Steelers 34, Seahawks 20: Warren runs wild, defense delivers in Pittsburgh’s home win

PITTSBURGH, PA - The Pittsburgh Steelers leaned on a punishing ground game and a relentless pass rush to dispatch the Seattle Seahawks 34-20 on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium, moving to 1-1 on the season.

Game Recap

The Seahawks struck early on special teams when Nehemiah Pritchett electrified the first quarter with a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown, silencing the Pittsburgh crowd. But from there, the Steelers imposed their will.

Behind a career day from Jaylen Warren, the Steelers controlled the line of scrimmage. Warren gashed Seattle for 144 yards on 23 carries, including a 74-yard burst in the fourth quarter that sealed the win. He finished with two rushing touchdowns, giving Pittsburgh a consistent spark while the passing game sputtered.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 158 yards with no touchdowns and an interception, but Pittsburgh didn't need vintage Rodgers. Instead, the Steelers mixed in short runs from Ben Skowronek and Jonnu Smith, who each contributed key yards on misdirection plays.

Defensively, Pittsburgh suffocated the Seahawks. The front seven piled up six sacks, with Patrick Queen, Derrick Harmon, and Alex Highsmith each bringing down Sam Darnold. Safety John Johnson III delivered the dagger, jumping a pass and returning it 27 yards for a pick-six with 1:51 remaining.

Seattle (0-2) showed flashes of explosiveness. Sam Darnold completed 23 of 30 passes for 292 yards, connecting with Jaxon Smith-Njigba (96 yards) and Kenneth Walker III, who ripped off a 61-yard run and scored on a 3-yard plunge. But the Seahawks faltered inside the 20, going just 1-of-6 in the red zone and settling for field goals that let Pittsburgh take control late.

Key Stats

Jaylen Warren was the star of the afternoon, carrying the ball 23 times for 144 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-breaking 74-yard sprint late in the fourth quarter. While Aaron Rodgers didn't light up the scoreboard, he managed the game effectively, completing 15 of 27 passes for 158 yards, though he did throw one interception. On the other side, Sam Darnold kept Seattle competitive with a sharp 23-for-30 performance for 292 yards, but his lone interception proved costly as it was returned for a touchdown by John Johnson III.

Seattle's playmakers flashed throughout the day, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba hauling in six catches for 96 yards and Kenneth Walker III contributing 95 rushing yards, a touchdown, and 66 more yards through the air. The Seahawks also struck on special teams when Nehemiah Pritchett housed a 54-yard punt return. Still, Pittsburgh's defense was the difference-maker, recording six sacks, forcing a fumble, and delivering Johnson's late pick-six to slam the door.

Quotes

"We knew this was going to be a physical game," Warren said. "The line gave me lanes all day, and once I hit the crease, it was just about finishing."

Rodgers praised the defense: "When your defense is flying around like that, it changes everything. John's pick-six broke it open."

Darnold lamented Seattle's missed chances: "We moved the ball well, but you can't kick field goals all day against a team like Pittsburgh. That was the difference."

Up Next

The Steelers hit the road in Week 3 to face the New England Patriots in Foxborough, while the Seahawks return home looking for their first win as they take on the New Orleans Saints.