New Orleans Saints vs Seahawks Match Player Stats
The new orleans saints vs seahawks match player stats from Seattle’s 44-13 victory over New Orleans tell a much deeper story than the final score alone. The Seahawks built a 38-6 halftime advantage, produced two rushing touchdowns, added a defensive or special teams touchdown, and received a standout performance from Tory Horton. The Saints, meanwhile, moved the ball at times but struggled to turn possessions into touchdowns and finished with only 284 total yards. (ESPN)
One date detail is worth clarifying at the outset. ESPN lists the game as September 21, 2025, rather than September 22. If you encountered September 22 elsewhere, that can result from date or timezone presentation. The official ESPN box score identifies the matchup as New Orleans at Seattle and records the final score as Seahawks 44, Saints 13. (ESPN)
This article breaks down the individual performances, team statistics, quarterback play, rushing and receiving production, defensive numbers, special teams impact, and the statistical reasons the game became a one-sided contest so quickly.
New Orleans Saints vs Seahawks Match Player Stats: Game Overview
Seattle entered the game at 1-1 and moved to 2-1 with the victory. New Orleans fell to 0-3. The final score was 44-13, but the scoring pattern is arguably more revealing than the final margin.
| Quarter | Saints | Seahawks |
| 1st | 0 | 21 |
| 2nd | 6 | 17 |
| 3rd | 0 | 6 |
| 4th | 7 | 0 |
| Final | 13 | 44 |
Seattle scored 38 points before halftime, while New Orleans managed only six. The Saints eventually scored their only touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Spencer Rattler connected with Jack Stoll for 13 yards. (ESPN)
That scoring distribution explains one of the central lessons from this matchup: the Saints were not simply beaten by a late surge. Seattle established control immediately.
The Seahawks scored three touchdowns in the opening quarter. Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught a 12-yard touchdown from Sam Darnold, Tory Horton returned a punt 95 yards for another score, and Kenneth Walker III added a 3-yard rushing touchdown.
Seattle then added 17 more points in the second quarter.
The result was effectively determined before halftime.
The Biggest Numbers From the Match
The basic team statistics show a game in which Seattle was more efficient even though the Saints actually held the ball longer.
| Statistic | Saints | Seahawks |
| Total yards | 284 | 320 |
| Passing yards | 205 | 233 |
| Rushing yards | 79 | 87 |
| Total plays | 70 | 54 |
| Yards per play | 4.1 | 5.9 |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Third down | 3/9 | 5/15 |
| Red zone | 1/3 | 4/5 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Possession | 32:16 | 27:44 |
| Penalties | 11-77 | 8-70 |
(ESPN)
At first glance, the total yardage difference of 36 yards does not appear large enough to explain a 31-point victory.
That is precisely why looking only at total yards can be misleading.
Seattle averaged 5.9 yards per play, compared with 4.1 for New Orleans. The Seahawks also converted four of five red-zone opportunities into touchdowns or scores, while the Saints converted just one of three red-zone opportunities into a touchdown.
Seattle generated more value from fewer plays.
That efficiency gap is one of the most important pieces of the statistical picture.
Spencer Rattler’s Passing Performance
Spencer Rattler completed 28 of 39 passes for 218 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. He averaged 5.6 yards per attempt and finished with an 83.1 passer rating and 51.3 QBR according to ESPN’s box score. (ESPN)
On the surface, 28 completions from 39 attempts represents a respectable completion percentage of 71.8%.
But the context matters.
Rattler was forced to throw frequently because New Orleans spent much of the game playing from behind. His passing volume helped the Saints accumulate 205 net passing yards as a team, but it did not produce enough scoring.
His final individual line:
- Completions: 28
- Attempts: 39
- Completion rate: 71.8%
- Passing yards: 218
- Yards per attempt: 5.6
- Touchdowns: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Sacks: 2
- Yards lost on sacks: 13
- Passer rating: 83.1
- QBR: 51.3
Rattler’s statistics also illustrate why completion percentage alone should not be used to evaluate a quarterback’s performance.
He completed many passes, but the Saints struggled to generate explosive gains. His longest completion was 21 yards, and the team finished with only 205 net passing yards after accounting for sacks. (ESPN)
Rattler’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Jack Stoll came with less than 15 minutes remaining. By then, Seattle already had a 44-6 advantage.
