| Team: | Seattle Seahawks |
| Year: | 1978 |
| Record: | 9–7 |
| Division Place: | 3rd AFC West |
| Coach: | Jack Patera |
| General Manager: | John Thompson |
| Owner: | The Nordstrom family |
| Stadium: | Kingdome |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | WR Steve Largent |
| Ap All-Pros: | QB Jim Zorn (2nd team) WR Steve Largent (2nd team) |
| Shortnavlink: | Seahawks seasons |
The 1978 Seattle Seahawks season was the team's third season in the National Football League (NFL). 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 touchdowns, number two in the league. Steve Largent made his first Pro Bowl with 71 receptions and 8 touchdowns. 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 until 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 touchdown. 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.
See main article: 1978 NFL draft.
| Jerome Carter | Defensive back | Delaware State | |
| Gene Dales | Guard | Oregon State | |
| Lance Garrett | Wide receiver | South Carolina | |
| Marcus Hatley | Tight end | Tulsa | |
| Mike Korvas | Punter | Weber State | |
| Rob Lowe | Kicker/Punter | Idaho | |
| Steve Midboe | Defensive end | Minnesota | |
| Mike O'Brien | Defensive Back | California | |
| Scott Palmer | Quarterback | Anderson | |
| Frank Stephens | Defensive Back | UCLA | |
| Howard Studdard | Wide receiver | USC | |
| Skip Taylor | Running back | Oklahoma State | |
| Jeff Tisdel | Quarterback | Nevada | |
| Bruce Timmier | Quarterback | Trinity | |
| Joe Volinsky | Defensive end | Penn State |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego Chargers | W 17–9 | 1–0 | Kingdome | Recap | ||
| 2 | at San Francisco 49ers | W 20–6 | 2–0 | Candlestick Park | Recap | ||
| 3 | Los Angeles Rams | L 7–26 | 2–1 | Kingdome | Recap | ||
| 4 | Chicago Bears | W 16–7 | 3–1 | Kingdome | Recap |
Source: Seahawks Media Guides[2] [3]
With the start of a 16-game season, inter-conference play began a rotating schedule. Divisional matchups had the AFC West playing the NFC Central.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Game site | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3 | San Diego Chargers | L 20–24 | 0–1 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 2 | September 10 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–21 | 0–2 | Three Rivers Stadium | Recap | |
| 3 | September 17 | at New York Jets | W 24–17 | 1–2 | Shea Stadium | Recap | |
| 4 | September 24 | Detroit Lions | W 28–16 | 2–2 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 5 | October 1 | at Denver Broncos | L 7–28 | 2–3 | Mile High Stadium | Recap | |
| 6 | October 8 | Minnesota Vikings | W 29–28 | 3–3 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 7 | October 15 | at Green Bay Packers | L 28–45 | 3–4 | Milwaukee County Stadium | Recap | |
| 8 | October 22 | Oakland Raiders | W 27–7 | 4–4 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 9 | October 29 | Denver Broncos | L 17–20 | 4–5 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 10 | November 5 | at Chicago Bears | W 31–29 | 5–5 | Soldier Field | Recap | |
| 11 | November 12 | Baltimore Colts | L 14–17 | 5–6 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 12 | November 19 | at Kansas City Chiefs | W 13–10 | 6–6 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap | |
| 13 | November 26 | at Oakland Raiders | W 17–16 | 7–6 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | Recap | |
| 14 | December 3 | Cleveland Browns | W 47–24 | 8–6 | Kingdome | Recap | |
| 15 | December 10 | at San Diego Chargers | L 10–37 | 8–7 | San Diego Stadium | Recap | |
| 16 | December 17 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 23–19 | 9–7 | Kingdome | Recap |
Bold indicates division opponents.
Source: 1978 NFL season results[4] [5]