Seahawks 20-3 Chiefs: Seattle’s defense decides the game

The Seahawks beat the Chiefs 20-3 on October 25, 2026, at Lumen Field because they controlled third downs, held Kansas City to 213 yards and sustained long drives. The result ended the Chiefs’ perfect start, which had reached five wins, and moved Seattle to a 4-3 record.

The defense shrank the field for Kansas City

The low score resulted from a consistent defensive performance, not merely missed opportunities by the opponent. According to the Seahawks’ official analysis, Kansas City managed only 11 first downs and converted 3 of 11 third downs. The team also went scoreless in the first half and finished the game with just one field goal.

Seattle also produced a Ty Okada interception. The play began with Nick Emmanwori pressuring Patrick Mahomes, who threw on the move and had his pass picked off. The numbers and the turnover explain why the Chiefs were unable to establish a lasting offensive rhythm.

Third downs created the separation

The sharpest contrast appeared in that situation: Seattle converted 11 of 16 third downs, while Kansas City finished 3 of 11. That efficiency enabled the Seahawks to accumulate 410 yards, 24 first downs and 69 offensive plays, compared with the Chiefs’ 50.

Time of possession reflected the same control: 35:51 for Seattle and 24:09 for Kansas City. The Seahawks converted multiple third downs with nine or more yards required during scoring drives. In doing so, they kept Mahomes off the field and gave their own defense time to rest.

Smith-Njigba defined the passing attack

Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught nine passes for 150 yards. The defining play of his night was a 28-yard touchdown on third-and-9 from Sam Darnold. The Week 7 highlights page also records a 33-yard connection between the pair.

Darnold completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. The mistake came in the end zone near the end of the first half and kept Seattle from turning its territorial dominance into an even larger lead.

The running game closed out the win

Emanuel Wilson carried 24 times for 100 yards in the postgame analysis. In the fourth quarter, his 21-yard touchdown extended the lead and all but ended the contest. Seattle finished with 153 rushing yards on 41 attempts.

The ground production also helped drain the clock. Combined with the third-down conversions, it allowed the Seahawks to dictate the pace despite poor red-zone efficiency: three trips inside the 20 produced only six points, including two short field goals and Darnold’s interception.

What the 20-3 score reveals

The outcome did not hinge on a single play. Seattle combined a possession advantage, efficiency on decisive downs, 197 more offensive yards and two touchdown drives. Its defense prevented Kansas City from answering and protected a comfortable margin.

For the Chiefs, the statistic that best summarizes the loss is their total of only 11 first downs. Without extending drives, they could neither ease the pressure on Mahomes nor change Seattle’s command of field position and possession.

When the Chiefs play next

Kansas City’s next game is scheduled for November 1, 2026, at 3:25 p.m. CST, on the road against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Schedules and broadcast details can change, so check the Chiefs’ official schedule before the game.