The Seattle Seahawks secured a 20-3 victory over the previously undefeated Kansas City Chiefs in a Sunday night matchup, with the defense limiting Patrick Mahomes to one of his worst statistical performances of the season.
Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for just 36 yards on 14 carries and failed to score, was held to his lowest rushing total of the year. The Seahawks held Kansas City to 165 passing yards, no touchdowns, and one interception from Mahomes, while limiting the Chiefs to their fewest total yards and red-zone drives in any Mahomes start, per NFL researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno.
Seattle’s win marked their best performance of the season and moved them within two games of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West standings. The Seahawks improved to 3-3 on the year after dropping two straight games.
Seahawks coach Mike MacDonald praised his defense postgame, stating, “Really proud of our team. To stand steadfast in some adversity, that’s what we do. We find solutions.” He added, “How do you not just tip your cap to those guys?”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid acknowledged the struggles, saying, “We’ll go back to the drawing board.” The loss snapped Kansas City’s undefeated streak at the start of the 2026 season.
Walker’s Struggles Against Former Team
Walker, who won Super Bowl MVP with the Seahawks in February, entered the game leading the NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry (minimum 30 attempts). He had run for at least 115 yards in four of the Chiefs’ first five games and had not rushed for fewer than 70 yards in any previous contest. Against his former team, he was held to 36 yards on 14 carries with no scores. Walker walked off the field without acknowledging his former teammates.
Mahomes’ Offense Held in Check
Mahomes completed 16 of 27 passes for 165 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. The Seahawks’ defense also limited the Chiefs to three points, tying their lowest offensive output in any Mahomes start. Kansas City managed just 193 total yards, their fewest in a Mahomes start, and recorded seven first downs, the lowest total in a Mahomes start.
Kelce Reaches Career Milestones Despite Loss
Travis Kelce added to his NFL résumé despite the Chiefs’ loss, becoming the fifth-leading receiver in NFL history with 1,103 career receptions. He surpassed Chris Carter and Marvin Harrison on the all-time list. Kelce also set a new record for the most receiving yards by a tight end in NFL history, surpassing Tony Gonzalez with 15,420 yards (including playoffs). His 44-yard reception in the fourth quarter marked the longest catch of the night for the tight end.
Kelce now trails Jerry Rice (1,549), Larry Fitzgerald (1,432), Tony Gonzalez (1,325), and Jason Witten (1,228) on the all-time receptions list. With 11 games remaining, Kelce could further close the gap on Witten’s total.
Seahawks’ Defense Emerges as Key Factor
The Seahawks’ defensive performance was the cornerstone of the victory, holding the Chiefs to their lowest offensive output in a Mahomes start. Seattle’s unit recorded multiple sacks, limited big plays, and forced turnovers, including the interception. The win provided a much-needed boost for a Seahawks team that had struggled defensively in recent weeks.
MacDonald emphasized the team’s resilience, stating, “Our guys played great, man. They’re just a bunch of warriors.”
Chiefs’ Offensive Struggles Continue
Beyond Mahomes’ struggles, no Chiefs offensive player stood out in the loss. Kelce managed just four receptions for 44 yards, while the rest of the offense failed to generate consistent production. The Chiefs’ three-point total tied their lowest output in any Mahomes start, highlighting their offensive difficulties in the game.
Reid’s postgame comments suggested a need for adjustments, though he did not elaborate on specific changes.
Implications for Both Teams
For the Seahawks, the win solidified their position as a contender in the NFC West and provided a confidence boost ahead of upcoming matchups. The defense’s performance could signal a turning point for a unit that had underperformed in recent weeks.
For the Chiefs, the loss raised questions about their offensive consistency, particularly in high-pressure games. The defeat also ended their undefeated start to the 2026 season, forcing them to regroup ahead of their next challenges.
Coaching and Player Reactions
Seahawks Coach Mike MacDonald reiterated his confidence in Sam Darnold, who started the game, despite earlier speculation about a potential quarterback change. MacDonald stated, “Sam’s played great football for us this year the majority of the time. There’s other times he needs to take care of the football, but I think these are solutions we can find with Sam as our QB.”
Chiefs Coach Andy Reid offered no immediate changes to his offensive game plan but acknowledged the need for adjustments, saying, “We’ll go back to the drawing board.”