The Seattle Seahawks are within the win column once more after a whole shutdown of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs offense. Whereas the ultimate rating was 20-3, the sport was rather more lopsided than that, and higher purple zone offense would’ve led to an much more emphatic scoreline.
Given the San Francisco 49ers loss earlier within the day, this was an enormous alternative for the Seahawks to get again into the NFC West race and switch their season round. They took full benefit and reminded everybody that after they maintain the errors to a minimal, they’re nonetheless one of many NFL’s finest.
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Let’s get to Winners and Losers!
Contents
Seattle Seahawks Winners
There’s no person higher at extensive receiver proper now than Jaxon Smith-Njigba
May I lead with anyone else? By halftime he had 6 catches for 129 yards and a landing, and it actually ought to’ve been 8/142/1 if not for a few screens that have been thrown as laterals. His remaining stat-line was 9/150/1 to proceed his outrageous follow-up season to his Offensive Participant of the 12 months 2025 season.
We’ll quickly be speaking about JSN not simply as among the finest receivers within the NFL, however among the finest receivers to have ever performed the sport. And in a super world, he’ll spend each single a type of seasons as a Seattle Seahawk.
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Emanuel Wilson grinds out a workmanlike 100-yard efficiency
If Kenneth Walker not getting 100 yards (or actually being all that efficient in any respect) was not some earth-shattering shock going up in opposition to the vaunted Seattle run protection, who had Emanuel Wilson going for 100? The majority of his bulldozing got here within the fourth quarter when the Chiefs protection was worn out and Wilson had time to work. His 21-yard landing run offers him his fourth general TD on the 12 months, and he is effectively on tempo to set a profession excessive in speeding yards.
Wilson’s position is straightforward: north-south, bodily runner who can provide you some assist as a receiving again. He is not flashy however he is a playable again with the correct blocking and proper play-calls. When Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Value return, Wilson ought to nonetheless get some touches.
Sam Darnold, even with the interception, performed very effectively
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By the point I hit publish on this text I might be underneath the covers and loud night breathing my life away. I totally count on some dissenting voices so far as placing Sam on the Winners listing due to how unhealthy that finish zone interception was. There is not any excusing the choose, however it was additionally roughly the one blemish on a extremely environment friendly evening. He received the ball out shortly, on time, and precisely. He scrambled for essential first downs, did not take any sacks, and out of doors of the choose he additionally wasn’t forcing doomed passes into tight protection.
Darnold appeared comfy and in command of the offense nearly all evening, and his deep balls to Jaxon Smith-Njigba have been a factor of magnificence to observe. I can stay with Darnold’s mind cramps when he is largely productive and enjoying profitable soccer. It is the previous two weeks wherein Darnold turns into a legal responsibility greater than the answer. Tonight, Darnold appeared much more like 2025 Darnold, and he did so in opposition to a Steve Spagnuolo protection.
Brian Fleury (considerably) quiets the critics
Talking of Seahawks underneath fireplace, Brian Fleury wanted the offense to look cohesive and purposeful. I will not faux it is excellent and I will not faux it is optimum to always must convert third and medium or lengthy, however would you quite they present they’ll convert in apparent passing conditions or not? I assumed so.
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Fleury had solutions for conditions wherein the offense had struggled, and he outfoxed Spags. A variety of the offensive woes have been poor participant execution, however I do not assume Fleury has put the Seahawks in the very best positions to succeed. He did a a lot better job settling Sam Darnold early, utilizing play-action extra effectively even in decrease quantity, and utilizing the run sport to assist restrict the possessions within the sport. Kansas Metropolis had few alternatives to reply, whereas the Seahawks did sufficient with their possessions. There’s nonetheless so much to work on so far as getting performs in faster and never short-circuiting within the low purple zone, however I used to be very proud of the circulate of the sport.
Maybe that mini-bye was the breather Fleury and Sam wanted to determine some issues out. I am wanting to see if that is greater than a one-off and the beginning of professional enchancment after a rocky begin.
George Holani did some soiled work you may admire later
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Holani had a pivotal third down conversion when he broke two tackles on a checkdown. That is not the play I wish to deal with. Holani had a key block on Darnold’s second scramble for a primary down, however he additionally slowed down Nohl Williams on the interception runback, which allowed Charles Cross to make the deal with. In impact, Holani helped save at the very least a landing and warranted the Chiefs might solely muster up a protracted discipline aim try (which was missed).
That is profitable soccer. That is 12 as One. Holani did not wow together with his touches exterior of his catch, however he gained within the margins when he did not have the ball.
A.J. Barner will get extra concerned
You needed the Barnyard? You bought it 3 times and it labored each time. Barner additionally had 4 catches for 42 yards, so he lastly was extra concerned within the passing sport as a receiving risk. He was a tipped ball away from in all probability scoring a landing within the second quarter. Joyful Nationwide Tight Ends Day, A.J!
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The offensive line did its job after which some
No sacks, solely two quarterback hits allowed, and nil holding penalties. Anthony Bradford coming again offered some stabilization if just for communication functions, not essentially blocking efficiency in itself. This was a troublesome project coping with Chris Jones and George Karlaftis whereas going through Spags’ blitzes, and the Seahawks OL gained the problem.
