SEATTLE (AP) — Tory Horton felt like a kid again as he backpedaled to receive a New Orleans punt deep in Seattle territory. With excitement, he took off from his own 5-yard line and surged down the field. His 95-yard return marked the longest punt return in Seattle Seahawks history. He also caught a touchdown pass from Sam Darnold, contributing to a dominating 44-13 victory over the winless New Orleans Saints.
“Once the ball’s in my hands, it’s about reading blocks and channeling my inner child,” Horton said, reminiscing about playing games as a kid.
Seattle’s special teams had a standout performance. Chazz Surratt flattened the Saints’ punter, paving the way for Horton’s historic return. Horton appreciated that block, saying it made his path clearer to the end zone.
Kenneth Walker III shined too, scoring two short touchdowns. The team took a commanding 21-0 lead early on, with Walker’s second TD extending the score to 35-3. Jason Myers added a field goal, making it 38-6 at halftime. This was the Seahawks’ second-highest scoring half in franchise history.
Darnold acknowledged the team’s execution, sharing how it felt to have such a strong performance. For the Saints, this marked the most points allowed in a half since a historic 62-7 defeat in 1973, showcasing their pressing need for improvement.
The Saints struggled to find the end zone, only scoring in the fourth quarter with a pass from Spencer Rattler to Jack Stoll. This dropped Rattler’s record to 0-9 as a starter, and the Saints continued their losing streak.
Defensive discipline is a concern for New Orleans, highlighted by their 11 penalties in this game. Defensive end Cameron Jordan pointed out the need for better discipline to shed their reputation as a highly-penalized team.
Meanwhile, Seahawks rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba made an impressive comeback, catching five passes for 96 yards. Coach Mike Macdonald made a memorable comparison to Michael Jordan’s famous “Flu Game,” praising Smith-Njigba’s resilience.
Derion Kendrick shined on defense, securing an interception and contributing significantly in the absence of All-Pro Devon Witherspoon. Coach Macdonald expressed excitement over Kendrick, noting his knack for making plays.
Darnold completed 14 of 18 passes for 218 yards, earning a remarkable QB rating of 154.2. This performance is notable; only Russell Wilson has achieved a higher rating in a Seahawks game.
Injuries were a factor, with several key players out, including Witherspoon and running back Zach Charbonnet.
Both teams are eager for future matchups—Seattle will visit Arizona, while New Orleans heads to Buffalo next Sunday.
The game wasn’t just a win for the Seahawks; it was a clear display of both offensive and defensive prowess. As the season progresses, both teams will be scrutinized closely for improvement and consistency.
For more detailed analysis, check out the AP NFL coverage.
