Seattle’s rise to 3-1 has the league taking notice as a stingy defense and a high-IQ offense, led by Sam Darnold and a breakout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, reshape playoff chatter. Week 5 versus Tampa Bay tests their ceiling, while Nick Emmanwori’s potential return could shore up coverage. If Seattle can unlock the ground game, a deep playoff push becomes plausible and the front office gamble on the QB has paid off in a big way.