Nick Emmanwori is a monster
I do not assume Emmanwori has performed a greater sport in his younger profession than Sunday evening. He hassled Mahomes into an interception, lined Xavier Worthy down the sector, performed the run effectively, he did every thing you’d need out of your Apex famous person. There have been a few instances he was caught out of place on an improvised Mahomes scramble to a decent finish, however Mahomes does that to everybody.
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If Emmanwori had some form of hip factor earlier than this sport that led to a questionable designation, he might’ve fooled me when it comes to how wholesome he appeared. Emmanwori should love synth-pop as a result of he was in full Erasure mode tonight.
Ty Okada lives for Sunday nights
To this point, Okada has two profession interceptions. Each have are available in spectacular vogue on SNF. Seattle has undeniably had points changing the depth they misplaced at edge and working again, however Coby Bryant’s exit has stung far much less as a result of Okada (and Rodney Thomas II when Ty was injured) is a greater than succesful beginning security.
Tyrice Knight continues filling in properly for Drake Thomas
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The primary play of the sport, T-Knight received juked out by Kenneth Walker. He had Walker in his hip pocket the rest of the evening, closing up holes and doing an exemplary job together with his run matches all through the evening. Seattle’s linebacker depth was as soon as a query mark in the beginning of 2025 (exterior of Ernest Jones IV, after all). It’s now a place of quiet power.
Derick Corridor leads the move rush
Whew! I have been harsh on Seattle’s edge group for not being productive sufficient, however after a gradual begin the Seahawks edges capitalized on Kansas Metropolis’s backup tackles. Corridor was excellent and recorded a strip sack, plus he had a number of pressures. Hell, even Dante Fowler Jr was doing stuff! Mahomes was sacked simply as soon as however you may really feel that DeMarcus Lawrence, Corridor, Uchenna Nwosu, and Fowler have been rushing Patrick up.
Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy dominate
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Need to know why K9 might barely do something? As a result of these two management the road of scrimmage in addition to any pair of d-tackles within the NFL. Murphy nearly had a sack earlier than Mahomes hurriedly threw the ball away, whereas Williams was a menace in opposition to the run and speeding the passer.
Mike Macdonald thrives within the gut-check second
This was about as near a disaster scenario because the Seahawks have had underneath Mike Macdonald. Possibly at the very least since they have been 4-5 on the bye week in 2024. Macdonald had the Seahawks prepared from the phrase “Go” and the top end result was a complete beatdown of a beforehand 5-0 staff. This was a fork within the highway second within the season and Seattle met that second, which is a testomony to Macdonald as a coach.
Seattle Seahawks Losers
The purple zone offense must be higher
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Three journeys to the purple zone, zero touchdowns scored. Pre-snap penalties proceed to be a problem, and for the lifetime of me they must cease mechanically working on first down when they’re goal-to-go. Any NFL offense can run play-action and leak a decent finish out after a chip and launch or simply sneak them throughout the formation. Seattle refuses to try this. The working sport is presently not adequate to do what Brian Fleury and Mike Macdonald need, so lean into your passing sport strengths. And, after all, Sam cannot throw a horrible choose ultimately zone when he does throw it.
Ultimate Notes
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What was up with Kenneth Walker leaving instantly for the locker room? I do know he dapped up his previous teammates pre-game, however he seemingly did not trouble with post-game handshakes or jersey swaps. I assume K9 turns into the most recent distinguished ex-Seahawk to right away face his former staff and are available away with an L, becoming a member of Russell Wilson and DK Metcalf.
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Irv Charles is clearly making a constructive impression on kick protection duties. Seattle did quit one other huge kick return, however in any other case the particular groups was nice. Charles began the night with a deal with on a kick return to place the Chiefs in sub-optimal discipline place. I can see why Seattle needed his providers.
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Tory Horton has a giant alternative forward of him. Accidents to Rashid Shaheed, Velus Jones Jr, and Charles Cross have been the one bummers of the evening. I am not nervous about Jones’ harm as a result of Seattle is getting guys again quickly, and except Cross has a extreme harm, we have seen Josh Jones fill in adequately for him earlier than. Shaheed being out opens the door for Tory Horton to provide on offense in methods Shaheed hasn’t, all whereas protecting the particular groups risk that Shaheed possesses. Horton had a great kick return within the third quarter and is a potent returner in his personal proper.
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Uchenna Nwosu might be getting fined for that horse-collar on Patrick Mahomes. Not a lot debating that one as a penalty and one that can get him some cash docked.
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The 12s, as normal, have been superior. There have been a number of Chiefs followers they usually had little or no to cheer for, whereas the Seahawks followers have been electrical underneath the lights as normal.
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Seattle’s ball safety held up. No fumbles for the primary time since Week 1. What a aid.
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There’s nonetheless a ton of labor to be completed, however this was a giant constructing block. The Chicago Bears are more healthy, extra dynamic, and current a better problem for the Seahawks protection than Kansas Metropolis. There are few instances in historical past the place you may say that about any Bears offense, however it’s true. If the Seahawks can beat the Bears subsequent Monday, they will be 5-3 and certain closely favored to beat the Arizona Cardinals at house and a flailing Las Vegas Raiders staff in a highway sport that can perform like a Seahawks house sport. The NFC West race remains to be firmly in San Francisco’s management, however Seattle clawed itself again into competition with this end result. That is what champions do, and we could look again on this superior evening because the turning level in Seattle’s season.