Seahawks-Chiefs preseason results: In your words

2 down, 1 to go before the regular season begins!

I had a science teacher in middle school who would play “Run Around Sue” on repeat during tests. I don’t know why he did that, but I’ll never forget that he did.

The Seahawks did a lot of running around on Friday, enough to break down the walls of even the coldest offensive skeptics in the preseason debuts for Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. On the first two drives alone, Seattle rushed 13 times and gained 119 yards, and average of 9.2 yards per carry and three runs of at least 15 yards.

On the second drive, a Jake Bobo touchdown…on a SCREEN pass. Say farewell to tempered expectations for Klint Kubiak’s first season as offensive coordinator.

Bobo scored twice in the first half, Brandon Pili broke through Kansas City’s line for a safety, and the Seahawks looked even better than any team could hope to look against the Chiefs in a preseason game, winning 33-16.

• Seattle had 29 first downs (gave up 9 first downs to KC)

• 477 total yards (allowed 156)

• 7/12 on third down (4/9 for KC)

• 17/21 passing for 209 yards, 2 TD

• 48 carries for 268 yards, 5.6 yards per carry

For the second time this preseason, I’m turning the newsletter around and asking Seahawks fans to tell me what they saw on Friday night. Post your takes, observations, and questions in the comments and I’ll share some of them in Saturday’s newsletter. Hit the like button on the comments you want to see get more attention for whatever reason.

Darnold Debut

I didn’t need to see Sam Darnold tonight, but he started and raised expectations a bit for what to expect in 2025. My earlier post about regression wouldn’t change though.

Darnold went 4/4 for 34 yards but mostly stood back and — to steal a text from a buddy — watched Kubiak’s run game cut through Kansas City’s defense like butter. He had completions to A.J. Barner, JSN, Robbie Ouzts, and Elijah Arroyo. The drive ended on a 15-yard touchdown run for Zach Charbonnet that was sliced wide open on a block from Eric Saubert.

So all three tight ends are doing their part.

Shaky start by starting defense

Saved by a fourth down stop from Julian Love, Seattle’s starting defense was a little unimpressive against Gardner Minshew actually. The Chiefs converted two third-and-short plays and were inside the Seahawks red zone prior to back-to-back stops from the safeties.

The Seahawks weren’t playing Leonard Williams, Demarcus Lawrence, or Tyrice Knight (still injured) so there’s that. But also again, not a real Chiefs offense either. It’s fine, that’s just what happened on the starting defensive drive.

Seattle made sure it didn’t matter, bookending Kansas City’s first drive with an 81-yard TD drive and an 85-yard TD drive.

RB depth

The Seahawks have it.

• Charbonnet: 5 att, 45 yards, 1 TD

• George Holani: 5 att, 49 yards

• Jacardia Wright: 7 att, 38 yards

• Damien Martinez: 11 att, 50 yards, 1 TD

But I don’t see how Mike Macdonald can keep more than four in addition to Ouzts.

Milroe just a bit high

Scheme open a receiver and Jalen Milroe can probably get the ball to him, but seemed his passes were usually high. That was definitely the case on a couple of goal line throws that went nowhere and Seattle settled for a field goal on that drive.

Drew Lock went 10-of-12 for 129 yards and 2 TD, also running for 30 yards on a scramble. Lock was not perfect but the QB pecking order isn’t changing.

The Seahawks play the Packers in the presason finale next Saturday, but the more important exhibition will be joint practices against Green Bay preceding the game.

What are your thoughts from what you saw on Friday night against the Chiefs?