Seattle Seahawks vs Jacksonville Jaguars: Week 6 Matchup Features Strength-on-Strength Battle

The Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars face off in Week 6 in what promises to be a compelling clash of styles and key playmakers. Both teams enter with playoff aspirations, and Sunday’s contest at TIAA Bank Field will test the strengths and depth of each roster.

Seattle has leaned heavily on its run game all season, ranking among the NFL’s top teams in rushing attempts and yardage. Zach Charbonnet’s emergence as a dual-threat running back has been a welcome development, especially with quarterback Sam Darnold still settling into the Seahawks offense. Darnold’s growing connection with standout receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has added another layer to Seattle’s attack. Smith-Njigba has shredded zone defenses all year, and with Jacksonville lacking shutdown corner Tyson Campbell (traded earlier this season), expect the Seahawks to target him frequently on intermediate routes.

However, Jacksonville’s defense has been especially stingy against the run, allowing just 3.5 yards per carry and frustrating opposing backfields weekly. The Jaguars’ ability to control the line of scrimmage will force Seattle to adapt, possibly shifting more toward the passing game. That puts added pressure on Darnold to outperform Jacksonville’s aggressive front seven and capitalize on mismatches in the secondary.

On the other side of the ball, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues searching for rhythm with his top wideouts. Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter showed promise in last week’s late-game surge, but consistency remains a question. Jacksonville’s offensive line has been a sturdy foundation—ranking top three in both pass and run block win rates—but multiple key injuries could thin out the rotation and expose vulnerabilities.

With both defenses presenting unique challenges, this matchup may come down to which quarterback can best exploit mismatches and which team wins critical battles in the trenches. Look for a tightly contested game where turnovers and red zone execution could tip the balance in this pivotal AFC-NFC showdown.