‘We’re going to see exactly who they are,’ Seattle Seahawks face toughest test in quest to stay perfect

"This is a formidable opponent.”

The Seattle Seahawks are a surprising 3-0 and along with the Minnesota Vikings and the Kansas City Chiefs are only perfect teams in the NFL.

The Vikings and the Chiefs, extended their three win start to four on Sunday, while the Pittsburgh Steelers slipped to their first defeat of the season against the Indianapolis Colts.

Whether the Seahawks improve to 4-0, or drop to 3-1, will be played out in front on the Monday Night Football cameras and against a high-octane Detroit Lions in front of an amped up Ford Field crowd.

Powering their start so far is a trio of star wide receivers that ranks among the best in the league, and a schedule that - to date - has featured the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins — teams that are a combined 4-7 so far. 

Perhaps it’s incorrect to call Seattle’s success a surprise, after all,

But, after three games, quarterback Geno Smith has been pretty pedestrian in his numbers (3 TDs, 3 INTs), but trails only Jayden Daniels in completion percentage.

Starting running back Kenneth Walker III is nursing an oblique injury, and their offensive line is basically being held together by duct tape.

Outside of the play of WRs DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Tyler Lockett — who have combined for 47 catches, 575 yards, and 2 TDs — it’s difficult to point to any one thing the Seahawks do particularly well.

Despite all that, 3-0 is still 3-0, so when the NFC West-leading Seahawks travel to Detroit to battle the Lions on, former NFL pro Jason Bell will be watching closely.

After all, this is Seattle’s first true test of the young season, and Bell wants to find out if they’re contenders — or pretenders.

“This is tough for the Seahawks, because, as good as they’ve played, this is the toughest team they’ve gone against,” Bell told exclusively told talkSPORT.

“We’re going to see exactly who and what they are, because this is a formidable opponent.”

And while you’d think Seattle would be feeling the “prove-it” pressure, Bell says it’s the Lions who have the most to play for on Monday night.

After last season’s run to the NFC Championship Game, which ended a lengthy playoff drought and filled Lions fans with hope not felt since the days of Barry Sanders, the pressure is on Detroit to provide an encore.

After three games, the Lions are 2-1, but trail the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. 

“They face a lot of pressure because everyone expects a lot out of them,” Bell said.

“They’re playing good ball, and I think they’re getting better. This team has an identity; they need to play with that.

“I like how the defense has evolved, because that was the weakness [last year].

"As long as Jared Goff is able to manufacture big throws in the pocket — especially in the play-action pass game — they can get explosive. They’re playing indoors, we know [Goff] plays better like that, but this game is a challenge.”

The teams met last season at Ford Field, with Seattle winning 37-31 in overtime, another shootout is expected with offenses on top.

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