Seahawks Bounce Back with Win Over Chiefs, Address Darnold’s Performance

The Kansas City Chiefs have quickly regained their status at the top of the NFL in the 2026 season, positioning themselves for another potential clash with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship. Conversely, the Seattle Seahawks, last year’s Super Bowl champions, have struggled in comparison. After beginning the season with victories over the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals, they grappled with a mixed 1-3 record, including an unexpected loss to the Washington Commanders and barely scraping a win against the LA Chargers.

The recent loss against the Denver Broncos in overtime intensified scrutiny on quarterback Sam Darnold’s performance. There were speculations that Darnold might lose his starting place to Drew Lock. The criticism stemmed from his lackluster performance, completing 27 of 51 passes with no touchdowns and two interceptions, contributing to a disheartening loss to a team led by a quarterback with only 107 passing yards.

Denver Broncos Edge Past Seahawks with OT Win

However, Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald reaffirmed his confidence in Darnold. During an interview on October 16, he expressed his belief in Darnold’s capabilities, emphasizing that the team needed to work on minimizing turnovers and that Darnold still played an integral role in the team’s success.

Macdonald’s decision paid off during their game against the Chiefs. Despite early struggles in the first quarter, Darnold delivered an impressive performance in the second. Following a poor start from Patrick Mahomes, Darnold orchestrated a scoring drive including a 33-yard pass to Jaxson Smith-Njigba. He then followed up with another drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Njigba.

Despite a lapse in the second quarter leading to an intercepted pass by Noah Williams, resulting in a missed field goal opportunity for the Chiefs, Seahawks maintained control. Darnold’s subsequent throws accumulated yardage, contributing to a 13-0 lead by the third quarter. The Chiefs, unable to synchronize, struggled offensively with Mahomes facing pressure and limited options in the receiving corps.

Seahawks’ Defense Stifles Chiefs’ Offense

As the fourth quarter proceeded, Seattle capitalized with a 21-yard touchdown run from Emanuel Wilson, ultimately leading to a decisive win. Throughout the game, Seattle dominated with 388 total yardage compared to Kansas City’s 210, converting 11 of 15 third downs.

Although Kenneth Walker, who recently had an outstanding game, was limited to 36 yards, Seattle’s defense maintained pressure, consistently frustrating Kansas City’s attempts to score. This defensive strength has been a significant asset in Seattle’s recent performances.

Looking forward, the Seahawks will host the Chicago Bears in their next matchup, whereas the Chiefs are set to travel to face the Denver Broncos. The Seahawks’ win against Kansas City hints at a potential turnaround for the team, dependent on continued strong performances from Darnold and a robust defense.