Seahawks lose to Bucs 38-35 as last-second FG ends epic QB duel

In a game highlighted by tremendous QB play, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Seattle Seahawks 38-35 on a game-ending field goal.

BY ANDREW DESTIN

Oct 5, 2025, 4:37 PM Updated: 5:23 pm

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SEATTLE (AP) — Lavonte David intercepted Sam Darnold with 58 seconds left and Chase McLaughlin kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a thrilling 38-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38, Seattle Seahawks 35: Instant Reaction | Box score

Baker Mayfield tied it for the Bucs (4-1) by throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard with 1:08 left, and the Seahawks (3-2) took over with the chance to drive for the winning score.

After a short completion to Cooper Kupp, Darnold was intercepted while throwing off his back foot and toward the middle of the field. His pass deflected off defensive end Logan Hall’s helmet and into David’s hands.

A clutch play from the veteran LB Lavonte David

TBvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/o2wNMdBu5O

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

Tampa Bay took over at the Seattle 36, making further heroics by Mayfield unnecessary. Rachaad White ran three times for 15 yards to get the Bucs well within McLaughlin’s range, Mayfield took a knee to run the clock down, and McLaughlin ended it with his third field goal of the day.

Chase McLaughlin wins it for the @Buccaneers! pic.twitter.com/H7E2aFH4Rk

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

In a duel between quarterbacks who struggled with the teams that drafted them, then spent a season together in Carolina before reviving their careers elsewhere, Mayfield and Darnold combined to throw for 720 yards with just 10 incompletions. Mayfield finished 29 of 33 for 379 yards and two touchdowns, and Darnold was 28 of 34 for 341 yards, four TDs and the one, costly pick.

Two receivers out of Ohio State were the main beneficiaries of the high-level quarterback play. Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka, a product of Steilacoom High School in Washington, had seven catches for 163 yards and a touchdown, and Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished with eight receptions for 132 yards and a score.

How do you turn 3rd-and-13 into a 57-yard gain? Emeka Egbuka.

TBvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/VV935v5Awd

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

Tampa Bay led 13-0 late in the second quarter. The Seahawks took their first lead at 14-13 early in the third, the Bucs pushed back ahead 28-21 near the end of the period, and Darnold threw two TD passes in the fourth quarter, the second a 21-yarder on fourth-and-2 to Tory Horton that gave Seattle a 35-28 lead.

That's how you answer on fourth. 😮‍💨

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/I9tppE8WmF

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 5, 2025

White had two rushing touchdowns for the Bucs, and Seahawks tight end AJ Barner had two TD catches.

Injuries

Buccaneers: RB Josh Williams was evaluated for a concussion in the third quarter and did not return.

Seahawks: LB Derick Hall sustained an oblique injury and CB Riq Woolen was evaluated for a concussion, forcing both out of the game in the third quarter.