Tyler Shough’s Limited Appearance
Tyler Shough attempted only two passes and completed neither.
His final passing line was:
- 0 completions
- 2 attempts
- 0 yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
That means the overwhelming majority of New Orleans’ passing production came from Rattler.
ESPN’s season game log also confirms that the Seattle matchup was Rattler’s third start of the 2025 regular season. Through those first three games, his passing volume had been significant, but the Saints had yet to record a victory. (ESPN)
Sam Darnold’s Efficient Performance
Sam Darnold produced one of the cleanest quarterback stat lines of the game.
He completed 14 of 18 passes for 218 yards, threw two touchdowns, and did not throw an interception. He was not sacked.
His final numbers were:
- Completions: 14
- Attempts: 18
- Completion rate: 77.8%
- Passing yards: 218
- Yards per attempt: 12.1
- Touchdowns: 2
- Interceptions: 0
- Sacks: 0
- Passer rating: 154.2
- QBR: 98.1
(ESPN)
The striking statistic is the 12.1 yards per attempt.
Darnold threw only 18 passes but produced the same 218 passing yards as Rattler. That is a major efficiency difference.
His first touchdown went to Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 12 yards. His second went to Tory Horton for 14 yards.
Seattle did not need Darnold to throw 35 or 40 passes. The Seahawks established an early lead, ran the offense efficiently, and avoided turnovers.
Drew Lock later completed two of three attempts for 15 yards.
Why Darnold’s Numbers Matter
Darnold’s stat line demonstrates how offensive efficiency can outweigh raw volume.
Rattler:
39 attempts → 218 yards
Darnold:
18 attempts → 218 yards
The difference was not simply completion percentage. It was the amount of yardage generated per attempt and Seattle’s ability to convert its opportunities into points.
ESPN’s team statistics show Seattle averaged 11.1 passing yards per attempt compared with 4.8 for New Orleans. (ESPN)
That is a substantial difference.
Alvin Kamara’s Rushing Numbers
Alvin Kamara led New Orleans in rushing with:
- 18 carries
- 42 yards
- 2.3 yards per carry
- 8-yard long
- 0 touchdowns
(ESPN)
Kamara’s workload was significant, but his efficiency was limited.
His 42 yards accounted for more than half of New Orleans’ 79 rushing yards. Kendre Miller added 27 yards on seven carries, while Rattler contributed 10 rushing yards.
The Saints finished with 27 rushing attempts for 79 yards, averaging only 2.9 yards per carry.
That made sustaining drives difficult.
When a team averages under three yards per rushing attempt, it places greater pressure on the passing game to consistently produce manageable down-and-distance situations. Against Seattle, New Orleans did not generate enough explosive plays to compensate.
Kenneth Walker III Scores Twice
Kenneth Walker III led Seattle’s rushing attack with:
- 16 carries
- 38 yards
- 2.4 yards per carry
- 10-yard long
- 2 touchdowns
(ESPN)
His rushing average was not spectacular, but the touchdowns were extremely important.
Walker scored on runs of three yards and one yard. Those plays demonstrate an important difference between raw rushing efficiency and scoring efficiency.
A running back does not need to average five or six yards per carry to have a major statistical impact if his team consistently reaches scoring position.
Seattle finished with 87 rushing yards on 33 attempts, averaging 2.6 yards per carry.
George Holani added 27 yards on 10 carries, while Jacardia Wright gained 20 yards on five carries.
Seattle’s rushing statistics therefore resemble New Orleans’ in one important respect: neither team was highly efficient on the ground.
The difference was what Seattle did with its opportunities.
Chris Olave Leads New Orleans in Receiving
Chris Olave was the Saints’ leading receiver.
His final line:
- 10 receptions
- 57 yards
- 5.7 yards per reception
- 14 targets
- 0 touchdowns
- 9-yard long
(ESPN)
Olave’s 10 receptions were the most by any Saints player.
He was also targeted 14 times, accounting for more than one-third of New Orleans’ 41 team targets.
The interesting part is that his volume did not translate into explosive production.
Ten catches for 57 yards means New Orleans frequently used Olave as a possession option rather than as a consistent source of large gains.
Juwan Johnson followed with six receptions for 51 yards, while Rashid Shaheed recorded four catches for 42 yards.
