Stacy Rost: There’s important context to Seahawks’ runaway win

A win’s a win, right?

I’ve never bought into that, and I doubt you do.

Seattle Seahawks win: Observations | Reaction | Recap | Box score

Yes, wins are important. We know this! They’re the most important thing, really. No matter the final score, winning is all that matters, and any player or coach being interviewed after a game will tell you as much. But they know, and you and I know, that we measure wins a bit differently. And we do it, as always, with context.

Here’s the context: the Seahawks entered the season with some concern from critics who lamented the trades of DK Metcalf and Geno Smith, but they were by no means the rebuilding group coming out of New Orleans. The Saints began the season 0-2, both one-score losses to the Cardinals and 49ers. And despite a disappointing home record carrying over from 2024, the Seahawks were 7.5-point favorites on Sunday.

It would’ve been a disappointing loss if the Seahawks came up short, especially at Lumen.

But consider a different kind of win against this struggling NFC South team. If the Seahawks turned the ball over three times and trailed the Saints through three quarters before catching up and sinking a game-winning field goal, you’d leave the stadium breathing a sigh of relief, but also with more than a few concerns about an offense we’re all still learning about.

Instead, fans left Sunday having known for the better part of three hours that their team would win. It may not have made for a Week 3 thriller, but it did make a statement.

That’s how you cash it in. 💸

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/ItyX10pE8B

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 21, 2025

The Seahawks tallied 21 points through the first 10 minutes alone thanks to two massive plays on special teams. First, rookie Tory Horton’s 95-yard punt return (the longest in franchise history and first since 2015) gave Seattle its second touchdown of the day. Then a blocked punt by safety D’Anthony Bell gave Seattle another shot deep in Saints territory. Two plays later, Ken Walker bulldozed in from 3 to score and make it 21-0.

The Seahawks’ 44 points Sunday was their most since 2022. And this is the third consecutive week the Seahawks’ defense held an opponent to 17 points or less, and the third consecutive week they registered at least one interception.

Read it like a book. 😤

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/6QcxwPrLrc

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 21, 2025

Of course, that doesn’t mean this team is entering a primetime divisional matchup on Thursday night without areas of focus (they surely want to continue to produce on third down after finishing sub-35% again). But five total touchdowns and dominance in all three phases is a massive explanation point for a team that carried so many offensive question marks.

A bonus: some evening up in the NFC West. Last weekend the division was 7-1 with Seattle carrying the sole loss. This week brought stiffer competition.

Seattle got a shot at a Saints team that had already faced the Cardinals and 49ers (and put up more points against New Orleans than both of those teams combined), while Arizona and San Francisco had to face off against each other. Meanwhile, an impressive outing from the Rams fell just short in a loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles.

The division still doesn’t have a team with a losing record, but it also doesn’t have three who are undefeated anymore.

Next up for the Seahawks: a quick turn around for Thursday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals.

Rookie Tory Horton scores longest punt return TD in Seahawks history

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