The Seahawks went on the road in what was deemed the first revenge game for wide receiver DK Metcalf who was traded from Seattle to Pittsburgh earlier this offseason. However, it was Sam Darnold and the Seahawks who had the last laugh thanks to a handful of big plays in the second half, on top of a Steelers special blunder that allowed the Seahawks to outscore Pittsburgh 17-3 in the final quarter. When the clock hit zero, the Seahawks would leave the East Coast with a 31-17 victory over Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Sam Darnold threw for 295 and two touchdowns, showing the ability to bounce back from two early interceptions. Running back Kenneth Walker recorded 105 yards and a touchdown while wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught eight passes for 103 receiving yards to lead the team. Cooper Kupp also had seven catches for 90 yards and several key conversions.
Defensively, linebacker Ernest Jones IV led the defense with nine total tackles while edge rusher Byron Murphy II posted 1.5 sacks.
The biggest play of the game was a bizarre kickoff recovery touchdown by running back George Holani, who took advantage of Steelers rookie Kaleb Johnson’s apparent lack of understanding of the rules by pouncing on the loose ball in the back of the end zone. It gave Seattle a pivotal two-score lead and the Steelers were unable to recover.
Kenneth Walker III iced the game for good with a 19-yard touchdown run on 3rd and goal to put Seattle up by 14.
The Seahawks will be back at home to host the New Orleans Saints (0-2) on September 21st. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PST.
Post-game reaction by Field Gulls’ Bryce Coutts