The 2007 Seattle Seahawks season was the franchise's 32nd season in the National Football League (NFL), sixth season in Qwest Field and the ninth under head coach Mike Holmgren. The team improved on their 9–7 record in 2006 and secured its fourth consecutive NFC West division title and its fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Also, the team set an NFL record for the fewest penalties since the NFL expanded to a 16-game season, with 59. In the playoffs, the Seahawks defeated the Washington Redskins in the wild card round, but fell to Holmgren’s former team, the Green Bay Packers, in the divisional round.
Pro Football Reference argued that the 2007 Seahawks gained the easiest schedule of any 21st century NFL team: they never opposed any team with a better record than 10–6 in any of their sixteen regular season encounters, and played only two opponents with that record. Divisional matchups had the NFC West playing the NFC South and the AFC North, whilst based on common positions from 2006 the Seahawks also opposed the Chicago Bears and the Philadelphia Eagles – both of whom fell to last in stronger divisions.
Punt returner Nate Burleson broke the Seahawks single season punt return yardage record this season with 658 yards.
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 NFL Draft took place on April 28–29, with the Seahawks picking 55th overall (2nd round), selecting Cornerback Josh Wilson.
Coaching staff and roster
Coaching staff
Head coach Mike Holmgren entered his ninth year with the Seahawks. It is the second to last year on his existing contract.
The Seahawks hired former Atlanta Falcons head coach Jim L. Mora to be the new defensive backs coach and assistant coach to Mike Holmgren. A former player at the University of Washington, Mora is considered a hometown guy.
The new special teams coach was Bruce DeHaven. His previous position was as the special teams coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Final roster
Team captains
For the 2007 season, the NFL has allowed permanent captains for each team to wear a "C" patch on their right shoulder. The patch is in team colors with four stars under the "C". A gold star is placed on a bar below the "C" signaling how many years (with a maximum of four years) that player has been captain. For the Seahawks, the team captains are:
Matt Hasselbeck
Lofa Tatupu
Mack Strong
Deon Grant
Josh Brown
Niko Koutouvides
Departures
Defensive end Grant Wistrom instead of having his contract renegotiated following the 2006 season decided to retire. Wide Receiver Darrell Jackson was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for the 120th pick in the 4th round of the 2007 NFL Draft. Tight end Jerramy Stevens was released following a DUI arrest in Arizona, later he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tight end Itula Mili was released in January to make room for wide receiver Ben Obomanu. Center Robbie Tobeck retired the day after the loss in the 2006 NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Chicago Bears.
Arrivals
Defensive end Patrick Kerney signed with the Seahawks after being with the Atlanta Falcons. Safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell signed with Seahawks after being with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns.
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
Bold indicates division opponents. Source: 2007 NFL season results
Postseason
Standings
Game summaries
Preseason
Week P1: at San Diego Chargers
Week P2: at Green Bay Packers
Week P3: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week P4: vs. Oakland Raiders
Regular season
Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Seahawks began the 2007 campaign at home against its 1976 expansion mate, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the first quarter, Seattle trailed early as Bucs kicker Matt Bryant kicked 38-yard and 32-yard field goals. In the second quarter, Seahawks kicker Josh Brown nailed a 28-yard field goal, then the Seahawks took the lead when RB Shaun Alexander powered in for a 1-yard TD run. After a scoreless third quarter, Seattle sealed the victory with Brown's 46-yard field goal and a 34-yard TD pass from QB Matt Hasselbeck to RB Maurice Morris.
With the win, the Seahawks began a season at 1–0 for the 4th time in the past 5 years.