Chiefs @ Seahawks
Final Score: Seahawks 20, Chiefs 3
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1.bsky.social on Bluesky)
Three Up
- Emanuel Wilson – this is not the fantasy darling running back you were looking for; move along! A huge hole late in the game, as a tired, despondent Chiefs defense relented, provided the chance for Wilson to claim the spoils and hit pay dirt. The 12 erupted in jubilation as the validation of letting Walker walk did not come back to haunt them. Not tonight, anyway.
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba – the complete performance from the most complete WR1 in the NFL. JSN was everywhere, and his ability to make contested catches in the red zone is second to none. Two such grabs in this game were significant.
- Sam Darnold – muting any discourse about a quarterback change in Seattle, Darnold was outstanding bar one poor throw in the red zone. His ability to make game-winning throws was the difference in this key contest.
Three Down
- Kenneth Walker III – those hoping that Walker would produce another fantasy-winning performance were left totally flat by his stifling across the board. He walked straight down the tunnel at the end and didn’t shake one player’s hand. Yikes!
- Travis Kelce – almost an afterthought for much of the contest; when the ball was thrown his way, the tight end and his quarterback were not on the same page. We haven’t been able to say that many times in Kelce’s career.
- KC WRs – the depleted unit needed someone to step up. Nobody did. Nobody had much chance to, apart from Xavier Worthy, who was unworthy. An off night for Mahomes did not help matters.
Kansas City Chiefs
Quarterback
Patrick Mahomes: 19/33, 165 Yards INT, Sack | 2 Carries, 14 Yards
In a hard-fought contest where each team’s defense was the key to the game, Mahomes struggled to make difference-making throws when it mattered the most. To make matters worse, one of those throws resulted in a key turnover in the second quarter that led to a Seahawks score. Under pressure from the relentless Nick Emmanwori, the Kansas City quarterback was hit as he threw the ball downfield towards Jaylen Royals, only to see the ball sail over his intended target and into the arms of Seahawks defensive back Ty Okada. It was that kind of day for the imperial Mahomes, who was also guilty of missing his targets even with time. He threw behind Kelce late in the first half and converted only 3-of-11 opportunities on third down all game. Mahomes wasn’t helped by his kicker, who missed two routine field goals to further reduce morale on an already despondent Chiefs sideline. As the game started to get away from the Chiefs, Mahomes started to move outside the pocket more to give his receivers downfield to get open; however, this resulted in him holding the ball for longer, which you can’t do against this pass rush. Derrick Hall absolutely nailed him from behind, sending the ball loose. Remarkably, Mahomes twice got up to try and retrieve it amongst arms and legs everywhere. He finally recovered it somehow, but the damage was done by that stage,
Running Back
Kenneth Walker III: 14 Carries, 36 Yards | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 21 Yards
All the talk in the lead-up was whether Walker would run all over his former team and show them what they were missing. The exact opposite happened as Walker was held in check by a Seattle defense that set the edge on every running play and had him covered out of the backfield on passing plays. The former Seattle back was dealt with by a team that knew him the best. His 36 yards on the ground were by far his lowest, and only the second time this year he hasn’t eclipsed 100 yards as a rusher. The Chiefs remained committed to him in the fourth quarter, which shows his importance to this team. Walker ran hard, but there was just nowhere to go against this elite run defense. Even in his check-downs out of the backfield, the running back was met with fierce tackling as soon as he secured the ball. His longest play of the day was only a 7-yard run. Just look how personal the Seattle defense took him leaving…
Kenneth Walker's first run goes for 2. 😤 pic.twitter.com/9nH5InzCOT
— Seahawks Lead (@SeahawksLead) October 26, 2026
Emmett Johnson: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Noah Gray: 3 Targets, 3 Receptions, 44 Yards
Noah Gray led this team in receiving yards, and even for those analysing this game, that would be surprising. I hardly noticed that he was on the field, never mind the fact he had three catches. His 19-yard grab early in the first quarter was his key contribution on a drive that resulted in a Chiefs punt. This effort just tells you how ineffective the Chiefs’ wide receivers are right now.
Travis Kelce: 8 Targets, 4 Receptions, 44 Yards
A miserable night for both Kelce and his quarterback as they were totally stifled by a ferocious Seattle defense that clearly established a game of taking away the only two effective parts of this Chiefs offense – Walker and Kelce. The tight end didn’t register a catch until late in the first half and then failed to bring in a pass that was too far behind him to open the second half. The frustration was clear for all to see.
