Tory Horton breaks Seahawks’ lengthy opening-drive TD drought

At long last, the Seattle Seahawks scored an opening-drive touchdown.

Seahawks Observations | Instant Reaction | Recap | Box score

Sam Darnold connected with rookie wide receiver Tory Horton for a 21-yard touchdown pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 31-17 win Sunday, which snapped the Seahawks’ NFL-high 22-game drought without a touchdown on their opening possession.

It was the Seahawks’ first opening-drive TD since a December 2023 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

It was also the first NFL reception for Horton, who didn’t receive a target in last week’s season-opening loss to the 49ers. Horton, a fifth-round draft pick out of Colorado State, had a standout training camp and preseason that vaulted him into the team’s third receiver role behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.

Tory Horton’s 1st career catch is a touchdown!

SEAvsPIT on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/rCS74Ca0gA

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

Horton’s touchdown catch capped an eight-play, 65-yard drive that was extended by a pair of third-down completions from Darnold to Smith-Njigba. Darnold hit Smith-Njigba for a 15-yard completion on a third-and-6 and a 12-yard completion on a third-and-10.

Horton’s touchdown catch came on an under-center play-action pass, which was notable after Seattle used play-action just twice last week against the 49ers.

Seattle Seahawks score bizarre TD on kickoff to beat Steelers

Related

Drew Lock stays ready if he’s needed to lead Seahawks againRaiders claim Seahawks 2025 O-line draft pick off waiversSalk: What Sam Darnold’s injury means for Seahawks seasonJulian Love ‘dynamite’ as playmaker and leader in Seahawks’ opening win2 words describe NFL debut of Seahawks rookie RB Jadarian PriceThe latest on Seahawks QB Sam Darnold’s hip injury