The Detroit Lions (2-1) return to Ford Field after their 20-13 victory in Arizona last Sunday to face the unbeaten Seattle Seahawks (3-0) on Monday Night Football.
This is Detroit’s third game in four weeks against an NFC West opponent and their second primetime appearance of the season.
Seattle is one of five remaining undefeated teams entering Week 4 and has beaten Detroit six times in a row since 2015. The Seahawks lead the all-time series 13-5.
Seahawks report: Under first-year head coach Mike Macdonald, who replaced Pete Carroll in January, the Seahawks have opened the season with wins against Denver, New England (in overtime), and Miami, marking their first 3-0 start since 2020. A win Monday would give them their third 4-0 start in franchise history.
Seattle’s defense has been key, ranking second in yards allowed (248.7) and fourth in points allowed per game (14.3). They limit opposing quarterbacks to just 132.3 passing yards per game, the best in the NFL. Safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Julian Love lead the team in tackles with 26 and 22, respectively.
On offense, quarterback Geno Smith is third in the league with 787 passing yards, completing 74.3% of his passes. He has three touchdowns, two of which have gone to DK Metcalf, who ranks sixth in the league with 262 receiving yards. Metcalf is part of a talented wide receiver trio, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba (175 yards) and Tyler Lockett (138).
Starting running back Kenneth Walker III has missed the last two games due to an oblique injury suffered in Week 1. In his absence, Zach Charbonnet has carried the load, rushing for 141 yards on 40 attempts (3.5 average).
Last meeting: In Week 2 of last season, Seattle won a thrilling overtime game against Detroit, 37-31, as both teams moved to 1-1. Detroit led 14-7 at halftime with touchdown receptions from Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond. In the second half, Seattle pulled ahead 31-21 in the fourth, but Detroit tied the game with a Jared Goff touchdown pass to Reynolds and a last-second field goal by Riley Patterson. Lockett’s 6-yard touchdown in overtime won it for the Seahawks.
1. Seattle has a 30-12 (.714) record on Monday Night Football, the best in the NFL.
2. Seahawks punter Michael Dickson ranks second in NFL history with a 48.0-yard average per punt.
3. With 100 receiving yards in the game, Metcalf could become the first player in franchise history with three consecutive 100-yard games.
Data dive:
Stats through Weeks 1-3, followed by rank:
TeamTotal OffenseTotal DefenseRushing OffensePassing OffenseRushing DefensePassing DefenseTakeawaysLions399.7 (4)293.3 (10)163 (4)236.7 (7)76.7 (4)216.7 (19)3 (T-13)Seahawks344 (8)248.7 (2)97.3 (23)246.7 (3)116.3 (15)132.3 (1)3 (T-13)
Here are five Seahawks storylines to follow for Monday’s game:
1. Seahawks tackle Stone Forsythe is earning the trust of teammates and coaches as he prepares for another start at Ford Field.
2. Seahawks insiders preview the team’s Monday Night Football game against the Lions.
3. Seattle’s defense, ranked fourth in points allowed and first in passing defense, faces its toughest test yet against Detroit’s high-powered offense.
4. A podcast preview of the Seahawks’ first primetime game of the season in Week 4.
5. Geno Smith discusses the challenge of playing in a hostile Ford Field environment on Monday Night Football.