Cyrus Allen: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 18 Yards
Xavier Worthy: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 11 Yards
A rough night for Worthy, who not only made a bad drop on a relatively easy catch over the middle but also was hopeless in blocking downfield when the Chiefs tried to get Walker going with some dump-offs. Despite a decent performance last week, Worthy struggles to make himself a part of this offense when coming up against the better defenses in the league.
Patrick Mahomes Looked Pretty Upset After Xavier Worthy Dropped This One.
Great Pass. Right Through The Hands.
Mahomes Wasn't Having It. 😤 pic.twitter.com/t4bBYF6sZa
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 26, 2026
Justin Watson: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 7 Yards
Andrew Armstrong: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Jaylon Royals: 2 Targets
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: 20/28, 257 Yards, TD, INT | 2 Carries, 17 Yards
In stark contrast to Mahomes, Darnold was superb when it mattered. His throws to JSN in the red zone twice proved to be game-defining throws. The first was put in a spot where his receiver could make a play on the ball – JSN then beautifully transferred the ball to his opposite hand to haul it for a touchdown on review. The two then connected again late in the first half as a pinpoint deep ball was expertly brought in by JSN for a 28-yard gain to put the Seahawks at the Chiefs’ 2-yard line. Darnold threw a pick a few plays later, but the Chiefs couldn’t capitalise on it for points. With a 10-point lead at the half, Darnold managed the game with aplomb in the second half, moving the ball consistently while also burning the clock. The Seahawks had the ball for nearly 18 minutes in the second half, and Darnold was key on a 9-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that included a brilliant 14-yard connection with JSN to set the tone. After a couple of uncertain weeks, it was encouraging for fantasy managers to see Darnold back to near what he produced all of last season.
Running Back
Emanuel Wilson: 24 Carries, 100 Yards, TD | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 15 Yards
A career night for the former Packers running back, who has taken advantage of injuries in Seattle to establish himself as the trusted back in the absence of rookie Jadarian Price. Wilson was effective but unspectacular, and only his breakaway 23-yard burst for a score late in the fourth quarter made this a fantasy-relevant night. However, it was a deserved reward for his tough, patient running all contest. Seattle ran the ball 34 times and made a point of establishing the ground game even on early downs without joy on many occasions. Wilson should be in line for a couple more weeks of work, and even when Price and veteran Zach Charbonnet return, he has shown he can be a reliable option.
George Holani: 5 Carries, 11 Yards | 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 12 Yards
Velus Jones Jr.: 5 Carries, 8 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 12 Targets, 9 Receptions, 150 Yards, TD | 2 Carries, 13 Yards
As good as Darnold was in the second quarter, JSN made the two basket catches look effortless as he notched 126 yards and a touchdown before the half in a dominant display of route running, speed, and skill at the catch. He was contained somewhat after halftime, but the best wideout in football in terms of fantasy production on a consistent basis did not disappoint once again. Unlike in Kansas City, Seattle has a bona fide WR1 who is given every chance to succeed, and this is what won the Seahawks the game. This was his sixth 100+ yard game of the season, and he currently leads the league with eight receiving touchdowns too. A master at the top of his game.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is OUT OF THIS WORLD. 🤯
📺 Sunday Night Football: Chiefs at Seahawks on NBC & Peacock pic.twitter.com/zvszSx9PlC
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) October 26, 2026
AJ Barner: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 42 Yards | 3 Carries, 4 Yards
Barner’s role in this offense is limited but multifarious. He pops up on short yardage and third-and-fourth down plays to provide another element for the defense to think about. His key role came in the final touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, converting on third and short to move the chains before popping up over the middle to move the Seahawks deep into Chiefs territory. Barner hasn’t been the red zone threat this year as he was last, but there is time for that to change.
Cooper Kupp: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 20 Yards
Eric Saubert: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 17 Yards
Rashid Shaheed: 3 Targets, 1 Reception, 1 Yard
The speedster was ruled out of this game in the first half with a knee injury after colliding with JSN in the endzone jumping for a ball that was intercepted by Chiefs defensive back Nohl Williams. Up to that point, Shaheed had only recorded one catch and had little opportunity to stretch out downfield.
Tory Horton: 1 Target