Seahawks-raiders Week 10 Preview: Macdonald Takes Aim at Kubiak

WHO:

seahawks.com - The Seahawks are the defending Super Bowl champions.

seahawks.com - Seattle running backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price had returned from injuries for the Week 8 loss to Chicago and played more snaps and received more touches against Arizona.

raiders.com - Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza said he had improved in under-center execution, connections with teammates, and understanding of the offense.

raiders.com - Mendoza said he, Kirk Cousins, and Aidan O’Connell prepared as starters, studying video and reviewing game plans together.

raiders.com - Klint Kubiak said he was grateful to see and greet people from his former team, adding, “Después de eso, es momento de jugar” (“After that, it’s time to play”).

seahawks.com - Offensive coordinator Brian Fleury said Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price were building confidence in Seattle’s offensive concepts and readiness to carry the load.

seahawks.com - Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak previously worked together when Kubiak was Seattle’s offensive coordinator; both called plays against each other in practice.

seahawks.com - Kubiak is in his first season as a head coach. The Raiders won his first three games, then lost five of their next six.

seahawks.com - The Seahawks are 5-4; the Raiders are 4-5, according to raiders.com.

seahawks.com - Seattle’s rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick and Heisman Trophy winner, is making his first NFL start after the Raiders traded Kirk Cousins to Minnesota.

raiders.com - Mendoza said, “Me siento mucho más confiado como mariscal de campo” (“I feel much more confident as a quarterback”) and said he had improved in many areas but still had work to do.

raiders.com - Kubiak said Cousins taught Mendoza preparation methods, including organizing his week, studying video, and communicating with receivers. Kubiak said, “Espero que haya generado muchísimo conocimiento por ósmosis” (“I hope he absorbed a lot of knowledge by osmosis”).

seahawks.com - Seattle defensive tackle Byron Murphy II said the defense had little tape on Mendoza, but that he could “make all the throws”; Murphy said Seattle’s defensive line needed to rush together and communicate well.

seahawks.com - Seattle safety Nick Emmanwori defended Arizona tight end Trey McBride’s fourth-down red-zone target. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV said Emmanwori’s coverage “eliminates a guy in a sense.”

raiders.com - Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 1,036 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in nine games; he was the only player with more than 1,000 receiving yards.

WHAT:

Heavy NFL - The Seahawks had begun traveling to Las Vegas despite nationwide flight disruptions, ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported.

seahawks.com - Against Arizona, Gardner Minshew targeted Trey McBride only once during eight plays when Nick Emmanwori covered him; Emmanwori broke up the pass.

seahawks.com - The Raiders had allowed 38 points against San Francisco.

raiders.com - Brock Bowers was described as the NFL’s most productive tight end in 2026.

seahawks.com - Nick Emmanwori allowed 19 receptions for 121 yards on 27 targets in coverage this season; his 4.5 yards per target allowed was the lowest among Seattle defensive backs with at least 10 targets.

seahawks.com - Emmanwori led all NFL defensive backs with 17 pressures when rushing the passer.

seahawks.com - Against George Kittle, Emmanwori covered him for eight snaps; Brock Purdy completed one pass for minus-1 yard on those plays.

seahawks.com - The Seahawks had no plays of 20 or more yards in their win over Arizona.

seahawks.com - On Raiders opponents’ drives with at least one explosive play, 61.4% reached the red zone and 52.6% ended in touchdowns.

raiders.com - The Raiders forced 12 fumbles, the most in the NFL.

seahawks.com - Seattle’s defense allowed the fewest yards and passing yards and the fourth-fewest points in the NFL. The Raiders’ article reported Seattle allowed 244.2 yards per game, including 155.1 passing yards, and 18 points per game.

seahawks.com - Against four rookie quarterbacks since Macdonald became Seattle’s head coach in 2024, the Seahawks won all four games. Those quarterbacks recorded one touchdown and seven interceptions and averaged 4.5 yards per pass attempt; rookie quarterbacks averaged 6.5 yards per attempt league-wide. Rookie passers had a 29.9% success rate against Seattle, compared with 40.9% against the rest of the league.

seahawks.com - Seattle running backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price combined for 164 of the team’s 295 yards against Arizona. Charbonnet rushed for 77 yards; Price caught four passes for a team-high 54 yards.

seahawks.com - Las Vegas ranked last in rushing defense (151.2 yards per game), total defense (385.4 yards per game), and points allowed (29.8 per game). Seattle had 14 turnovers, tied for seventh-most; the Raiders had 14 takeaways, tied for fourth-most, including seven fumble recoveries.

seahawks.com - Tight end Brock Bowers had 658 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 48 catches despite missing two games; he had three 100-yard games, including 111 yards and a touchdown against San Francisco. Seattle’s article said the Raiders had allowed explosive plays on 58.2% of drives, a league high.

raiders.com - The Raiders’ offensive line allowed 11 sacks in nine games and had not allowed a sack against a five-or-more-player pass rush.

raiders.com - Seattle ruled out quarterback Sam Darnold, offensive linemen Charles Cross and Quenton Nelson, and defensive lineman Leonard Williams. Raiders Thomas Booker (ankle) and Dont’e Thornton Jr. (back) were questionable; the rest of the team was available without restrictions.

WHERE:

Heavy NFL - The Seahawks’ trip was to Las Vegas for their game against the Raiders.

seahawks.com - The Seahawks were scheduled to visit the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

raiders.com - The Raiders’ final practice was held at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

WHEN:

seahawks.com - The matchup was identified as Week 10 of the 2026 NFL season.

WHY:

raiders.com - Kubiak said Mendoza needed to focus on doing his job against what he called “the best defense in the NFL,” while every player fulfilled their responsibility and those around Mendoza raised their level.

HOW:

seahawks.com - Next Gen Stats defined an explosive play as a run of at least 10 yards or a pass of at least 15 yards.

seahawks.com - Macdonald said the coaches’ familiarity made the game feel “like a divisional game,” but that success would depend on adjusting during the game. He said the Raiders had evolved their offense around their available players.

raiders.com - Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard said the Raiders knew what they wanted to do but needed to execute more consistently.

The defending champion Seahawks visit Las Vegas, with rookie Fernando Mendoza making his first NFL start. Seattle’s defense leads the league in fewest yards allowed, testing a Raiders offense seeking consistency. The Raiders rank last in rushing defense, while Seattle’s returning backs gained increased roles.