Complete Team Performance Sparks Seattle Seahawks’ First Victory Of 2025

When D.K. Metcalf was traded over the offseason, the 12s circled Week 2 as must-watch TV—the Seahawks would travel to the City of Bridges to take on their former standout receiver and his new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Metcalf’s departure was one Jenga piece of change in Seattle over the spring: exit stage left, Geno Smith, enter Sam Darnold, another ex-Jets signal caller. A new offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak (son of Gary), arrived with a balanced scheme, more aligned to Coach Mike Macdonald’s physical philosophy. And with new blood on both sides of the ball, expectations were high—then came Week 1. The 49ers came to Lumen and dashed those hopes in a sloppy, classically Week 1 affair that raised more questions than answers, particularly on offense. So, not only was this a “revenge” game against one of the most physically dominant receivers in the NFL, it was also a litmus test for a team trying to keep pace in the stacked NFC West. And with their 31-17 win on Sunday, Seahawks fans from across the Wet Coast and beyond got flashes of how dangerous they can be in all three phases.

Seattle came out swinging. Darnold led a crisp touchdown drive on Seattle’s first possession, capped by rookie Tory Horton’s 21-yard reception—his first career catch and first house call down the right sideline, off an excellent play fake. After a disastrous Week 1 performance, Darnold, for the most part, looked far more composed, especially when turning his back to the defense. Kubiak’s game plan this week leaned into play fakes to neutralize the Steelers’ pass rush, keeping the offense out of obvious passing situations, and giving clearer reads for the former number 3 overall pick.

Though Seattle failed to score on any of its other five first-half drives—including an 11-play march with a missed field goal and two interceptions (one deep in Steelers territory on 4th and 1)—Seattle ended up exploding in the second half, outscoring Pittsburgh 24-3. Darnold finished with a stat line of 22 for 33, 295 yards, two touchdowns, two sacks taken, and two picks.

Jaxon Smith-Njiba is proving to be a star as the new number one in the passing game, following up his nine-catch, 124-yard (and a crucial fumble) outing in Week 1 with an eight-catch, 103-yard performance. But the headline was Cooper Kupp’s resurgence.
The Washington native and EWU alum, quiet against San Francisco, reminded us why he is a former Super Bowl MVP—with seven catches for 90 yards, and pristine route running that perfectly complements JSN.

Sophomore tight end A.J. Barner also made his presence felt, hauling in two balls for 26 yards and a touchdown, plus converting a fourth down as a wildcat QB on a “Brotherly Shove” (or Tush Push, if you’re so inclined). His blocking helped spring running back Kenneth Walker, who gashed the Steelers’ run defense—the Michigan State product, affectionately known as K9, ran for 105 yards on 13 carries, including a 19-yard touchdown dagger with 3:41 remaining to seal the win. Walker’s performance staked his claim as the lead back over Zach Charbonnet (10 yards on 15 attempts). Seattle outgained Pittsburgh 395 yards to 267 and controlled the tempo despite three costly turnovers.

The Seahawks’ back end held the monstrous Metcalf to 3 catches and 20 yards and a short touchdown—the only touchdown Aaron Rodgers and company scored on the day. They rattled the former four-time MVP, sacking him three times, while blanketing his receivers. Young cornerback Derion Kendrick caught a deflected pass off of both tight end Pat Friermuth and receiver Calvin Austin, stonewalling a drive deep in Seattle’s territory early in the 3rd quarter. Coby Bryant ended any comeback hopes with 1:19 left in the game with another pick.

Special teams delivered the game’s wildest moment. Early in the fourth, after Seattle kicker Jason Meyers cut the deficit to three after a 54-yard field goal, Steelers rookie running back turned returner Kaleb Johnson failed to catch a punt. Thinking the play was dead, Johnson walked toward the sideline—only for George Holani, Seahawks running back-cum-special teamer, to pounce on the ball before it rolled out of the end zone for the most unlikely punt return touchdown of the year (so far, it’s still early).

Down two defensive stalwarts—cornerback Devin Witherspoon and safety Nick Emmnawori—and facing a 10 am Pacific start across the country, Seattle could have stumbled. Instead, Macdonald’s squad looked sharp and focused. The defense, now in its second year under Macdonald, looks ready to contend. Offensively, questions were quieted for another week. It’s still too early to declare the Darnold experiment a success, but if he continues to show poise and growth, Seattle’s front office may have struck gold by getting younger at quarterback. But for now, the Hawks are 1-1 and the arrow is pointing up.

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Author: Hey PDX

Hey PDX Team