Seahawks’ defense among NFL elite, throws shutout in 26–0 win over Vikings

The Seahawks hosted the Vikings at Lumen Field on Sunday. The Seattle offense entered Week 13 averaging over 30 points in its last three games, while Minnesota turned to rookie Max Brosmer at quarterback with starter J.J. McCarthy in concussion protocol.

Here, we break down how this high-stakes matchup unfolded.

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Both defenses set the tone early, with the game opening with five consecutive punts. The first quarter saw only 48 total yards from scrimmage between both teams. 

The Seahawks scored first early in the second quarter on a 33-yard field goal from Jason Myers. Seattle was forced to kick after an Andrew Van Ginkel sack stalled its drive at Minnesota 10-yard line. 

The Vikings' pass rush was key to Seattle’s slow start offensively, with the Seahawks struggling in pass protection. Head coach Mike Macdonald said, “We need to start faster, especially in terms of protection and making sure we’re on the same page. On paper, it’s nice to say we have it protected, but when they are doing it full speed, we have to be ahead of plays faster on offense.”

The issues up front continued in the second quarter as Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold fumbled on a strip-sack by Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner, setting up Minnesota deep in Seattle territory. 

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell elected to go for it on fourth down three plays later. The decision backfired when Max Brosmer threw an underhanded interception, seemingly without looking downfield, under pressure from Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence. Seattle linebacker Ernest Jones returned the interception 84 yards for a touchdown to give the Seahawks a 10-0 lead. 

Brosmer addressed the play after the game, saying, “Ultimately, I made a bad decision with the football. It cost us heavy. Early in the game like that, giving energy to a team like that, it’s tough. We have to do a better job, me specifically, of keeping the ball in our hands.” There were zero offensive touchdowns in the first half.

The Vikings’ offense was dominated by the Seattle defense for the rest of the day. Five of Minnesota’s six drives in the second half resulted in turnovers, including another forced fumble by Lawrence and another interception by Jones.

T.J. Hockenson led the Vikings in receiving with six catches for 59 yards, and Jordan Mason was the team’s leading rusher with six carries for 47 yards. All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson was held to only two catches for four yards in the game. 

The Seahawks’ offense struggled to find the end zone in the second half. Seattle’s only offensive touchdown of the day came midway through the fourth quarter on a 17-yard Zach Charbonnet run. 

Seattle wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba described the offense’s mindset when it’s struggling, saying, “You have to stay ready. You have to stay levelheaded. It’s a fight out there. It’s a 12-round fight. Can't win it in the first quarter or the second quarter. You’ve got to keep punching out there.” 

Smith-Njigba, who is on a record-setting pace this season, was held to only two catches for 23 yards. The Seahawks had 219 total yards of offense, over 145 yards short of their season average coming in (364.6). 

Four Jason Meyers field goals, five forced turnovers and a defensive touchdown gave the Seahawks their first shutout victory since 2015, as they beat the Vikings 26-0. 

Seattle leaned on its defense in the win, which has cemented itself as one of the NFL’s best. In his 12th season, DeMarcus Lawrence said this is the best defense he’s ever played on, “I mean that wholeheartedly, but I feel it’s another level that we can reach. You all haven’t seen the best of us, and we’re going to capitalize on our opportunities.”

The Seahawks hope to reach that level and bounce back offensively in Atlanta against the Falcons in Week 14. Seattle improved to 9-3 on Sunday, pulling even in the win column with the Rams, who lost earlier in the day to the Panthers. 

The Rams still lead the NFC West, owning the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Seahawks. The NFC West race will be tight down the stretch with the Seahawks, Rams and 49ers all with nine wins.