The Seattle Seahawks opened their title defense with a 13-10 comeback victory after losing Sam Darnold to a hip injury on the opening possession. Seattle intercepted three passes in the fourth quarter, and its offense delivered two late scoring drives with a backup quarterback to secure the opening win.

What happened

Darnold's injury changed Seattle's quarterback situation almost immediately. The Seahawks announced before halftime that he would not return, according to NFL.com, leaving the offense to complete the opener without its starter.

Seattle found enough offense late to turn the game. Its backup quarterback led two scoring drives, while the defense intercepted three passes during the fourth quarter. Those contributions helped the Seahawks finish with a three-point victory despite Darnold's early exit.

Why it matters

The defending champions begin their title defense 1-0 after an opener that tested their ability to respond without their starting quarterback. The result gives Seattle an opening victory, but Darnold's availability remains unresolved heading into the next game.

The late scoring drives were the offense's decisive response to his absence. Seattle completed the comeback with its backup, an immediate contribution that mattered on a night when the starter could not return. Whether that arrangement will be needed again depends on the next information about Darnold's hip.

By the numbers

Seattle scored 10 of its 13 points in the fourth quarter, according to the Associated Press. That accounted for approximately 77% of its total scoring, concentrating most of the offensive production in the final period.

The Seahawks also intercepted three passes in that quarter, pairing their late scoring with takeaways. The final margin was three points, underscoring how consequential the closing stretch was to the outcome. Seattle's fourth-quarter production supplied the bulk of the points needed to finish ahead.

What to watch next

Seattle's next medical update and Darnold's practice participation are the immediate developments to follow. The announcement that he would not return established his status for the opener; the supplied information does not establish his availability for the next game.

The focus now shifts from completing a comeback to clarifying the quarterback situation. Seattle has its first victory, with the next decision dependent on further information about Darnold's recovery.