The December 14, 2025, matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Indianapolis Colts at Lumen Field will be remembered as one of the most statistically anomalous games in recent NFL history. In a defensive struggle that defied modern offensive trends, the Seattle Seahawks secured an 18–16 victory over the Colts without scoring a single touchdown. This rare feat was made possible by a franchise-record-setting performance from kicker Jason Myers and a defense that neutralized the league’s leading rusher.

Quick Recap of the 18–16 Defensive Battle

The Seattle Seahawks improved to an 11–3 record, while the Indianapolis Colts fell to 8–6 following this Week 15 clash. The game's narrative was dominated by two primary factors: the kicking prowess of Jason Myers and the unexpected return of 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers for the Colts. Rivers, who had been retired from the NFL for nearly five years, was signed as an emergency replacement after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury.

The scoring summary illustrates a game played almost entirely between the twenties. The Colts held a lead for much of the game, including a 16–15 advantage late in the fourth quarter following a massive 60-yard field goal by Blake Grupe with only 47 seconds remaining. However, the Seahawks utilized their final drive to set up Myers for a 56-yard game-winner with 18 seconds on the clock. The game ended on a desperation pass from Rivers that was intercepted by Coby Bryant.

Statistical Breakdown of Jason Myers’ Record Night

In a game where offenses stalled in the red zone, the value of an elite kicker was magnified. Jason Myers provided the entirety of the Seahawks' 18 points, converting all six of his field goal attempts.

  • Field Goals Made: 6-of-6 (Franchise Record)
  • Longest Field Goal: 56 yards (Game-winner)
  • Season Point Total: 153 points (Leads the NFL)

Myers' performance was historic not just for the franchise but for the league. He became one of the few kickers in NFL history to account for every point in a victory where the team scored more than 15 points. His 37 successful field goals on the season now place him in the top 15 for single-season field goals in NFL history. Analyzing the trajectory of his kicks, the 56-yarder into the cool Seattle wind showed remarkable leg strength for a late-season game, cementing his status as a Pro Bowl favorite.

Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Offensive Struggle

The most surprising storyline entering the game was the presence of Philip Rivers under center. At 44 years old, Rivers showed flashes of the intelligence that made him a future Hall of Famer, but the physical limitations were evident against a fast Seattle secondary.

Philip Rivers Passing Stats

  • Completions/Attempts: 18/27
  • Passing Yards: 120
  • Touchdowns: 1
  • Interceptions: 1
  • Passer Rating: 73.1

Rivers utilized a high-percentage, short-passing game, finishing with an average depth of target (aDOT) of only 5.1 yards. While he managed to lead a touchdown drive in the second quarter—finding Josh Downs for an 8-yard score—he was unable to push the ball vertically. The Seahawks' defense allowed Rivers to complete 66.7% of his passes but limited him to just 6.6 yards per completion. This "bend but don't break" approach forced the Colts into long, methodical drives that often ended in punts or field goal attempts by Blake Grupe.

Why the Seahawks Won Without a Touchdown

Winning an NFL game without finding the end zone is incredibly rare; this was only the fourth such win in Seahawks franchise history. Several statistical factors contributed to this outcome:

Defensive Dominance and Yards Allowed

The Seahawks' defense held the Colts to just 215 total net yards, the second-lowest total for any Seattle opponent in the 2025 season. Through 14 games, Seattle has held 11 opponents under the 300-yard mark, a testament to Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme.

Third Down Efficiency

A glaring statistic from the box score was the third-down conversion rate. While the Colts were relatively efficient at 38%, the Seahawks struggled significantly, converting only 15% of their third-down opportunities (2-of-13). Typically, such a low conversion rate would result in a blowout loss. However, Seattle compensated with raw yardage and field position, gaining 314 total yards compared to Indianapolis’ 215.

Air Yards and Explosive Plays

Sam Darnold, starting for Seattle, finished with 271 passing yards. Although he failed to record a touchdown, he was much more aggressive than Rivers, posting an aDOT of 7.6 yards. The Seahawks generated 7 explosive pass plays (15+ yards), totaling 160 yards on those plays alone. In contrast, the Colts managed only two explosive pass plays for 33 yards. This ability to move the ball into field goal range quickly was the difference-maker.

The Neutralization of Jonathan Taylor

The Indianapolis Colts rely heavily on the ground game, led by Jonathan Taylor. Entering this game, Taylor was the NFL’s leading rusher, but the Seattle front seven proved to be an impenetrable wall.

  • Jonathan Taylor Stats: 25 carries, 87 yards, 0 TDs.
  • Average per Carry: 3.5 yards (Down from his season average of 5.5).
  • The Streak: This game marked the 23rd consecutive contest in which the Seattle defense did not allow a 100-yard rusher.

By keeping Taylor under the 100-yard threshold, Seattle forced an aging Philip Rivers to win the game with his arm—a gamble that ultimately paid off for the Seahawks. The defensive line, led by Ernest Jones IV (10 tackles) and rookie safety Nick Emmanwori, consistently filled gaps, holding Taylor to a long run of only 11 yards.

