In the push to retain first place in the NFC West, the 6-4 Seahawks prepare to face the 3-7 Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. We are 20 years removed from the 2002 NFL realignment that saw the Seahawks leave the AFC West. The former division foes face off for the fifth time in 16 seasons in a regular season game. Now, Seattle faces a familiar foe with playoff implications on the line. Here are some connections between the former division rivals.
Bruce Irvin: How The West Was Won
Outside linebacker Bruce Irvin returned to Seattle for his third stint with the team in October, filling a big need for support off the edge. In 2012, Seattle selected Irvin with the No. 15 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. Irvin was a big contributor to the team's Super Bowl XLVIII run, a focal point of one of the most-dangerous defenses of the last decade.
Irvin spent three years with the Raiders between 2016-18, finishing as forced fumbles co-leader in his first season. In three seasons with the team formerly located in Oakland, Irvin recorded 11 forced fumbles along with 18 sacks.
Gabe Jackson: Reunited at Lumen Field
Offensive guard Gabe Jackson is in his second season with Seattle since being acquired from the Raiders via trade last March. On Sunday, Jackson will face the team that selected him in the third round of the 2014 draft. Jackson played 100 games for the Raiders over seven seasons, starting all but one.
The Mississippi State alum played in his first and only career playoff game with the Raiders in 2016, losing 27-14 to the Houston Texans in the AFC Wild Card.
Quinton Jefferson: What Happens In Vegas, Stays In Vegas
Defensive end Quinton Jefferson joins Irvin as another former Raider on their third stint in Seattle. In his first and only season in silver and black in 2021, Jefferson recorded a career-high 4.5 sacks, along with 47 total tackles and two forced fumbles.
Jefferson is inching closer to surpassing that career high through 10 games this season, recording three sacks.
Look for Jefferson to bring his A-game - along with some unique cleats to Sunday's matchup.
Tanner Muse: Opportunity in Seattle
Linebacker Tanner Muse is earning his snaps in his second season in the Emerald City. The Raiders' 2020 third-round selection out of Clemson has played in every game this season for Seattle.
Nagging foot injuries prevented Muse from ever playing a snap for the Raiders, resulting in his release at the start of the 2021 season.
Sidney Jones IV: Fresh Start in Las Vegas
After two seasons in Seattle, cornerback Sidney Jones IV will return to Lumen Field in silver and black. Over 19 games in college navy and action green, Jones forced 10 pass breakups along with 71 tackles.
Shelby Harris: Raiders Draft Pick
Defensive end Shelby Harris was selected by the Raiders in the seventh round of the 2014 draft out of Illinois State. Harris would play eight games in his first two seasons, recording his first sack.
In March, Seattle acquired Harris as part of the blockbuster trade that sent former Seahawk Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos. Through 10 games played this season, Harris has recorded 26 tackles, 2 sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and two pass deflections, and on Sunday he'll be facing a former time for the second time this year.
Jacob Hollister: Seattle to Sin City
Raiders tight end Jacob Hollister spent 2019-20 in Seattle, catching 66 passes for 558 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Wyoming alum is on his second stint with Las Vegas this season, after being released in September.
Carson Tinker: Week in Vegas
Seahawks long snapper Carson Tinker has signed with five franchises since 2020, after spending 2013-18 with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
One of the stops on Tinker's traveling tour before landing in Seattle saw him spend a week with the Raiders in 2021. After signing on December 1, Tinker was released on December 9 after long snapper Trent Sieg returned from the Reserve/COVID list.
Sanjay Lal: Quality Control
Passing game coordinator and receivers coach Sanjay Lal returned to Seattle in February after a season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Week 12 sees Lal facing off against the franchise that gave him his first league opportunity.
A member of the 1992 Washington Huskies National Champion squad, Lal received a training camp invite from the Raiders in 1993. After several years working up the college ranks, the Raiders hired Lal as offensive quality control coach in 2007. From 2009-11, Lal served as receivers coach in Oakland before spending three seasons with the New York Jets.
The Seahawks rookie class surprised shoppers at Safeway in Kent, WA on November 22, 2022, buying their groceries or handing out gift cards for patrons gathering last-minute items in preparation for Thanksgiving.
