The Seahawks arrive in Week 3 looking every bit like a team that expects to keep the good times rolling. They are 2-0, haven’t lost since mid-November, and their 12-game winning streak stretches from last season’s playoff run into the first two weeks of 2026.
Washington, meanwhile, is still searching for its first win and will turn to Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels out because of an elbow injury. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
ET on FOX.
That matchup points toward a game shaped by Seattle’s passing attack. Washington’s defense has shown it can make life difficult on the ground, but it hasn’t shown enough to suggest it can consistently slow the Seahawks’ top weapons for four quarters. That puts the spotlight squarely on Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has been operating like a receiver in complete control of the moment.
Smith-Njigba was electric in the 31-7 win at Arizona, piling up nine catches, 155 yards and three touchdowns. Through two games, he’s sitting on 17 receptions, 277 yards and four scores.
Washington’s secondary doesn’t have the personnel to erase him, and this feels like another one of those games where the production just keeps coming. A second straight 100-yard outing and two more touchdowns are very much in play.
Tristan Cockcroft wrote in ESPN, “This was vintage JSN, and we should see something similar in a great Week 3 matchup against the Washington Commanders.”
Seattle’s quarterback situation may be a little less certain, but the expectation is the same: push the ball through the air and let the defense dictate the terms. Drew Lock completed 19 of 26 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns last Sunday, and through two weeks he’s at 72.9 percent completions with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
If Sam Darnold is cleared after Wednesday’s planned return to practice, the formula still doesn’t change much. Washington should force Seattle to throw, and that opens the door for another big day.
Mike Macdonald was clearly pleased with what he saw from Lock after the Cardinals game. “Really proud of Drew, really happy for him,” the coach said.
“We’re on the record in how we feel about him, so he just backed that up today.” Those comments appeared in ESPN’s recap.
Seattle doesn’t need Lock to reinvent anything. It just needs him to keep taking what Washington gives him.
There is still room for the run game to matter, even with the passing volume likely to stay high. Rookie running back Jadarian Price left the Cardinals game with a shoulder issue that Macdonald later described as “nothing serious.” Emanuel Wilson finished with 92 yards on 21 carries, and that gives Seattle enough to stay balanced if needed.
On the other side, Washington’s offense should find itself playing from behind, but that doesn’t mean the run game disappears. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the kind of back who can still matter even when the script is working against him.
Dan Quinn has made it clear what he likes about him, especially once he gets to the second and third level. “I love the twitch that you see with Bill,” Quinn said.
“When we can get him onto the second and third level, that presents a real problem from a tackling standpoint.” The comments were carried by Heavy.
With more touches and a zone scheme that fits his cutback style, Croskey-Merritt can still get to 80 yards and a touchdown.
Washington’s passing game should lean on Stefon Diggs as its most dependable option. Terry McLaurin will get his chances, but Diggs has been the steadier target through two games and gives Mariota cleaner windows.
A line in the neighborhood of 70-plus yards and a score makes sense here. Rookie Antonio Williams is also in line for more work, and he said Thursday, “It’s a big difference from college to the NFL,” before adding, “So I think once you know a playbook, know where to be, what to do, and read coverages and get on the same page with your quarterback, building that confidence just makes you play faster.”
That quote ran in The Athletic.
Seattle’s defense has allowed just 17 points across two games, and that kind of efficiency gives the Seahawks a clear edge. Washington’s best chance is to stay patient with short throws and keep the run game moving, but Seattle’s pass rush and coverage look capable of taking control anyway. If Lock or Darnold avoids mistakes, a 24-13 Seahawks win feels like the cleanest read.
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Seahawks Get An Early Injury Warning On Key Offensive Pieces
The Seahawks got an early look at the health of a few important names this week, and the injury report already carries some weight for a team trying to settle in on offense. Zach Charbonnet will not practice, while Nick Emmanwori was a full participant and Sam Darnold was limited, giving Seattle a mixed update on pieces that matter as the game plan starts to take shape.
Seattle was not alone in dealing with absences, either, as Washingtons report also featured multiple non-participants and limited players, leaving the Commanders with some key starters in doubt for the upcoming matchup. For the Seahawks, the bigger concern is less about the names already on the report and more about how much more the list might grow before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Julian Love Is Forcing A Bigger Seahawks Question Than Fans Expected
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Loves start has now pushed the conversation beyond simple appreciation and into roster-building territory. If he keeps making impact plays while steering the defense on the field, Seattle may not have much choice but to think about a contract extension sooner rather than later, which is the kind of decision that can tell you plenty about how a team views its future. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Fans Already Have One Worry About Rashid Shaheed
Rashid Shaheeds start in Seattle has been quiet enough that its already stirring concern among Seahawks fans, especially for a player brought back on a three-year contract with expectations beyond just being another piece in the rotation. Through the first two games, he has managed only four receptions on nine targets for 39 yards, and the early returns have done little to ease questions about whether he can be counted on as a true No. 2 option.
The worry is not only about the passing game, either. Shaheed has had some issues on special teams too, including a fumble that was recovered by a teammate, which only adds to the sense that his role has not yet settled in cleanly. With Seattle already dealing with offensive strain because of quarterback injuries, backup Drew Lock has at least given the team something workable under center, but Shaheed still has to show he can make a more consistent impact. [Read more 🡒]