Seahawks find offensive balance in 31-17 road win, Darnold bounces back
Seattle piles up 395 yards, Kenneth Walker III surpasses 100 yards and the secondary creates takeaways ahead of a return to Lumen Field
SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks produced a more balanced offensive effort in Week 2, rolling up 395 yards in a 31-17 road victory as quarterback Sam Darnold rebounded from a rocky start to the season.
Darnold finished with 295 yards passing and two touchdowns despite throwing two interceptions, while Kenneth Walker III eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the first time since the 2024 season opener. Five players caught at least two passes as the Seahawks spread the ball more effectively after a season-opening loss.
"This offense is designed to get everybody the ball," coach Mike Macdonald said. "And I felt like it did that (Sunday). And we’re on our way on that front." Seattle converted six of 14 third downs after managing just three of 10 in Week 1, a turnaround Darnold credited to improved early-down execution. "We put ourselves in good positions on first and second down to get us into good third downs, third and manageable," he said. "And we converted a lot of those third downs."
The Seahawks leaned on the running game in the second half, scoring 24 of their 31 points after halftime. Receiver Cooper Kupp, limited to two catches in Week 1, returned to a larger role with seven catches for 90 yards. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba topped 100 receiving yards for the second straight game. Rookie fifth-round pick Tory Horton caught his first two career passes, one of which went for a first-quarter touchdown.
Seattle's defense also made an impact. Safeties Coby Bryant and cornerback Derion Kendrick each recorded interceptions, helping the Seahawks rise into a tie for third-most takeaways in the league. The unit added three sacks, including 1½ from defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, though Seattle ranks 22nd in team sacks.
Cornerback Riq Woolen committed an early holding penalty but was noted by the coaching staff for helping to limit the opposition's top receiving threats. Macdonald said Monday he is "optimistic" that safety Nick Emmanwori (high ankle sprain) and corner Devon Witherspoon (knee) will be available for Sunday's home game, adding that he would prefer both to be able to practice this week before suiting up.
The victory kept Seattle from falling to an 0-2 start for the first time since 2018. It also ended a long stretch without a home win: 295 days have passed since the Seahawks last won at Lumen Field, a 16-6 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Nov. 24, 2024. The team returns to Lumen Field, where it went 3-6 last season, to host a rebuilding opponent that began the campaign 0-2.
"It was just a great team win," Darnold said. The Seahawks will aim to carry the balanced approach and the defensive takeaways into their return home as they try to build momentum early in the season.