Kenneth Walker III’s revenge game didn’t go as planned.
The Seattle Seahawks’ defense dominated in a 20-3 win over the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in a nightcap Sunday night, holding Patrick Mahomes and Walker, who won the Super Bowl MVP for the Seahawks in February — to their lowest passing and rushing totals of the season, respectively.
After losing two straight games, Seattle earned its best win of the season and is now just two games behind the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.
“Really proud of our team,” Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald said after the game. “Standing strong in the face of adversity is what we do. We find solutions.”
The Seahawks defense was the story. Mahomes was limited to just 165 yards through the air. He threw no touchdowns and one interception. Meanwhile, Walker was even more limited.
He entered Sunday’s game leading the NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry (minimum 30 carries) and is tied for third in rushing touchdowns. Against his former team, Walker rushed just 14 times for 36 yards and no scores. He had rushed for at least 115 yards in four of the Chiefs’ first five games, and his previous season-low rushing total was 70.
Walker left the field after the loss without greeting his former teammates.
The Seahawks ultimately held Kansas City to its fewest total yards, first downs and red zones in a Mahomes start, while the Chiefs’ three-pointers were also tied for their lowest output in a Mahomes start, according to NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.
“Our guys played really well, man,” MacDonald said when asked about his defense. “They’re just a band of warriors.”
He added: “How can you not just tip your cap to these guys?
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of his offense: “We’ll go back to the drawing board.”
The win was a much-needed step forward for Seattle, which had an up-and-down season defending its Super Bowl victory. The Seahawks won their first two games before losing three of their last four. Their losses were close, however, as all three ended by a total of eight points.
Kansas City’s three points were the fewest made by a Seattle opponent this season. And on the other side of the ball, quarterback Sam Darnold had one of his best performances of the year.
After throwing two interceptions in three of the last four weeks – all in losses – Darnold threw for 257 yards, one touchdown and just one pick Sunday night. He was helped greatly by receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who had nine catches for 150 yards and a score.
And ironically, the Seahawks had one of their best rushing performances of the season. Seattle ran the ball 41 times for 153 yards, its second-highest rushing total this season. Running back Emanuel Wilson ran for 100 yards, the first time a Seahawks player reached the century mark since Walker did it in the Super Bowl.
Seattle is now 4-3 with back-to-back home games over the next two weeks.
The Chiefs fell to 5-1, scoring fewer than 22 points for the first time this year. Mahomes never looked in sync, while his receivers failed to create separation against one of the league’s best secondaries. Of Mahomes’ 19 completions, 11 went to Walker and the tight ends.
“You have to feel it. It sucks,” Mahomes said of the overall performance.
Kicker Harrison Butker didn’t help the cause, missing two field goal attempts, one of which would have made the score 13-6 in the fourth quarter.
“In all three phases, we have to do better,” Reid said. “I take full responsibility for this.”
Kansas City’s offense will need to bounce back quickly, as they face another excellent defense against the Denver Broncos in Week 8.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, will be tested again on Nov. 2 when they host the 5-2 Chicago Bears, who have averaged 30.8 points in quarterback Caleb Williams’ four starts.
Gn sports
