You ever watch a game that feels like a fever dream? That’s basically what happened on November 30, 2025. It wasn't just a win; it was a total defensive masterpiece that left the Minnesota Vikings looking like they forgot how to play football entirely. The Seattle Seahawks Vikings game ended in a 26-0 shutout.
Zero points.
If you’re a Vikings fan, it was a nightmare. If you’re a Seahawks fan, it was the moment you realized Mike Macdonald’s defense is actually terrifying.
Honestly, the hype going in was all about the quarterbacks. You had Sam Darnold—who, let’s be real, has been having a career resurgence in Seattle—facing his old team. Then you had the Vikings starting an undrafted rookie, Max Brosmer. J.J. McCarthy was stuck in concussion protocol, so the kid from New Hampshire/Minnesota was thrown into the deep end at Lumen Field.
It went exactly how you’d expect a rookie’s first start in Seattle to go.
Why the Seattle Seahawks Vikings Game Was a Defensive Clinic
Seattle hadn’t shut anyone out in a decade. Ten years! The last time they did it was 2015 against the Bears. But Ernest Jones IV decided he wanted to end that streak.
The play everyone is still talking about happened in the second quarter. The Vikings actually had a chance. They forced a fumble on Darnold and were sitting at the Seattle 4-yard line. Fourth-and-1. Kevin O’Connell decided to go for it.
Mistake.
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DeMarcus Lawrence—who, at 33, is still playing like he’s 22—blew past the line and forced Brosmer into a panicked sidearm heave. Ernest Jones IV snagged it. He didn't just catch it; he took it 85 yards the other way for a touchdown.
"I was so tired," Jones said afterward. You could tell. He looked like he was running through sand by the 40-yard line, but he made it. That one play basically sucked the soul out of the Vikings' sideline.
By the Numbers: A Total Mismatch
- Total Yards: Minnesota 162, Seattle 219.
- Takeaways: Seattle had five. Five!
- Third Down: The Vikings went 2-for-10.
- Justin Jefferson: Held to 2 catches for 4 yards. A career low.
Think about that. Justin Jefferson is arguably the best receiver in the world, and Riq Woolen and the Seattle secondary essentially erased him from the box score. He was targeted six times and basically did nothing. He left the locker room without even talking to the media. Can you blame him?
The Sam Darnold Revenge Story (Sorta)
People wanted to see Darnold light up his former team. It didn't quite happen that way. Brian Flores, the Vikings' defensive coordinator, did exactly what he promised: he blitzed the living daylights out of him.
Darnold was sacked four times in the first half alone. Seattle’s offense was actually kinda struggling. They finished with their fewest total yards of the season. If the defense hadn't been playing like 85' Bears, this could have been a very ugly game.
Instead, Jason Myers just kept kicking field goals. 56 yards. 54 yards. 40 yards. It was a "bend but don't break" afternoon for the Minnesota defense, but their offense gave them zero help.
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Brosmer finished with four interceptions. That’s the most for a QB in his first career start since Nathan Peterman back in 2017. That is not a list you want to be on.
The Ground Game Grind
Seattle eventually realized they just needed to run the clock. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet weren't breaking off 50-yarders, but they were consistent.
- Kenneth Walker III: 13 carries, 56 yards.
- Zach Charbonnet: 14 carries, 52 yards and the only offensive touchdown of the game (a 17-yarder in the 4th).
- Jordan Mason: He was the only spark for Minnesota, but his 24-yard run came way too late to matter.
What This Game Actually Meant
This Seattle Seahawks Vikings game wasn't just another Week 13 matchup. It was a statement. For Seattle, it moved them to 9-3 and proved they could win when the offense was having an "off" day. It solidified them as a legit Super Bowl contender in the NFC West.
For the Vikings, it was the fourth straight loss. It exposed how thin the margin for error is when you're playing a rookie QB against a Mike Macdonald scheme. O'Connell was blunt after the game: "In no way, shape, or form can we play offensive football like that."
It’s also worth noting the injuries. Minnesota lost Ryan Kelly and Aaron Jones during the game. Seattle lost Anthony Bradford and Josh Jobe. These are the kinds of late-season dings that change the trajectory of a playoff race.
If you're looking at the highlights, watch the Ernest Jones pick-six. It’s the perfect distillation of the game: Minnesota's desperation meeting Seattle's preparation.
Moving Forward
The Seahawks are heading to Atlanta next, while the Vikings have to go home and face Washington. If you're a bettor or a fantasy manager, keep an eye on how Justin Jefferson bounces back. He almost never has two bad games in a row.
For the Seahawks, the defensive rotation is the real deal. When DeMarcus Lawrence and Byron Murphy II are creating that much pressure, the secondary can just sit back and ball-hawk.
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If you want to keep track of this season's progress, watch the turnover margin. Seattle is currently leading the league in defensive takeaways over the last three weeks. That's usually the stat that predicts a deep playoff run. Keep an eye on the injury report for Anthony Bradford—if that elbow injury is serious, Seattle's interior line could be a vulnerability against heavier fronts.