Observations from Seahawks’ runaway win over Falcons

After sputtering through the first half, the Seattle Seahawks throttled the Atlanta Falcons in the second half for a runaway 37-9 road win on Sunday.

Seahawks win 37-9 | Instant Reaction | Box score | Standings

With the victory, the Seahawks improved to 10-3 and ensured they will remain at least tied for first place in the NFC West with the Los Angeles Rams.

Here’s what stood out from Seattle’s latest triumph.

Special teams were special once again

The Seahawks entered the day with the second-best special teams unit in the NFL, according to FTN Fantasy’s DVOA rankings. And once again, Seattle’s third phase was a difference-maker on Sunday.

Midway through the second quarter, talented rookie safety Nick Emmanwori came racing off the edge and used his 6-foot-3 frame to block a field-goal attempt with a spectacular diving extension. And later on, speedy trade deadline addition Rashid Shaheed opened the second half with a 100-yard kick return touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 13-6 lead and sparked their runaway win.

Those two massive special teams plays amounted to a 10-point swing that helped Seattle weather a slow start from its offense.

HOUSE CALL ON THE RETURN!!! Rashid Sha-Speed Demon 😈#ProBowlVote + @RashidShaheed

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/TOjKXwg1Iq

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

Offense finds groove in 2nd half

After Seattle’s offense mustered a season-low 219 total yards in last week’s shutout win over the Minnesota Vikings, there was a bit of deja vu for the first 30 minutes on Sunday. The Seahawks got off to a slow start with just six points and 111 total yards in the first half, including an interception by Sam Darnold and a pair of sacks.

But after the break, Darnold & Co. righted the ship. Seattle scored 24 points on its first four possessions of the second half, beginning with an eight-play, 88-yard touchdown march. Along the way, the Seahawks piled up 254 yards in the second half, with Darnold completing 11 of 15 second-half passes for 182 yards and three TDs. And perhaps most importantly, there were no turnovers or sacks allowed by Seattle over the final two quarters.

Made it look too easy. 🙂‍↔️ TOUCHDOWN.#ProBowlVote + @CooperKupp

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/0hHrB3ERkJ

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

Emmanwori’s big day

Emmanwori was already having a standout rookie campaign. On Sunday, the ultra-talented second-round draft pick took it to another level with the best game of his young career.

Emmanwori’s aforementioned blocked field goal was a sensational display of athleticism. He also had an impressive play late in the first half where he shot through a gap, flew into the backfield and upended running back Tyler Allgeier for a tackle for loss. In the third quarter, Emmanwori came up with his first career interception by making a diving snag off a pass that was deflected by teammate Devon Witherspoon. And in the fourth quarter, Emmanwori raced through a gap on a blitz and brought down quarterback Kirk Cousins for the first full sack of his career.

Emmanwori finished with a blocked field goal, an interception, a sack and two tackles for loss. He’s the first NFL player since 2010 to record a blocked field goal, an interception and a sack in the same game.

Not on his watch. 🚫#ProBowlVote + @Eman7Nick

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/ThlSGHipQB

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

Shaheed makes his splash

Shaheed had a quiet first four games with the Seahawks after they acquired him in a trade deadline deal with the New Orleans Saints in early November. But on Sunday, the speedy wide receiver/kick returner had a breakout performance.

Watch: Shaheed sparks Seattle Seahawks with 100-yard kick return TD

The highlight, of course, was Shaheed’s aforementioned 100-yard kick return to open the second half. But he also had a big day on offense, catching four passes for 67 yards. Early in the third quarter, he had a key third-down reception that moved the chains and extended Seattle’s 88-yard TD drive. And early in the fourth, he got open downfield for a 33-yard reception on third-and-6 that extended another TD drive.

The Seahawks will need another legitimate No. 2 receiving weapon behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba down the stretch. And perhaps, this is a sign that Shaheed is up to that task.

Reed, Love make their returns felt

The Seahawks got a pair of key defensive players back from injury on Sunday, as veteran defensive tackle Jarran Reed returned after missing the previous four games and Pro Bowl safety Julian Love returned after missing the previous eight games. And in their returns, both of them made their presence felt.

Reed, who was wearing a club on his right hand after undergoing surgery to repair a wrist/thumb injury, used that hand to punch the ball free from star running back Bijan Robinson on a third-and-1 carry from the Seattle 18-yard line early in the second half. Witherspoon recovered the fumble, which ended a promising Atlanta drive and preserved Seattle’s 13-6 lead.

Love, meanwhile, made an impressive third-down pass breakup on the Falcons’ opening series of the game, knocking the ball out of tight end Kyle Pitts’ hands as he was trying to haul in a deep throw downfield.

J-REED PUNCHED IT OUT ➡️ WITHERSPOON RECOVERED IT #ProBowlVote + Jarran Reed#ProBowlVote + @DevonWitherspo1

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/YmwZ5UzOrz

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) December 7, 2025

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