The Seattle Seahawks beat the Kansas City Chiefs 20-3 on Oct. 25, holding them to one field goal in a dominant defensive performance at Lumen Field.
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The Seattle Seahawks delivered a four-quarter defensive effort in a 20-3 win over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Oct. 25 at Lumen Field.
Seattle limited the Chiefs to just a single field goal, matching the lowest output for Kansas City with quarterback Patrick Mahomes as a starter. The Chiefs were also restricted to 11 first downs and 213 yards, both franchise lows with Mahomes at the helm.
The defeat marked the first time in Mahomes’ career that Kansas City’s offense failed to reach the red zone in a game. Seahawks middle linebacker Ernest Jones IV said the team’s mindset was to “shut you down, shut your lights out,” adding, “That’s big ups to the defense today. We came out there and executed.”
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald credited the defensive group for the effort, calling them “a bunch of warriors” and tipping his cap to players who “played through some things that went in the game.” He also referenced the team’s physicality and its preparation after playing the prior game against Denver on a short week, saying, “How do you not just tip your cap to those guys.”
Seattle’s pass defence held Mahomes to 165 yards on 33 attempts and included one interception. Ty Okada recorded the pick on a ball described as being off target due to pressure and a hit from Nick Emmanwori.
The key factor, however, was Seattle’s run defence against Kenneth Walker III. Walker was limited to 36 yards on 14 carries for a 2.6-yard average, despite entering the game averaging 6.3 yards per carry and having rushed for 665 yards through five games. The Seahawks’ run-stopping continued a streak of 36 straight games, postseason included, in which they have not allowed an individual 100-yard rusher.
Macdonald said the defensive plan was to play “in waves,” noting, “He’s still going to break tackles,” and adding, “We had to get people to the football. That gave us the best chance.” Cornerback Devon Witherspoon said Seattle “stopped the run really well” and played “tougher across the board,” describing it as “great complementary football.”
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba contributing offensively with 150 yards and a touchdown on nine catches, Smith-Njigba also praised the defence, calling it “super incredible” and saying, “Time after time again… they prove it, they back it up, with the swagger and how fast they’re playing.”
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