PITTSBURGH—The Seahawks were the dominant team on the stat sheet in the first half of Sunday’s game, but trailed by a touchdown thanks to two costly turnovers that led to 11 Pittsburgh points. In the second half, however, the Seahawks took control, using two takeaways, a standout defensive performance, one special teams touchdown, and big plays by several playmakers to pull away for a double-digit win.
Here are seven rapid reactions from Seattle’s 31-17 win over the Steelers:
Sam Darnold overcame a pair of picks in an otherwise stellar performance.
The Seahawks opened the game in impressive fashion, driving 65 yards on eight plays for their first opening-drive touchdown since late in the 2023 season, with Sam Darnold connecting with rookie Tory Horton for the score. On the next possession, however, Darnold was intercepted by Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey trying to hit Cooper Kupp on a deep play-action shot on the first play of the drive. Seattle’s defense got a quick stop, but Pittsburgh was still able to get three points off the turnover in the form of a 48-yard field goal.
Later in the half, after two punts and a missed field goal, the Seahawks were facing 4th-and-1 in Steelers territory, and elected to go for it. Unlike earlier in the game when Seattle converted on 3rd-and-short with an AJ Barner sneak, the Seahawks decided this time to throw, and Darnold’s pass attempt was tipped by defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and intercepted by Nick Herbig, who returned it 21 yards to Seattle’s 21-yard line. That turnover set up a 2-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf, and with a successful 2-point conversion, the Steelers had a 14-7 halftime lead despite gaining just 69 yards and six first downs while averaging 2.6 yards per play in the half.