Chiefs Drop First Game of Season
Seattle held Kansas City's receiving corps to 39 yards in a 27-19 victory, while Kenneth Walker III was limited to 36 rushing yards.
By Olivia Parker ·
The Kansas City Chiefs' receiving corps combined for 39 yards on six catches in their first loss of the 2026 season. The Seattle Seahawks defeated the visitors 27-19 on Sunday night at Lumen Field, snapping Kansas City's perfect start to the year.
The defensive performance against the ground game proved decisive. Kenneth Walker III entered the contest leading the league with 665 rushing yards. He became the first Super Bowl MVP to play against his former team the following season. The Seahawks employed two deep safeties for much of the game. They did not allow Walker to gain 10 or more yards on a single carry. He finished with 36 yards on 14 attempts.
The Chiefs' passing attack struggled without key personnel. Rashee Rice missed the game with a strained right hamstring. Tyquan Thornton remains on injured reserve following ankle surgery. The remaining receivers, including Xavier Worthy, rookie Cyrus Allen, Justin Watson, Andrew Armstrong, and Jalen Royals, produced the low total. General Manager Brett Veach faces pressure to add depth before the November 10 trade deadline.
Seattle's offense found its rhythm despite a costly mistake. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed 20 of 28 passes for 257 yards. He was intercepted on a throw into traffic in the back of the end zone during the final seconds of the first half. That interception marked his eighth of the past five games. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the team with 129 receiving yards in the first half. That total is the most by a Seahawk in a single half since Tyler Lockett in 2020.
Smith-Njigba now holds 867 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns on the season. He is the first player in the Super Bowl era to reach at least 850 yards and eight scores in a team's first seven games. Other results from Week 7 included the Lions defeating the Packers and the Broncos winning in Arizona. The Steelers beat the Saints in the league's first game played in France.
The Chiefs travel to Denver for their next contest on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Seattle hosts the Chicago Bears on November 2 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Source: ESPN
