Winning at home was a huge priority for the Seahawks after last season’s 3-6 record at Lumen Field.
Coach Mike Macdonald planned to change their pregame warmup routines. The organization reminded season-ticket holders to not sell too many tickets to opposing fans. And Macdonald “showed a video, like a little history of the stadium, (Saturday) morning to the team and how important it is,” according to GM John Schneider on his pregame Seattle Sports radio show on Sunday.
Just one game in, the Seahawks might need to go back to the drawing board to solve their home-field issues.
read more 49ers 17, seahawks 13
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) catches a pass behind the defense of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) during an NFL game on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle.
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Here’s what national media said about the Seahawks’ Week 1 loss to the 49ers.
ESPN: Will the Seahawks’ defense have to keep them afloat?
Brady Henderson writes: The Seahawks’ season-opening loss supported the popular assumption that their defense will have to carry the team while the offense catches up. Mike Macdonald’s D allowed the game-winning touchdown, but that was after twice picking off Purdy, repeatedly bending but not breaking, and putting the offense on its back for most of the afternoon. The new players on Klint Kubiak’s offensive unit figured to take time to jell, but their dud of a debut was disappointing, especially in running for only 84 yards after committing to a ground-and-pound approach. Sam Darnold (16-of-23, 150 yards) had a chance to win the game but fumbled amid a collapsing pocket.
The Mariners outscored the Seahawks by 5 points today pic.twitter.com/ccRi9tkcz9
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) September 7, 2025
NFL.com: Darnold’s Seahawks debut ends brutally
Michael Baca writes: Following the Niners’ go-ahead touchdown, there was ample opportunity for the Seahawks to have a game-winning drive of their own. Facing a four-point deficit with 94 seconds left and one timeout remaining, Sam Darnold keyed in on Jaxon Smith-Njigba to flip the field on a 40-yard pass along the sideline. That put Seattle in scoring position with more than a minute left to play and the timeout in its back pocket. But the mere pressure Nick Bosa created on the right side caused Darnold to fumble as he was winding up to throw, with the tip of the ball getting dislodged out of his hand thanks to right tackle Abraham Lucas’ back. It was a brutal way to lose for Darnold, who was looking to shake off a bad outing in his final performance for the Vikings and start his time with the Seahawks on the right foot. There was little opportunity for Darnold and Co. to do that, however, having possessed the ball for an astounding 22:02 in the game and snapped just 50 offensive plays. Darnold finished with an efficient day passing (16 of 23 for 150 yards), but it was a gloomy end for Seattle’s season opener.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda
Details win/lose games in the final minutes
3 Things:
1-A better set & anchor by Abe has to happen
2-If Sam reads it to the field, with the chair concept, it’s a walk in TD to Cooper Kupp
3-Sam has to feel that pressure & be firm w/the ball/grip pic.twitter.com/SBGHxHWQt8
— Brock Huard (@BrockHuard) September 8, 2025
CBS Sports: Seahawks earn B- grade
John Breech writes: It’s definitely too early to judge, but after one game, Sam Darnold doesn’t seem like an upgrade over Geno Smith. Darnold threw for just 150 yards, and on top of that, he lost a fumble with under a minute left to that killed Seattle’s chances of winning. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who hauled in 124 of Darnold’s 150 passing yards, also lost a key fumble in the second half. The offense wasn’t able to get anything going on the ground either on a day where the rushing attack averaged just 3.2 yards per carry. If the Seahawks are going to have any chance of competing for a playoff berth this year, the offense is going to have to be much better.
Yahoo Sports: Sam Darnold one of Week 1’s losers
Frank Schwab writes: He had a shot to be a hero in his first Seattle Seahawks game. Instead, he’ll have to hear the same old questions. After Brock Purdy had a third-down pass nearly picked off but snatched out of the air by Jake Tonges for a go-ahead score, Darnold started putting together a promising drive. He hit Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a nice 40-yard gain. The Seahawks moved to the 49ers’ 9-yard line. Then came the game-ending turnover. Right tackle Abe Lucas was pushed into Darnold by defensive end Nick Bosa, Darnold hit Lucas and lost the ball and Bosa recovered. The 49ers held on to a 17-13 win. That’s a tough way for the game to end for Darnold, who had less than 100 yards passing before Seattle’s final drive. He still will need to prove himself to Seahawks fans.
Seattle Times sports staff.