Jack Stoll had only two receptions, but one was the Saints’ only touchdown catch of the game.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Produces the Big Plays
Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Seattle’s leading receiver with:
- 5 receptions
- 96 yards
- 19.2 yards per reception
- 6 targets
- 1 touchdown
- 45-yard long
(ESPN)
This was a particularly efficient performance.
Smith-Njigba produced 96 yards on only five receptions. His 19.2-yard average was more than three times Olave’s average.
He also scored Seattle’s first touchdown.
That early score helped establish the game’s tone and gave Seattle immediate control.
Tory Horton added three receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown. Cooper Kupp recorded two receptions for 31 yards.
The Seahawks therefore did not rely on one receiver for all of their production.
They spread the ball across multiple targets while creating several high-value plays.
Tory Horton Was the Special Teams Difference-Maker
If one player transformed the game beyond the conventional offensive statistics, it was Tory Horton.
Horton recorded:
- 3 receptions
- 32 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown
- 3 punt returns
- 114 punt-return yards
- 38.0 yards per return
- 95-yard long
- 1 punt-return touchdown
(ESPN)
His 95-yard punt return touchdown was one of the game’s defining moments.
It also had immediate scoreboard impact.
Seattle already led 7-0 after the Smith-Njigba touchdown. Horton’s return made it 14-0.
The Seahawks then added another touchdown later in the first quarter to move ahead 21-0.
The AP recap reported that the 95-yard return was the longest punt return in Seahawks franchise history. (ESPN)
This is a critical point when evaluating the new orleans saints vs seahawks match player stats.
A box-score comparison focused only on passing and rushing would miss one of the biggest individual contributions of the night.
Horton’s special teams production was directly responsible for seven points and helped Seattle create an early three-score advantage.
Seattle’s Special Teams Created Separation
Seattle’s special teams were not merely a supporting unit.
They were a major part of the scoreboard.
The Seahawks also had a blocked punt that helped set up Kenneth Walker III’s first touchdown, according to the game recap. (ESPN)
That means Seattle’s special teams contributed through:
- A 95-yard punt return touchdown.
- A blocked punt that helped create a scoring opportunity.
- Strong field-position contributions.
- Reliable kicking from Jason Myers.
Jason Myers finished:
- 3/3 field goals
- Long: 56 yards
- 5/5 extra points
- 14 total points
(ESPN)
For New Orleans, Blake Grupe made two of three field-goal attempts and converted his only extra-point attempt.
The Saints received solid kicking production, but Seattle’s special teams had a far greater influence on the game.
Defensive Player Statistics
Seattle’s defense recorded:
- 77 total tackles
- 53 solo tackles
- 2 sacks
- 4 tackles for loss
- 7 passes defended
- 8 quarterback hits
- 1 defensive touchdown
New Orleans recorded:
- 67 total tackles
- 35 solo tackles
- 0 sacks
- 3 tackles for loss
- 2 passes defended
- 2 quarterback hits
- 0 defensive touchdowns
(ESPN)
The contrast in quarterback pressure is notable.
Seattle registered two sacks and eight quarterback hits.
New Orleans recorded zero sacks and only two quarterback hits.
That does not mean the Saints defense played poorly on every snap. Pete Werner, for example, led New Orleans with 13 total tackles, while Demario Davis recorded 11.
But Seattle’s defense generated more disruptive plays.
New Orleans Defensive Leaders
Pete Werner:
- 13 tackles
- 7 solo tackles
Demario Davis:
- 11 tackles
- 2 solo tackles
- 1 tackle for loss
Nathan Shepherd:
- 5 tackles
- 1 tackle for loss
Justin Reid:
- 4 tackles
- 4 solo tackles
(ESPN)
Werner’s 13 tackles were the highest individual total in the game.
But high tackle totals can sometimes be a sign that an opposing offense is reaching the second level consistently. Tackles alone do not tell the complete defensive story.
Seattle Defensive Leaders
Seattle’s leading tacklers included Josh Jobe with 11 total tackles and Ty Okada with nine.
Ernest Jones IV recorded seven tackles.
Riq Woolen had six tackles.
Seattle also received contributions from several defenders in pass coverage and the pass rush. Derion Kendrick recorded the game’s only interception. (ESPN)
Kendrick’s interception was particularly important because New Orleans finished with one interception while Seattle threw none.
