The Seahawks were able to beat the Steelers by two touchdowns on Sunday for a number of reasons, ranging from the play of Sam Darnold, who overcame two turnovers to have a great game, to the Kenneth Walker III-led running game, to a secondary locking down Pittsburgh's passing game to a heads up play on special teams that resulted in a touchdown.
But of all the position groups that stepped up for the Seahawks in a 31-17 road victory, the most impressive, from start to finish, very well might have been the defensive front, which was not only stingy against the run for a second straight game, but that also put veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers under a ton of pressure.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, the Seahawks generated pressure on 40 percent of Rodgers' dropbacks when rushing four or fewer defenders, resulting in 13 pressures and three sacks on those plays. With the front four getting home, the Seahawks blitzed on only four drop backs.
That level of pressure was a big reason why, a week after completing 73.3 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions, Rodgers was held to a 54.5 completion percentage while throwing one touchdown and two interceptions.
Helping lead the charge up front on Sunday was second-year defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, who had 1.5 sacks and five tackles. According to Next Gen Stats, Murphy generated a career-best five pressures in the game, including one quick pressure (under 2.5 seconds).
"Look, I'm not surprised at all," nose tackle Jarran Reed said when asked about Murphy's standout performance. "I knew he was going to do this, man. This guy works his ass off every day. He doesn't complain, he doesn't do anything but work hard. I saw the work he put in through the offseason and in training camp and in training camp. He deserves it, man, I was happy for him today to go out there and get two sacks."
Check out the best game-action photos from the Seahawks' Week 2 road game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
Seahawks at Steelers at Acrisure stadium on Sunday, September 14.
