1978 Seattle Seahawks season
The 1978 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's third season in the National Football League. The Seahawks won nine games, giving the franchise its first winning season. Coach Jack Patera won the National Football League Coach of the Year Award at seasons end.
Led by the third ranked offense, the team had some achievements. David Sims led the AFC in total touchdowns – 15, including 14 rushing – and the team had 28 rushing TDs, number two in the league. Steve Largent made his first Pro Bowl with 71 receptions and 8 TDs. Quarterback Jim Zorn earned his sole All-Pro honor of his career by making the second team. This would be the only All-Pro by a Seahawks quarterback till Russell Wilson was selected in 2019. The defense, however, lagged far behind ranking 26th.
Season highlights included defeating the Oakland Raiders twice and a last-second win over the Minnesota Vikings. Also a memorable game was a 20–17 loss in overtime to the Denver Broncos. Following an interception of a Jim Zorn pass off of a deflection, in overtime, the Broncos drove to the 1 yard line, but could not punch it in for a TD. Jim Turner missed an 18-yard field goal attempt, but the Seahawks were penalized for having 12 men on the field and the Broncos made the second kick. A 37–10 defeat in San Diego in week 15 eliminated the Seahawks from playoff contention, but a 23–19 win at home against Kansas City gave the team their first winning season.
1978 NFL draft
Personnel
Staff
Final roster
- Starters in bold.
- Denotes players that were selected for the 1979 Pro Bowl.
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
With the start of a 16-game season, inter-conference play began a rotating schedule. Divisional matchups have the AFC West playing the NFC Central.| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | NFL.com recap |
| 1 | September 3 | San Diego Chargers | L 20–24 | 0–1 | Kingdome | |
| 2 | September 10 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–21 | 0–2 | Three Rivers Stadium | |
| 3 | September 17 | at New York Jets | W 24–17 | 1–2 | Shea Stadium | |
| 4 | September 24 | Detroit Lions | W 28–16 | 2–2 | Kingdome | |
| 5 | October 1 | at Denver Broncos | L 7–28 | 2–3 | Mile High Stadium | |
| 6 | October 8 | Minnesota Vikings | W 29–28 | 3–3 | Kingdome | |
| 7 | October 15 | at Green Bay Packers | L 28–45 | 3–4 | Milwaukee County Stadium | |
| 8 | October 22 | Oakland Raiders | W 27–7 | 4–4 | Kingdome | |
| 9 | October 29 | Denver Broncos | L 17–20 OT | 4–5 | Kingdome | |
| 10 | November 5 | at Chicago Bears | W 31–29 | 5–5 | Soldier Field | |
| 11 | November 12 | Baltimore Colts | L 14–17 | 5–6 | Kingdome | |
| 12 | November 19 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 13–10 | 6–6 | Arrowhead Stadium | |
| 13 | November 26 | at Oakland Raiders | W 17–16 | 7–6 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | |
| 14 | December 3 | Cleveland Browns | W 47–24 | 8–6 | Kingdome | |
| 15 | December 10 | at San Diego Chargers | L 10–37 | 8–7 | San Diego Stadium | |
| 16 | December 17 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 23–19 | 9–7 | Kingdome |