Seahawks Stumble: Super Bowl Champions Look Lost Months After Title
Seattle's offense struggles in overtime loss to Denver, raising questions about Sam Darnold's form and the team's championship defense.
Just eight months after hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the Seattle Seahawks are facing an identity crisis, evidenced by their 17-14 overtime defeat to the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football. The loss, Seattle's second consecutive, dropped them to 3-3 on the season and highlighted significant struggles on offense.
The Seahawks appeared listless against a Broncos defense missing key players Patrick Surtain II and Talanoa Hufanga. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who has shouldered increased scrutiny since returning from an early-season hip injury, struggled to find a rhythm. He was sacked five times and threw two interceptions, including a critical one in overtime that dashed Seattle's chances.
Darnold twice took sacks that pushed the Seahawks out of field goal range during a game where the offense managed only three points through the first three quarters. "The quarterback's getting hit way too much," head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged, while emphasizing a focus on evaluation rather than questioning individual players. "It's on our offense. It's how efficient we can run the ball. How efficient we can move the ball in other ways."
Despite efforts to involve receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba more in the second half, Darnold completed only 27 of 52 passes, failing to provide the spark needed to overcome the Broncos. "We're not questioning people," Macdonald stated. "We're evaluating. We're finding solutions. I'm responsible for the performance of the team, so we have to do a great job of that. But I believe in our guys."
The offensive coordinator, Mike Fleury, who replaced Klint Kubiak this offseason, has yet to establish a consistent offensive identity, with Macdonald conceding the passing game "hasn't really clicked yet."
Adding to Seattle's challenges, former Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III has thrived since joining the Kansas City Chiefs, transforming their offense. Walker is set to return to Lumen Field next week when the undefeated Chiefs face the Seahawks, further intensifying the spotlight on Seattle's current struggles and their quest to recapture the form that led to their Super Bowl victory.