Derion Kendrick’s Interception
Derion Kendrick recorded:
- 1 interception
- 0 interception-return yards
- 0 interception-return touchdowns
- 4 total tackles
- 1 solo tackle
- 3 passes defended
(ESPN)
The interception gave Seattle an important turnover advantage even though both teams ultimately finished with one turnover.
Seattle’s lone turnover came from a fumble, while New Orleans’ turnover came through Rattler’s interception.
So the turnover count was tied at one each, but the nature and timing of turnovers were different.
New Orleans’ Passing Game vs Seattle’s Coverage
One of the most revealing statistical differences was the number of explosive passing plays.
New Orleans completed 28 passes but averaged only 7.8 yards per completed reception as a team.
Seattle completed 16 passes and averaged 14.6 yards per completed reception. (ESPN)
That is a major contrast.
New Orleans completed many short and intermediate passes.
Seattle generated more yardage per catch.
The Seahawks also recorded seven passes defended compared with two for New Orleans.
The result was an offense that needed fewer completions to generate comparable passing yardage.
Red-Zone Efficiency Explains Much of the Score
Red-zone statistics are among the clearest indicators of why the final score became so lopsided.
Seattle:
4 touchdowns on 5 red-zone opportunities
New Orleans:
1 touchdown on 3 red-zone opportunities
(ESPN)
Seattle converted 80% of its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
New Orleans converted only one-third.
That difference alone does not account for all 31 points of separation, but it demonstrates how Seattle maximized scoring opportunities.
The Saints were able to move the ball enough to produce 21 first downs, yet they struggled to finish drives.
That distinction is essential.
Moving the football and scoring points are related, but they are not the same thing.
The Saints Had More Possession
One of the more surprising statistics is time of possession.
New Orleans held the ball for:
32:16
Seattle held the ball for:
27:44
(ESPN)
Ordinarily, winning time of possession can be viewed as a positive sign.
Here, it did not translate into scoreboard success.
The Saints ran 70 offensive plays compared with only 54 for Seattle.
Yet Seattle scored 44 points.
This is a classic example of why possession and play volume should be interpreted alongside efficiency.
New Orleans had the ball more often and ran more plays, but Seattle gained substantially more yards per play.
Seattle’s 5.9 Yards Per Play Stand Out
Seattle averaged 5.9 yards per play.
New Orleans averaged 4.1.
That 1.8-yard difference may appear modest, but across dozens of plays it becomes significant.
Seattle generated 320 yards on 54 plays.
New Orleans generated 284 yards on 70 plays.
In simple terms, Seattle needed fewer plays to move the ball nearly as far.
That efficiency was especially valuable because Seattle also scored through special teams and defensive opportunities.
Penalties Hurt New Orleans
New Orleans committed 11 penalties for 77 yards.
Seattle committed eight penalties for 70 yards. (ESPN)
The Saints’ 11 penalties were significant because they contributed to the team’s overall lack of rhythm.
The AP recap also noted that New Orleans had committed 20 penalties through its first two games and added another 11 against Seattle. (ESPN)
Penalties do not always show up clearly in player statistics, but they can influence down-and-distance, field position, drive sustainability, and scoring opportunities.
For a team already struggling to finish drives, giving away yardage can make an uphill situation even more difficult.
Kick Return Statistics
New Orleans received strong kick-return production from Kendre Miller.
Miller recorded:
- 8 kick returns
- 182 yards
- 22.8-yard average
- 26-yard long
Seattle’s Dareke Young recorded:
- 2 kick returns
- 92 yards
- 46.0-yard average
- 60-yard long
(ESPN)
Miller’s 182 return yards were significant, but Seattle’s average per return was much higher.
The Saints also received a 40-yard punt return from Rashid Shaheed.
Seattle’s Tory Horton, however, turned his punt-return opportunities into a decisive scoring play.
That difference illustrates the importance of return efficiency rather than simply counting return yards.
Punting Statistics
Kai Kroeger punted six times for New Orleans:
- 6 punts
- 243 total yards
- 40.5-yard average
- 61-yard long
Seattle’s Michael Dickson punted twice:
- 2 punts
- 92 total yards
- 46.0-yard average
- 47-yard long
(ESPN)
The number of punts tells its own story.
New Orleans punted six times, while Seattle punted only twice.
That does not automatically mean Seattle’s offense was perfect, but it reflects the difference in offensive drive success.
