Stacy Rost: Seahawks got out of their own way, and back to their identity
Sep 14, 2025, 3:00 PM
Seattle Seahawks fans were treated Sunday to something they hadn’t seen in more than a year: an opening-drive touchdown.
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A week after relatively underwhelming play on offense in a season-opening loss, Seattle marched down the field looking a bit more like the unit that was promised
There was play-action, which was sorely lacking in Week 1, making up less than 8% of Sam Darnold’s drop backs. A big 13-yard run from Kenneth Walker III. And a concerted effort to spread the ball around. Veteran wideout Cooper Kupp saw the first target of the game and rookie Tory Horton hauled in a 21-yard touchdown pass, a week after Jaxson Smith-Njigba accounted for 124 of Darnold’s 150 passing yards.
Then came something fans had seen too much and too often: struggles on third down and a run game that couldn’t – pardon the confusing metaphor – get off the ground. Luckily for fans, Seattle got out of its own way and turned both around.
Here’s what we learned.
The Seahawks can self-correct.
Seattle stumbled, then steadied, on third down.
The Seahawks went 3 for 10 on third down against the 49ers last week, one big factor in a massive time-of-possession discrepancy between the two clubs – something Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald pointed to as perhaps the most indicative stat from that game.
After converting their first two third-down attempts Sunday in Pittsburgh, the Seahawks went 0 for 5 up until the half. Despite having outgained the Steelers 188 net yards to 69, two interceptions from Darnold proved costly, giving Pittsburgh an extra 11 points.
But the Seahawks reset in the second half, going 4 for 7 on third down (including conversions on third-and-14 and third-and-19).
What helped? First, more pass catchers found more ways to get open, which was an issue from Week 1 as the 49ers’ secondary was better than critics expected. And second, Walker found his groove.
None of Seattle’s successful third-down conversions in the second half went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That’s not an indictment on Seattle’s top receiver, who finished with 100-plus yards for a second week in a row. Instead, it spoke to an offense that more successfully incorporated Kupp (accounting for two conversions) and its tight ends (AJ Barner finished with 26 yards and a touchdown).
And 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 why you never blink. @_ajbarner_
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JvgMkEsF8x
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 14, 2025
Now let’s get back to Walker…
The run? Established.
Yes, it has to stick around. And yes, you’ve got to lean into it when you’re desperate for conversions in short yardage. But fans could hardly feel encouraged by what they saw from what was supposed to be a wide zone offense in a Week 1 loss that saw just 2.0 yards per carry from Walker (20 yards on 10 attempts). That was exactly what Seattle was trying to change from 2024, when it finished fifth-worst in rushing yards per game.
Walker averaged 9.8 yards per carry in the second half Sunday. The Steelers’ defense struggled against the run versus the Jets in Week 1, but considering that Darnold doesn’t pose the running threat New York QB Justin Fields does, this was an impressive day for Seattle’s offenses here – and a massive step forward toward looking more like the team they want.
LET'S GOOOOO
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/dy9x8w7hhn
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 14, 2025
There’s opportunity in Week 3 against a Saints defense that tightened up against the 49ers (77 yards) but also allowed 5.4 yards per carry to the Cardinals in Week 1.
The Seahawks’ defense has officially hit the ground running.
Yes, there were two disappointing plays from cornerback Riq Woolen in Week 1. And yes, two bad matchups in the end zone gave the Steelers eight points on Sunday. But this is a Seahawks defense that has stacked good performances over consecutive weeks against much stiffer competition than their start last season.
They held the Steelers to field goals on their first two possessions, including one where Pittsburgh took over at Seattle’s 44-yard line thanks to a Darnold pick. A touchdown to DK Metcalf was the only one allowed all day. When the Seahawks’ offense needed a chance to come back in the second half, the Seahawks’ defense forced a punt, an interception, and another punt.
Another sack for Byron. pic.twitter.com/YMSvP3U84G
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 14, 2025
Incredibly encouraging is that it was done without starting corner Devon Witherspoon (knee) or promising rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (ankle). And it was the second week the Seahawks have limited an opponent to 17 or fewer points.
Seattle Seahawks score bizarre TD on kickoff to beat Steelers
