The Seattle Seahawks marched into Jacksonville and decisively silenced the Jaguars, securing a 20-12 victory that exposed some serious flaws in the home team. But was it just a case of Seattle being that good, or Jacksonville simply underperforming after a high-profile win? Let's break down what happened on October 12, 2025.
Sam Darnold, stepping up as quarterback, connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp for crucial touchdown passes, propelling the Seahawks to their win. Beyond the scoreboard, the Seahawks dominated both the offensive and defensive lines, making life miserable for the Jaguars all afternoon. Smith-Njigba had a breakout performance, hauling in eight receptions for a whopping 162 yards. This victory was particularly sweet for Seattle (now 4-2), as it allowed them to bounce back from a heartbreaking, last-second loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the previous week. Despite the long cross-country trip and an early 1 p.m. Eastern Time kickoff, the Seahawks looked remarkably fresh. They continued their impressive record in these early East Coast games, improving to a dominant 22-6 over the last decade. They seem to thrive in that time slot - any thoughts on why?
On the other side, the Jaguars (still 4-2) seemed to be suffering from a post-victory hangover. After their impressive Monday night victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, a team that had been to the Super Bowl three times, Jacksonville looked flat and unprepared. The opening series perfectly encapsulated their struggles: a sack, a holding penalty, and a 3-yard loss. It was a sign of things to come. Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars' star quarterback, endured a torrid afternoon, getting sacked a total of six times. Travis Etienne, the team's leading rusher, was held to a paltry 27 yards on 12 carries.
And this is the part most people miss... A potential turning point came when Lawrence connected with Brian Thomas Jr. for a 54-yard touchdown, only to have it nullified by a costly offsides penalty on rookie Travis Hunter. Ouch! That would have changed the entire momentum.
Jacksonville did manage to make things interesting in the fourth quarter when Lawrence found Tim Patrick for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Seattle's struggles on third down conversions (just 1 for 11) gave Jacksonville a glimmer of hope. But here's where it gets controversial... Some argue that Seattle took their foot off the gas too early, allowing Jacksonville to creep back into the game. Others believe the Jaguars simply capitalized on a few lucky breaks.
The Seahawks ultimately sealed the deal with a huge 61-yard reception by tight end AJ Barner, allowing them to run out the clock and secure the victory.
Adding insult to injury, newly acquired Jaguars cornerback Greg Newsome had a debut to forget. Smith-Njigba blazed past Newsome on his very first snap with Jacksonville, turning it into a 61-yard touchdown reception. It was a moment Newsome will likely want to erase from his memory. He was simply beaten for pure speed, catching Darnold's pass in stride and waltzing into the end zone.
In a heartwarming moment before the game, Jaguars defensive end and team captain Josh Hines-Allen had a special helper for the coin toss. Hines-Allen brought his 8-year-old son, Wesley, to midfield as part of the NFL's "Crucial Catch" program, dedicated to fighting cancer. Wesley, an honorary captain, had recently completed treatment for pediatric cancer, having been diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia in December and undergoing chemotherapy for six months. A truly inspiring story.
Unfortunately, the game wasn't without its casualties. Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed injured his left leg in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks were already playing without three starting defensive backs: safety Julian Love and cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen, making their defensive performance even more impressive. For the Jaguars, defensive end Travon Walker was active despite having wrist surgery less than two weeks prior. He played primarily on passing downs while wearing a protective club on his left hand.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will remain in the AFC South, hosting the Houston Texans next Monday night. The Jaguars will "host" the Los Angeles Rams at Wembley Stadium in London next Sunday.
So, what are your thoughts on the game? Did Seattle dominate, or did Jacksonville simply self-destruct? And how will these teams fare in their upcoming games? Let us know in the comments below!