Seattle frequently converted possessions into scoring opportunities.
Why the Final Score Was So Much Larger Than the Yardage Gap
This is perhaps the most important analytical point in the entire game.
Seattle gained only 36 more total yards than New Orleans.
Yet it won by 31 points.
How?
Several factors worked together:
1. Special teams touchdowns
Tory Horton’s 95-yard punt return produced seven points.
2. Red-zone execution
Seattle scored four touchdowns in five red-zone opportunities.
3. Explosive passing
Seattle averaged 11.1 yards per pass attempt compared with New Orleans’ 4.8.
4. Defensive disruption
Seattle recorded two sacks, eight quarterback hits, seven passes defended, and an interception.
5. Early scoring
Seattle led 21-0 after one quarter and 38-6 at halftime.
6. New Orleans struggled to finish drives
The Saints produced 21 first downs but only one offensive touchdown.
7. Seattle avoided passing turnovers
Darnold threw two touchdowns without an interception.
These factors combined to create a much larger scoring gap than the total-yardage comparison would suggest.
What the Player Stats Say About Each Team
The new orleans saints vs seahawks match player stats provide a useful example of why football analysis requires more than one box-score category.
For New Orleans, the most productive players by volume included Rattler, Olave, Kamara and Werner.
Rattler completed 28 passes.
Olave caught 10 passes.
Kamara received 18 rushing attempts.
Werner made 13 tackles.
But those high-volume performances did not result in enough scoring.
For Seattle, the biggest impact came from a combination of efficiency and situational production.
Darnold threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns on only 18 attempts.
Smith-Njigba produced 96 receiving yards on five catches.
Walker scored twice despite averaging only 2.4 yards per carry.
Horton scored through both the passing game and special teams.
That combination explains the outcome more effectively than any single statistic.
A Closer Look at Chris Olave vs Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The two leading receivers produced very different statistical profiles.
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Yards/Reception | TD |
| Chris Olave | 10 | 57 | 5.7 | 0 |
| Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 5 | 96 | 19.2 | 1 |
(ESPN)
Olave had twice as many receptions.
Smith-Njigba gained 39 more yards.
This is a useful reminder that reception totals do not necessarily measure offensive impact by themselves.
Olave was heavily involved in the Saints’ passing attack, but Seattle’s defensive structure limited the yardage gained from those completions.
Smith-Njigba, meanwhile, generated considerably more yardage on fewer opportunities.
A Closer Look at Kamara vs Walker
The running back comparison is also interesting.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | TD |
| Alvin Kamara | 18 | 42 | 2.3 | 0 |
| Kenneth Walker III | 16 | 38 | 2.4 | 2 |
(ESPN)
Kamara gained four more rushing yards.
Walker scored two touchdowns.
Neither player produced a high rushing average, but Walker’s carries came with substantially greater scoring value.
This is why fantasy-style box-score analysis and actual game analysis can produce different conclusions.
A player can have fewer yards while still having greater influence on the scoreboard.
What the Match Reveals About Offensive Efficiency
The game is a strong example of why offensive efficiency matters.
New Orleans ran 70 plays.
Seattle ran 54.
New Orleans had more possession.
New Orleans had 21 first downs.
Yet Seattle won 44-13.
The biggest difference was that Seattle produced more yards and points from each opportunity.
This is especially visible through the passing statistics.
Seattle’s 233 passing yards came on 21 team attempts.
New Orleans’ 205 passing yards came on 41 team attempts.
Seattle therefore generated substantially more yardage per attempt.
That was the foundation of the offensive disparity.
Why the First Half Changed Everything
Seattle’s 38-6 halftime lead changed the nature of the second half.
Once a team has a 32-point advantage, offensive strategy can shift.
The leading team has less reason to take unnecessary risks.
The trailing team must become more aggressive.
That creates a statistical environment where passing volume can rise for the losing team while efficiency falls.
New Orleans’ final numbers need to be viewed through that lens.
Rattler attempted 39 passes, while Darnold attempted only 18.
The difference was not simply quarterback preference.
It was game situation.
Seattle had already created separation.
New Orleans had to chase the score.
The Fourth Quarter Provides Important Context
The fourth quarter ended 7-0 in favor of New Orleans.
The Saints finally reached the end zone when Rattler found Stoll for a 13-yard touchdown.
Seattle did not score in the final quarter.
