The Vikings only allowed one offensive touchdown in Seattle, but they couldn't stop the Seahawks from flying away with the win.
Minnesota lost its fourth straight game with a score of 26-0, its first time being shut out since 2007.
Joshua Metellus said it "definitely stings" to continue going back to work each week but seeing similar results on game day. He emphasized a closeness of the locker room through adversity and expressed gratitude for the culture that remains intact.
Bright spots defensively shined throughout the afternoon but ultimately weren't enough to slow the skid.
Eric Wilson seemingly showed up all over the field once again. The veteran linebacker led Minnesota with 11 tackles, a season-high, and recorded four tackles for loss and a sack of Sam Darnold, bringing his season total to a career-high 4.5.
"If we're blitzing, we've gotta stick together, play together, and we'll get after him," Wilson said.
The Vikings pressured their former quarterback early and often, visibly rattling Darnold on more than one occasion. Andrew Van Ginkel dropped him once for a 5-yard loss, and second-year outside linebacker Dallas Turner recorded two strip sacks — becoming just the third Viking since 2000 to have more than one in a game. The first fumble was recovered by Seattle, but on the second instance, Jalen Redmond secured the loose ball. Minnesota's offense unfortunately was unable to capitalize on the turnover that provided favorable field position.
Darnold finished the day 14-of-26 passing for 128 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating was 67.5, his second lowest of the season.
The Vikings limited the NFL's leading receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to just two catches (four targets), and tight end A.J. Barner was Seattle's top target Sunday with just 35 yards through the air.
"That was a big emphasis. Premium players don't get the ball," Metellus said. "[Smith Njigba's] the guy. So whatever we could do to limit his amount of impact in the game, that was the goal."
Minnesota did struggle some against the run; missed tackles caused issues as Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet combined for 108 yards rushing.
The Vikings defense kept Seattle out of the end zone for most of the game, with the Seahawks only offensive TD occurring midway through the fourth quarter on a 17-yard Charbonnet run. Seattle's first touchdown was an 85-yard pick six of rookie QB Max Brosmer, who started in place of J.J. McCarthy (concussion protocol).
Minnesota also forced Seattle into 15 third-down situations, tied for the team's second-most this season. The Seahawks converted just six of those third downs (40%).
Metellus acknowledged there's some pride to be had in stifling an offense "that's been firing" all season.
"Shout out to Sammy D. and the boys, you know, they've been doing anything this year," Metellus said. "We knew we had a test. We had to do whatever we could to give our offense a chance … but I think we still left a lot of plays out there. We didn't play great, but we did play pretty good."
Added Wilson: "If they get into a short field, our mentality is to keep them to a field goal. … We've gotta hold up there."
Despite Minnesota's efforts, the Seahawks were able to move the ball into field goal range for Jason Myers four times. The veteran kicker made attempts from 33, 56, 54 and 40 yards, respectively.
"I did think our defense played as well as they could, considering the amount of lift they had to do today," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell said. "We didn't have a type of offensive performance that is ever going to be acceptable."
While more difficult to appreciate in the sting of defeat, the Vikings defense had a few notable benchmarks Sunday.
Turner's 8.5 sacks since the start of last season are tied for the most in the NFL among all players 22 years old and younger. He also is one of three players this season, joining Myles Garrett and Tyrice Knight, with multiple strip sacks in a game.
Harrison Smith had five tackles on the day and also nabbed his 100th career pass defensed, becoming just the fourth active player to reach the mark. He joins Darius Slay, Jalen Ramsey and Denzel Ward.
Ask anyone in the Vikings locker room, and they'll tell you wins carry much more weight than individual stats — so moving to 4-8 on the season is immensely difficult. The team will look to stay united and stop the slide as it preps to host Washington at U.S. Bank Stadium next weekend.
"You control what you can control, and when you've got the kind of guys we have and you have Flo' (Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores) leading the way, I think it's easy to play for the guys right next to you," Metellus said.
View the 2025 Vikings Schedule.
See the Vikings 2026 Opponents.
Check out the Vikings 2026 Draft Picks.
View future opponents for the Vikings.
Buy single game tickets.
Download the official Vikings App.
