The Seattle Seahawks halted the Kansas City Chiefs' perfect season with a decisive 20-3 victory on Sunday night in Seattle. Frustrated by a two-game losing streak, the Seahawks (4-3) approached this matchup with playoff-level intensity, led by standout performances on both offense and defense.
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba made nine catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 257 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Running back Emanuel Wilson contributed significantly, rushing for 100 yards and scoring a touchdown on 24 carries. “Playing a team like Kansas City and all the killers that they got on that side, we knew how big this game was, and we wanted this one badly,” said Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s leading receiver and reigning Offensive Player of the Year. “We saw it as a playoff game.”
The Seahawks' defense played a crucial role in the victory, holding Kansas City (5-1) to its lowest offensive output of the season. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw for just 165 yards with one interception, struggled to find his rhythm under consistent pressure. Former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III, now playing for the Chiefs, was limited to a season-low 36 yards on 14 carries. Walker entered the game averaging 133 yards per game but was effectively neutralized by Seattle’s stout defense, which has not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 36 games.
“Listen, all three phases we struggled, so we’ve got to do better, and that’s my responsibility,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said. “I take full responsibility for this. We’ve got to play better as a team.”
Seattle took an early lead with a 25-yard field goal by Jason Myers in the second quarter. Their advantage expanded after Darnold connected with Smith-Njigba on a 28-yard touchdown pass, making it 10-0. Myers added another field goal in the third quarter to increase the margin to 13-0. Despite a 50-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to put the Chiefs on the board, missed opportunities plagued Kansas City, including a wide-right miss by Butker on a 45-yard attempt.
Wilson’s 21-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for Seattle. “I think this game reminds the guys what we’re capable of,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said after the game. “I think our guys understand that there’s more levels to where we can go.”
Seattle’s defensive dominance overshadowed a milestone for Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who recorded four receptions to bring his career total to 1,104, moving him into fifth place in NFL history for most catches.
Both teams faced notable absences during the game. The Seahawks ruled out running back Zach Charbonnet, who returned to the active roster after an ACL injury last year. The Chiefs were without receiver Rashee Rice, who missed his third consecutive game with a hamstring injury, and starting tackle Jaylon Moore, who is in concussion protocol.
The Chiefs will look to bounce back when they visit the Denver Broncos next Sunday, while the Seahawks aim to build on their momentum heading into their next matchup.