That means the final 15 minutes were statistically much closer than the first 45.
But this should not obscure the game’s overall shape.
Seattle had already scored 44 points.
The Seahawks’ 38-6 halftime advantage meant that the fourth quarter was played with the outcome effectively settled.
The quarter-by-quarter breakdown therefore matters when interpreting late-game statistics.
What Fantasy Football Players Can Learn From the Box Score
Although this was a real NFL game rather than a fantasy exercise, the player statistics contain useful fantasy lessons.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Five receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown made him one of the most productive skill-position players in the game.
His 45-yard reception helped produce a high yards-per-catch figure.
Tory Horton
Horton’s three catches and touchdown were useful, but his punt-return touchdown was an enormous part of his real-world fantasy value in leagues that award return points.
Kenneth Walker III
Two rushing touchdowns significantly increased his scoring output despite only 38 rushing yards.
Chris Olave
Olave’s 10 receptions produced a high reception total but only 57 yards and no touchdown.
Alvin Kamara
Kamara received 18 carries but averaged only 2.3 yards per attempt.
These numbers show why workload, efficiency and scoring opportunities all need to be considered together.
The Most Important Individual Statistical Takeaways
If you want the shortest possible summary of the new orleans saints vs seahawks match player stats, these are the numbers that matter most:
- Sam Darnold: 14/18, 218 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
- Spencer Rattler: 28/39, 218 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: 5 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
- Chris Olave: 10 receptions, 57 yards
- Kenneth Walker III: 16 carries, 38 yards, 2 TD
- Alvin Kamara: 18 carries, 42 yards
- Tory Horton: 3 receptions, 32 yards, 1 receiving TD, 114 punt-return yards, 1 punt-return TD
- Derion Kendrick: 1 interception
- Jason Myers: 3/3 field goals, 5/5 extra points
- Pete Werner: 13 tackles
(ESPN)
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between the Saints and Seahawks?
The Seattle Seahawks defeated the New Orleans Saints 44-13. Seattle led 21-0 after the first quarter and 38-6 at halftime. (ESPN)
How many yards did Spencer Rattler pass for?
Spencer Rattler passed for 218 yards on 28 completions from 39 attempts. He threw one touchdown and one interception. (ESPN)
How many yards did Sam Darnold throw for?
Sam Darnold threw for 218 yards on 14 completions from 18 attempts. He had two touchdown passes and no interceptions. (ESPN)
Who was the Saints’ leading receiver?
Chris Olave led New Orleans with 10 receptions for 57 yards. He was targeted 14 times but did not score a touchdown. (ESPN)
Who was the Seahawks’ leading receiver?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba led Seattle with five receptions for 96 yards and one touchdown. His longest reception was 45 yards. (ESPN)
Who scored the Seahawks’ special teams touchdown?
Tory Horton returned a New Orleans punt 95 yards for a touchdown. The play was reported as the longest punt return in Seahawks franchise history. Horton also caught a 14-yard touchdown pass from Darnold. (ESPN)
Conclusion
The new orleans saints vs seahawks match player stats show why the 44-13 final score cannot be explained by total yardage alone.
New Orleans actually ran more plays, held the ball longer and recorded 21 first downs. The Saints also had 284 total yards compared with Seattle’s 320.
The difference was efficiency and situational execution.
Seattle averaged 5.9 yards per play compared with 4.1 for New Orleans. The Seahawks converted four of five red-zone opportunities into touchdowns or scores, while the Saints scored only one offensive touchdown in three red-zone trips.
Sam Darnold was extremely efficient, producing 218 passing yards and two touchdowns on just 18 attempts. Jaxon Smith-Njigba generated 96 yards on five receptions. Kenneth Walker III scored twice. Tory Horton added both a receiving touchdown and a historic 95-yard punt-return touchdown.
For New Orleans, Spencer Rattler completed 28 passes for 218 yards, Chris Olave caught 10 passes for 57 yards, Alvin Kamara rushed for 42 yards, and Pete Werner led the team with 13 tackles.
The statistical story is therefore not simply that Seattle gained more yards. It is that Seattle extracted far more scoring value from its opportunities, particularly in the first half and on special teams.
That is the most useful way to read this box score: volume explains who was involved, but efficiency, field position, turnovers, explosive plays and red-zone execution explain why the game ended 44-13.
