The Washington Commanders head into their Week 3 home opener with plenty of concern hanging over them, but not everything about Sunday looks bleak. Seattle comes to Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EDT, and while the Commanders are still chasing their first win and dealing with the loss of Jayden Daniels, there are still a few things working in their favor.
Marcus Mariota’s showing against Dallas offered the clearest sign that Washington can still function on offense. After Daniels exited, Mariota stepped in and went 11 of 16 for 111 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t look rattled, and the Commanders’ offense still managed 154 yards with him at the controls while averaging nearly five yards per play, according to the team.
That matters because Washington does not need Mariota to imitate Daniels. It just needs him to keep the engine running, feed the playmakers, and avoid putting the defense in bad spots.
One of those playmakers, Stefon Diggs, already looks comfortable with him. Diggs caught a 20-yard touchdown from Mariota against Dallas and now has three touchdown receptions through two games.
He also got multiple practice reps with Mariota while learning the offense.
Seattle, meanwhile, brings its own uncertainty at quarterback. Sam Darnold left the Seahawks’ Week 1 game with a glute injury and sat out Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. He was back at practice Wednesday in a limited capacity, and head coach Mike Macdonald said the team would increase Darnold’s workload before making a call on his availability.
If Darnold cannot play, Drew Lock would start again, and he has already shown he can handle the job.
That opens the door for Washington’s defense to have a much cleaner path to impact the game. The Commanders have already had a rough start on that side of the ball, giving up 21 points to the Eagles in Week 1 and then 37 to the Cowboys. Dak Prescott threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns last week, exposing real problems in the secondary.
Still, this matchup gives Washington a chance to make life difficult for whoever is under center for Seattle. The front can set the tone, and if the Commanders can create pressure without living in blitzes, they can force rushed throws and give themselves a shot at a takeaway.
That leads to the biggest thing Washington has been missing so far: a turnover. Through two games, the Commanders have not forced one. Odafe Oweh said Wednesday the defense believes that will change if it keeps attacking the football.
“It’s going to get loose soon,” Oweh said. “It’s bound to stop.”
Washington can’t just talk a turnover into existence, but it can make the game uncomfortable enough to create one. If the defense can tackle well, pressure the quarterback, and keep Seattle from ripping off explosive plays, the chances should come.
And with Washington’s offense unlikely to overwhelm anyone without Daniels, a short field could matter a lot. One takeaway at midfield could turn into three points or seven, and that kind of swing would take real pressure off Mariota.
In Other News...
Commanders Suddenly Have A Terry McLaurin Problem They Cant Ignore
Terry McLaurins opening to the 2026 season has been quieter than anyone in Washington expected, with the veteran wideout managing only four catches for 64 yards through two games. The early numbers are jarring, especially for a receiver who has long been one of the Commanders most dependable weapons, but McLaurin has brushed off the slow start and said he trusts his process.
The concern for Washington is that the quarterback situation only makes the margin for error smaller. Jayden Daniels is dealing with a dislocated left elbow, and while McLaurin has experience working with backup Marcus Mariota, the Commanders still need their top target to find a rhythm quickly if the passing game is going to hold together through a shaky stretch. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels Just Put Washington In A Tough Spot
Jayden Daniels left elbow injury has already changed the Commanders early-season plans, and not in a small way. After dislocating it in Week 2, the rookie quarterback will miss Week 3 and likely Week 4, leaving Washington to move forward with Marcus Mariota expected to start while the team tries to dig out of an 0-2 start.
What makes this situation harder is Daniels decision to avoid surgery and try the nonsurgical route in hopes of getting back this season. It is a choice that has prompted criticism from multiple NFL executives, who worry about the risks to his long-term health and financial future, and it leaves Washington hoping the short-term gamble does not become something more complicated as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Already Face A Secondary Decision Fans Will Be Watching
Early in the season, the Commanders are already weighing how much patience to show in the secondary and how quickly to adjust if the early issues continue. Defensive coordinator Daronte Jones said the staff has to sort through the reasons behind mistakes before making any personnel moves, whether the problem is communication, execution or something else entirely. That approach has left Washington working through different cornerback options and coverage looks as it tries to find the right mix on the back end.
One name to watch is Isaac Yiadom, the recent addition who could be active for the upcoming game against the Seahawks. His status adds another layer to a decision the Commanders seem willing to keep evaluating rather than rush, especially with the secondary still in a stage of experimentation. For a defense trying to settle in, the next few days may say as much about trust and roles as they do about the matchup itself. [Read more 🡒]