on the year, two of which have been caught by DK Metcalf, who is sixth in the league with 262 receiving yards. Metcalf is part of a talented wide receiver trio alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba (175 receiving yards on the year) and Tyler Lockett (138).
Starting running back Kenneth Walker III has missed the last two games after suffering an oblique injury in Week 1. Zach Charbonnet has taken the bulk of carries in Walker's place, accruing 141 yards on 40 carries (3.5 average).
Last meeting: In Week 2 of last season, Seattle edged out Detroit in an overtime thriller, winning 37-31 as each team went to 1-1 on the year. The Lions held a 14-7 halftime lead behind touchdown receptions from wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond in the first half. In the second half, Seattle jumped out to a 31-21 lead midway through the fourth, but the Lions came back after another Jared Goff to Reynolds touchdown and a Riley Patterson field goal as time expired to force overtime. Lockett sealed the deal in OT for the Seahawks with a 6-yard touchdown reception from Smith.
Quick hits:
1. Seattle has a 30-12 record (.714 win percentage) when playing on Monday night Football, which is best in the NFL.
2. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson ranks second in NFL history with a 48.0 yard punt average.
3. With 100 receiving yards in the game, Metcalf would become the first player in franchise history to record three consecutive 100-yard receiving games.
Data dive:
Stats are based on Weeks 1-3 followed by the rank.
| Team | Total Offense | Total Defense | Rushing Offense | Passing Offense | Rushing Defense | Passing Defense | Takeaways |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 399.7 (4) | 293.3 (10) | 163 (4) | 236.7 (7) | 76.7 (4) | 216.7 (19) | 3 (T-13) |
| Seahawks | 344 (8) | 248.7 (2) | 97.3 (23) | 246.7 (3) | 116.3 (15) | 132.3 (1) | 3 (T-13) |
Next on the schedule:
- Seattle: vs. New York Giants, Oct. 6, 4:25 p.m.
- Detroit: Bye
Here are five Seahawks storylines to follow into Monday evening's matchup:
1. Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe earning the confidence of teammates & coaches heading into matchup with Lions
Seattle Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe is set to make his third straight start this season because of injuries, and the 2021 sixth-round pick will make his second straight start at a hostile Ford Field. READ MORE
2. Previewing Seahawks at Lions | Seahawks Insiders Podcast
Seahawks Senior Digital Media Reporter John Boyle and Sideline Reporter Jen Mueller preview Seattle's Monday Night Football road trip against the Lions at Ford Field. LISTEN
3. Seahawks' defense gets biggest test so far in Lions matchup
Seattle currently ranks No. 4 in points allowed (14.3) and No. 1 in passing defense (132.3) but will face its strongest offensive test in the Detroit Lions on Monday night. READ MORE
4. Time for Prime Time | Hawk Talk podcast
Seahawks Executive Producer Nasser Kyobe and former Seattle wide receiver Michael Bumpus preview the team's first primetime matchup of the season in Week 4. LISTEN
5. Geno Smith: "This is going to be a great challenge for us"
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith addresses the media, explaining the team's approach to playing in a hostile Ford Field on Monday Night Football and handling defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson. WATCH