Individual Standouts in the Receiving Corps

Despite the lack of touchdowns, several receivers posted impressive numbers that moved the chains and set up Jason Myers' scoring opportunities.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Record-Breaking Season

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his meteoric rise, recording 7 catches for 113 yards. This was his ninth 100-yard game of the season, a league-leading figure. More impressively, it was his 12th game with over 90 receiving yards this year, moving him past Justin Jefferson for the most such games by a player aged 23 or younger in a single season. His ability to find soft spots in the Colts' zone coverage was the primary engine of the Seattle offense.

Rashid Shaheed’s Immediate Impact

Since joining the Seahawks in a mid-season trade, Rashid Shaheed has become a vital deep threat and clutch performer. Against the Colts, he caught 5 passes for 74 yards. His most critical contributions came on the final drive, where he secured two receptions to move the Seahawks into field goal range for Myers' game-winner.

All-Time Head-to-Head Record: Colts vs. Seahawks

The rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and the Seattle Seahawks is characterized by its infrequency. Because they reside in different conferences (AFC South and NFC West), they typically only meet once every four years, unless the rotating 17th game schedule dictates otherwise.

Category Statistic
Total Meetings 14
Series Record Tied 7–7
Playoff Meetings 0
Longest Winning Streak Seahawks (3 Games, 2021–Present)
Average Points Scored Seahawks 24.1, Colts 22.8

Historically, the home team has dominated this series, winning approximately 67% of the matchups. The Seahawks' victory in 2025 continued this trend, as Lumen Field (formerly CenturyLink Field) remains one of the most difficult environments for visiting teams.

Notable Historical Matchups

  • October 1, 2017: The Seahawks routed the Colts 46–18 in a second-half surge. Russell Wilson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, while the Seattle defense scored twice on a fumble return and an interception return.
  • September 12, 2021: The Seahawks defeated the Colts 28–16 in Indianapolis. This game was notable for Tyler Lockett’s two-touchdown performance and a dominant showing by the Seattle pass rush.

Advanced Metrics: EPA and Success Rates

To truly understand the 18–16 scoreline, we must look at Expected Points Added (EPA).

  • Seahawks Passing EPA: +0.05 (52nd percentile)
  • Colts Passing EPA: -0.30 (11th percentile)
  • Seahawks Rushing EPA: -0.26 (21st percentile)
  • Colts Rushing EPA: -0.14 (45th percentile)

The negative rushing EPA for both teams indicates how stout the defensive fronts were. The Colts were technically more "efficient" on a per-carry basis in terms of EPA, but the Seahawks' passing game was far superior in generating positive value. Seattle’s success was driven by 271 passing yards from Sam Darnold, who finished with a passer rating of 84.4, significantly higher than Rivers' 73.1.

The Seahawks also dominated the "Air Yards" battle. Seattle recorded 147 air yards compared to a meager 25 for Indianapolis. This means the Colts were almost entirely dependent on Yards After Catch (YAC), which accounted for 79% of Rivers' total passing yardage. Seattle’s defense, led by Coby Bryant and Nick Emmanwori, tackled exceptionally well, limiting that YAC and forcing the Colts into those high-pressure third-down situations.

Conclusion

The 2025 meeting between the Colts and Seahawks was a masterclass in situational football. While the box score showed zero touchdowns for the winning team, the underlying statistics reveal a game won through field position, defensive discipline, and the reliable leg of Jason Myers. For the Colts, the game was a missed opportunity to leverage a veteran presence in Philip Rivers, as they were unable to overcome the absence of explosive plays. For the Seahawks, the win reinforced their identity as a team with an elite defense and a passing attack capable of moving the ball between the 20s, even when the red zone proves difficult to crack.

Summary of Key Stats

  • Final Score: Seattle 18, Indianapolis 16.
  • Touchdowns: Seattle 0, Indianapolis 1.
  • Turnovers: Seattle 0, Indianapolis 1 (Game-ending INT).
  • Individual Record: Jason Myers, 6 FGs (Seahawks Record).
  • Defensive Landmark: 23 straight games without a 100-yard rusher for Seattle.

FAQ

How many times have the Colts and Seahawks played each other?

As of the end of the 2025 regular season, the Indianapolis Colts and Seattle Seahawks have met 14 times. The series is currently tied at 7–7.

What is the longest winning streak in the Colts vs. Seahawks series?

The Seattle Seahawks currently hold the longest winning streak in the series, having won the last three meetings (2021, and the most recent 2025 matchups).

Has there ever been a playoff game between the Colts and Seahawks?

No. Because they are in different conferences (AFC and NFC), they can only meet in the postseason if both teams reach the Super Bowl. To date, this has not occurred.

Who is the all-time leading rusher in this series?

While records vary by era, Jonathan Taylor has been the most prominent recent rusher. However, Seattle’s defense has famously held him under 100 yards in their most recent encounters.

Why did Philip Rivers play in the 2025 game?

Philip Rivers was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an emergency quarterback following a season-ending injury to starter Daniel Jones. Rivers had been retired for nearly five years prior to this appearance.

What is the significance of the 18–16 score?

This score is significant because the winning team (Seattle) scored no touchdowns. It was only the fourth time in the history of the Seahawks franchise that they won a game without finding the end zone.