Seahawks End Chiefs' Perfect Season With 39-Yard Reception Total
Patrick Mahomes threw for only 165 yards in the loss, while Kenneth Walker III was held to 36 rushing yards by Seattle's defense.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
The Kansas City Chiefs finished Sunday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks with their wide receivers combining for just 39 yards, a stark contrast to the offense that began the 2026 season undefeated. The loss marked the first stumble for the Chiefs, who had won their first six contests. Seattle's defense stifled the passing attack, forcing quarterback Patrick Mahomes into a season-low performance.
The lack of production at the skill position was driven by injuries to key personnel. Rashee Rice missed the contest due to a strained right hamstring, and Tyquan Thornton is listed on injured reserve following surgery to repair a dislocated left ankle. The remaining group, including Xavier Worthy, rookie Cyrus Allen, Justin Watson, Andrew Armstrong, and Jalen Royals, managed only six receptions in total. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach faces a decision on whether to trade for additional receiving help before the November 10 deadline.
Running back Kenneth Walker III provided a notable storyline as the first Super Bowl MVP to play his former team the following season. Entering the game, Walker led the league with 665 rushing yards. The Seahawks, who utilized a two-deep safety package for much of the contest, prevented him from gaining 10 or more yards on any single carry. He finished with 36 yards on 14 attempts.
Sam Darnold, the Seattle quarterback, extended his team's winning streak but continued to struggle with turnovers. He completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards. Darnold threw his eighth interception in the last five games during the final seconds of the first half, a pick into traffic in the back of the end zone. Despite the error, he avoided sacks, a marked improvement from the previous two weeks when he was sacked five times in each game.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the Seahawks' offense with 129 receiving yards in the first half, a personal career high. The total placed him first in the NFL with 867 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns in the first seven games of the season. Smith-Njigba is the first player in the Super Bowl era to reach those marks by this point in a campaign. He credited the team's resilience for the victory, stating that the group fought with a brotherhood mentality.
The Chiefs now prepare to travel to Denver to face the Broncos, a team that is 3-4 on the season. The Broncos have struggled with third-down conversions, going just 4-of-26 in the two games prior to Sunday and 3-of-11 in their win over Arizona. Kansas City's next test comes at 4:25 p.m. ET, with the team seeking to snap its early-season momentum loss.
Seattle will host the Chicago Bears next week. The game is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET. The Seahawks remain in contention for a playoff spot, bolstered by their defensive performance against the league's top offense. The Chiefs, meanwhile, must address their receiving corps to maintain their status as a contender in the AFC.
Source: ESPN
