Mike Evans scores on short catch after Sam Darnold interception as Seahawks start rough

The Seahawks got off to a difficult start against a veteran-caliber passing attack, when quarterback Sam Darnold was hit for a 7-yard loss on a second-down sack. The drive took another turn on the next third-down play, as Darnold threw a pass intended for Jaxon Smith-Njigba that was intercepted by Renardo Green.

After the interception, Mike Evans converted the momentum into points with a 2-yard touchdown catch. The score came on a short-distance opportunity, the type of play that often separates teams when field position is unsettled and defenses are forced to defend both tempo and timing.

Darnold’s early pocket collapse and the ensuing turnover put Seattle in a recurring bind: third downs demand quick throws, but the deeper the chain gets after a loss, the more pressure the quarterback faces to place the ball precisely. In this case, the intended target was known, yet the throw was read well enough for Green to make the interception.

For Evans, the touchdown continued the long-running value of reliable red-zone production. A 2-yard score is rarely about big separation, and it emphasizes route sharpness and body control in tight windows, where defenders can crowd and quarterbacks cannot afford late adjustments.

The play also highlights how defensive timing can matter as much as the initial disruption. Green’s interception followed a sack that already pushed Seattle behind the sticks. Once the ball changed hands, the offense that benefits from that swing does not need a long drive to cash it in, especially when a receiver like Evans can finish from close range.

What to watch next is whether the Seahawks can stabilize protection and regain play-calling rhythm after an early turnover. For the other side of the ball, the sequence sets a clear identity: punish mistakes quickly, target a specific receiver but be ready to take the interception when it appears, then use short-yardage execution to turn momentum into points.