Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold speaks during a news conference after an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) pulls in a pass as Pittsburgh Steelers safety Chuck Clark (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks found some balance on offense in Week 2
SEATTLE (AP) 鈥 As much as the Seattle Seahawks struggled to run the ball or spread it around through the air in a season-opening loss to San Francisco, they had no such challenges in Week 2.
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
SEATTLE (AP) 鈥 As much as the Seattle Seahawks struggled to run the ball or spread it around through the air in a season-opening loss to San Francisco, they had no such challenges in Week 2.
The Seahawks finished with 395 yards of offense in at Pittsburgh. Kenneth Walker III eclipsed 100 yards rushing for the first time since the 2024 season opener, and five players caught at least two passes.
鈥淭his offense is designed to get everybody the ball,鈥 coach Mike Macdonald said. 鈥淎nd I felt like it did that (Sunday). And we鈥檙e on our way on that front.鈥
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Sam Darnold threw two interceptions but bounced back and with a solid performance, finishing with 295 yards passing and two touchdowns. Darnold got veteran receiver Cooper Kupp involved after he was limited to two catches against the 49ers. Kupp had seven catches for 90 yards to complement top receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who exceeded 100 yards for the second straight game.
鈥淲e put ourselves in good positions on first and second down to get us into good third downs, third and manageable,鈥 Darnold said. 鈥淎nd we converted a lot of those third downs.鈥
To Darnold鈥檚 point, the Seahawks converted 6 of 14 third downs after going 3 for 10 against the 49ers. Seattle鈥檚 commitment to establishing the run paid off in the second half, when the Seahawks scored 24 of their 31 points.
Rather than slip to their first 0-2 start since 2018, the Seahawks found a way on the road.
鈥淚t was just a great team win,鈥 Darnold said.
What鈥檚 working
The secondary. Safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Derion Kendrick intercepted Aaron Rodgers on Sunday, and the Seahawks are tied for the third-most takeaways in the league.
What needs help
The Seahawks recorded three sacks on Sunday, including 1 1/2 from defensive lineman Byron Murphy II, but they are still just 22nd in the league in team sacks.
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Stock up
Rookie wide receiver Tory Horton, a fifth-round draft pick, caught his first two passes, including a touchdown in the first quarter.
Stock down
Cornerback Riq Woolen, who had what Macdonald called a 鈥渞ough week鈥 leading up to Sunday鈥檚 game, committed an early holding penalty. However, he helped to keep former Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf in check.
Injuries
Macdonald said Monday that he is 鈥渙ptimistic鈥 about safety Nick Emmanwori (high ankle sprain) and Devon Witherspoon (knee) playing against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. He would prefer if Emmanwori and Witherspoon could practice this week before suiting up.
Key number
295 鈥 Days since the Seahawks won a game at Lumen Field. Seattle beat the Arizona Cardinals 16-6 on Nov. 24, 2024.
Next steps
The Seahawks return home, where they went just 3-6 last season, to host the rebuilding Saints (0-2).
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