Seahawks vs. Cowboys score: Seattle starts preseason with sloppy 17-7 loss

The Seattle Seahawks (0-1) got their 2026 preseason off and running at Lumen Field against the Dallas Cowboys (1-0), but unfortunately they couldn’t get off to a winning start. A bright start led by Drew Lock and Montorie Foster steadily fizzled out, as the Cowboys rode two impressive Camden Brown touchdowns into a 17-7 win.

Drew Lock and Jalen Milroe alternated every two possessions and collectively failed to clear 100 yards passing. Milroe’s sacks meant Seattle finished the night with just 49 net passing yards. The run game at least had some bright spots without being explosive, as George Holani and Velus Jones Jr had a few quality carries.

Seattle’s defense did not generate much pass rush, failed to record a sack on either Joe Milton or Sam Howell, and it was a night to forget for Shemar Jean-Charles, who gave up a touchdown and committed a costly pass interference penalty that resulted in a field goal. The positives included Tyrice Knight and Patrick O’Connell at linebacker, Rylie Mills getting a couple of pressures, and Noah Igbinoghene having a good first half in coverage and as a blitzer.

Oh well, at least these games don’t count.

The Seahawks started the game off on offense, with Drew Lock leading Seattle on a 13-play, 80-yard drive. There was some help from Cowboys cornerback Caelen Carson, who committed a drive-extending pass interference on the first third-down of the game, followed by a face mask on what was otherwise a Drew Lock scramble for a first down.

There wasn’t any penalty help needed on this third-down touchdown. Lock found Montorie Foster Jr on a great throw-and-catch in the back of the end zone. Foster saw the ball late but still pulled it in for the first touchdown of the night.

Former Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell got the start for the Cowboys, leading a field goal drive on his second possession. Multiple conversions to Jonathan Mingo (plus a pass interference on Shemar Jean-Charles) helped march Dallas down the field. Noah Igbinoghene’s blitz forced Howell into a poor throw on third down, securing a Seahawks red zone stop after 16 plays. Tyrice Knight, Mike Morris, and Patrick O’Connell all had splash plays on the drive.

Jalen Milroe’s first series of preseason came at about the 11-minute mark of the second quarter. It was an inauspicious start when he had a botched exchange with Olu Oluwatimi but was able to pounce on the fumble. He erased the mistake with a third-down dart to Jake Bobo to move the sticks. Faced with 3rd and 11, Milroe evaded pressure, tip-toed the sideline and got 12 yards for another conversion. On a 4th and 2 in the red zone, Milroe scrambled out of pressure and improvised a pass to Bobo for another first down, but Amari Kight was dinged for holding. Jason Myers hooked the subsequent 45-yard field goal wide right.

In the two-minute drill, Seattle’s pass rush didn’t really affect Howell much, and they paid the price. Camden Brown was on the receiving end of a deep shot from Howell, who exploited Shemar Jean-Charles in coverage for the go-ahead touchdown. 10-7 Cowboys at halftime.

Joe Milton started the second half for the Cowboys and he led a touchdown drive right away. Seattle’s third-team defense was largely out there and didn’t particularly impress. Camden Brown sure as hell impressed, scoring a one-handed touchdown on rookie Michael Dansby to extend Dallas’ lead to 17-7.

After the Seahawks stopped Dallas on the next Cowboys offensive possession, Rashad Rochelle made the most of his opportunity on punt return duties. He ran the ball back 52 yards to set the Seahawks up in great field position.

Drew Lock and company wasted the field position by turning it over on downs on 4th and 4. Logan Brown got whipped and committed a hold, and Lock threw short of the sticks anyway.

Amid a series of penalties on both teams, the Seahawks recorded the first turnover of the game. Cowboys punt returner Traeshon Holden inexplicably decided to return a punt at his own 2-yard line with the whole Seahawks team already in his face. Shockingly, he lost the ball and T.J. Harden recovered.

Seattle did not score points off of this, somehow. Harden had three carries, didn’t score, and Milroe got sacked on fourth and goal. Dallas was able to run the final six minutes and 32 seconds off the clock, which is nice when you realize everyone in attendance could go out for dinner with the sun not yet set.

Full Box Score

Seahawks injury report

It looked like Bobby Hart was grabbing his right hand in the second quarter, otherwise there was nothing easily noticeable regarding injuries.

Next week’s opponent

The Seahawks take on the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 5 pm PT. It will be nationally televised on FOX.