Marcus Mariota gave Washington exactly the kind of steadiness it needed, and the Commanders backed it up with a defense-generated touchdown and just enough late-game execution to edge Seattle 33-31 on Sunday in their home opener.
The Seahawks came in riding a 12-game winning streak that stretched through their postseason run to last season’s Super Bowl title, but three turnovers undercut them in a game they kept trying to pull back into reach. Sam Darnold, back after missing Week 1 with a glute injury, threw two interceptions. Seattle also had an early fumble from Jadarian Price that put Washington in business at the Seahawks 21.
Washington made the most of the short field right away. Mariota hit Rachaad White for a 6-yard touchdown to open the scoring, and the Commanders nearly doubled it before Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s long scoring run was wiped out by an illegal formation penalty.
Seattle answered in the second quarter when Darnold found Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a 1-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 7. Smith-Njigba was everywhere for the Seahawks, finishing with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and he even completed a short throw on a trick play in the final quarter.
Washington moved back in front on Mariota’s 11-yard touchdown strike to Treylon Burks, then Jason Myers and Drew Stevens traded 57-yard field goals before halftime. Mariota later connected with Terry McLaurin on a 30-yard touchdown to push the Commanders ahead 24-10.
Seattle kept fighting. Darnold led a 60-yard touchdown drive, and tight end Eric Saubert turned what looked like a loose ball near the goal line into a touchdown after regaining control in the end zone. Then, with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter, Darnold found Smith-Njigba again, this time from 11 yards out, to tie the game at 24.
Washington answered with the play that proved decisive. After taking a 27-24 lead, Kain Medrano jumped Darnold’s pass over the middle and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown, stretching the margin to two scores with 3:57 left. A penalty on the celebration pushed the extra point back 15 yards, and Drew Stevens missed it.
Seattle still had life. Darnold immediately hit Smith-Njigba on three straight completions, then threw a 7-yard touchdown to Cooper Kupp to make it 33-31 with 2:51 remaining.
But Washington closed it out. The Commanders had been just 1 for 11 on third down to that point, yet they converted twice on the final drive to drain the clock. Rachaad White converted a third-and-9 with a 19-yard run around right end, and Mariota finished it off with a 9-yard run on third-and-7.
Mariota threw three touchdown passes in all and did the job in place of the injured Jayden Daniels as Washington improved to 1-2. Seattle fell to 2-1.
Injuries also piled up on both sides. Seattle safety Nick Emmanwori hurt his hamstring in the first half. For Washington, linebacker Leo Chenal was carted off with a neck injury in the second quarter, and guard Lucas Patrick injured an ankle in the first half.
Seattle hosts the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday. Washington travels to Indianapolis on Sunday in London.
In Other News...
Seahawks Backfield Questions Make One Veteran Trade Idea Worth Watching
Seattles backfield remains one of the more interesting spots on the roster as the season moves along, and the conversation around possible upgrades has started to widen beyond internal options. A veteran Tennessee running back is part of that discussion, along with names like Tony Pollard, David Montgomery and Rachaad White, all of whom bring different combinations of production, contract status and fit. For a team trying to sort out its ground game, the appeal is easy to understand, especially with run blocking still a concern and the margin for error shrinking.
The Seahawks are not being linked to a confirmed move, and this is still firmly in the speculative stage, but the idea is worth monitoring because the choices come with real tradeoffs. Some options would add proven production, while others would require a bigger commitment and raise questions about cost, ball security or how quickly they could settle in. For now, it is less about a deal being close than about which kind of back Seattle would actually want if it decides the room needs another jolt. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Quietly Addressed A Fan Frustration That Matters Right Now
After hearing from fans who had a hard time making out questions during press conferences, the Seahawks are making a small but noticeable change to how those sessions sound. New owner Neal Khosla said the team plans to add two additional microphones, a simple fix aimed at improving audio clarity for the people following along at home.
It is the kind of behind-the-scenes adjustment that does not change the standings, but it does speak to a team trying to pay attention to the details around it. The move comes as Seattle works through the aftermath of a close loss to the Washington Commanders and turns its attention to the Los Angeles Chargers, with every bit of communication carrying a little more weight right now. [Read more 🡒]
Seahawks Have A Growing Concern At Right Tackle
The Seahawks have spent real resources trying to build something sturdier up front, and Abraham Lucas has been central to that plan at right tackle. Since arriving as a former third-round pick, he has offered the kind of run-blocking the team wants, but his work in pass protection has been a different story, with pressure issues showing up early and often in the opening games of the season.
Seattles coaching staff knows the problem is there and is already trying to patch it with extra practice work and scheme help. The question now is whether those fixes are enough to steady one of the lines most important spots, or whether right tackle becomes an even bigger concern as the season moves deeper into the schedule. [Read more 🡒]