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# 5 Key Moments That Led to Seahawks' Convincing Win over Steelers
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/five-key-moments-seattle-seahawks-win-pittsburgh-steelers/
- Published: 2025-09-15T20:31:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T05:58:14.000Z
- Author: Nick Lee
- Tags: Analysis, Seahawks, Sam Darnold, AJ Barner, Jason Myers, Coby Bryant, Derion Kendrick, Tory Horton

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The Seattle Seahawks traveled to Pittsburgh and did the same thing they did three times last year when playing in the 10 AM PT window—they won the game. After some offensive mistakes weighed down the middle of the game for Seattle, they exploded, including taking advantage of a few Steelers mistakes. 

Let’s break down five moments that led to Seattle’s 31-17 win at Acrisure Stadium:

**1st Quarter (10:29): Sam Darnold throws 21-yard touchdown to Tory Horton**

I bet you had the rookie Horton scoring the first touchdown of the game on your bingo card, right? For the first time in 23 games, the Seahawks started the game with an opening drive touchdown. This set the tone for what was, minus a few miscues, a successful offensive day. Getting seven on the opening drive gave the Seahawks an early boost and allowed them to shoulder a few mistakes.

**3rd Quarter (4:17): Seahawks’ Derion Kendrick picks off Aaron Rodgers in the end zone** 

Coming off of a key Seahawks touchdown to tie the game at 14, the defense needed to make a play. This drive started with Rodgers connecting with running back Jaylen Warren for a 65-yard reception down to Seattle’s five-yard line, making a go-ahead Steelers response touchdown seem imminent. Instead, Rodgers had a miscommunication with a receiver and threw it into the corner of the endzone, where a diving Kendrick caught the ball for the momentum-swinging interception. Even if the Seahawks hadn’t done anything with that next possession, it still took points off the board for Pittsburgh.

**4th Quarter (12:46): Seahawks score touchdown on Steelers’ special teams miscue** 

It was one of the most inexplicable mistakes you will ever see on an NFL field, and the Seahawks took good advantage of it. Jason Myers kicked off after nailing a 54-yard field goal and the ball bounced in front of return man Kaleb Johnson inside the 10-yard line. It bounced over his head, and he let the ball roll into the endzone, expecting it to roll out the back. However, the pigskin never did pass out of play, giving the Seahawks’ kickoff coverage team a chance to pounce on it. Running back George Holani got credit for the recovery in the endzone to gift the Seahawks a touchdown and make it a multiple-score lead for Seattle. That huge mistake put a big wrench in the Steelers’ plans to recover the game.

**4th Quarter (6:33): Sam Darnold converts big third down** 

The Steelers responded from that big special teams gaffe well enough, kicking a field goal and cutting the deficit to seven. The Seahawks, at risk of giving the ball back to Aaron Rodgers with a one-score lead, needed to respond. Seattle faced a 3rd and 9 from their own 28\. The play looked like it could be a disaster, with multiple rushers closing in on Darnold. In a display of athleticism that reminded people why Darnold was originally a third overall pick back in 2018, he twirled away from the pass rush and found a wide-open AJ Barner as a safety valve. Barner had an empty field in front of him, running for 19 yards, getting the first down and more. That allowed the Seahawks to get in scoring position and regain their multiple-score lead.

**4th Quarter (1:19): Coby Bryant intercepts Aaron Rodgers to seal it**

The Steelers were down to a last gasp. Even before this play, a comeback was highly unlikely. Still, this was a huge play for Seattle’s defense. Aaron Rodgers sailed a pass deep over the middle, too high for his intended target. Instead, Coby Bryant was in the perfect spot to intercept the pass and return it for 28 yards and seal the deal. Bryant took possession of the ball and assured the win for the Seahawks.