Stacy Rost: Why this 3-2 start by Seahawks feels different

The Seattle Seahawks are 3-2 after a Week 5 loss, which is exactly where they were last year.

But does it feel like quite the same team?

Instant Reaction | Recap | Turnovers cost Seahawks | Box Score

At first glance, no. Maybe it’s because a Week 5 loss to a divisional foe stings more than a loss in a shootout against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Or maybe it’s because last year’s Week 5 loss saw an uncharacteristically horrible performance from a defense that was banged up and otherwise stellar — which feels a bit better than this year, where a turnover-filled loss came from an offense with real questions.

There are real differences, outside of just a gut feeling.

Last year’s Seahawks had one of the most explosive passing games in football, averaging the fourth-most passing yards per game through Oct. 13. They’re 11th right now. One improvement: Jaxon Smith-Njigba has more yards this year (583).

Last year’s Seahawks were the third-highest scoring offense in the first half (14.5), which was a huge part of their success. They rarely played from behind. This year’s Seahawks are 23rd in first-half scoring (9.3). It’s one of the most pronounced differences year over year, which is interesting since they’re still a top-10 scoring offense this season. But those game situations are different — even if JSN is finding the end zone and Jason Myers is nailing field goals, they’re playing catch-up, giving opposing teams points on turnovers, and putting the defense in tough spots.

Speaking of turnovers, it was the single biggest contributor to a Seahawks loss Sunday. Sam Darnold’s start this year isn’t as sharp. Even though Darnold threw 14 interceptions, six of those came in two games against the Rams. He had just three interceptions through his first five starts last season, which is also how many he’s thrown this year but in just three games (one of which he was in for just five plays).

Here’s the new wrench: Last year they didn’t have nearly as many fumbles from running backs. Kenneth Walker III didn’t lose a single fumble in 2025. This year, the running back room of Jadarian Price, George Holani and Emmanuel Wilson has combined for four lost fumbles.

Seahawks RB Charbonnet unlikely to return vs Broncos

In fact, those turnover numbers are skewing what would appear on the surface to be worse numbers from the defense year over year. But the Seahawks today held an offense that was No. 1 in third-down conversion rate to 33% (4 of 12) and registered three sacks of a quarterback who hadn’t been brought down yet.

In last year’s Week 5 loss to the Bucs, the offense put up 35 points in a back-and-forth battle with then-MVP candidate Baker Mayfield and played well enough to win. The defense didn’t, and they turned it around in Week 6 and never looked back.

On Sunday, Seattle’s defense played well enough to win. Can an offense facing even bigger questions do the same?

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• 49ers’ Greenlaw ejected for head-butting Seattle Seahawks’ Ernest Jones IV
• Rick Rizzs raises 12 Flag for Seattle Seahawks’ clash with 49ers

Related

Brock: Seahawks are ‘not playing complementary ball’Seahawks RB Charbonnet unlikely to return vs BroncosRecap: Purdy leads 2 late scoring drives, 49ers beat Seahawks 32-29Instant Reaction: Seahawks sloppy in narrow loss to 49ersTurnovers cost Seahawks in loss to 49ers49ers’ Greenlaw ejected for head-butting Seahawks’ Ernest Jones IV