The Seattle Seahawks entered the game riding a franchise-best 12-game winning streak. The Washington Commanders, meanwhile, had lost 12 of their last 14 games and were without eight starters — including franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels. So naturally, despite being a touchdown underdog at home, the Commanders shocked the reigning Super Bowl champions, 33-31.
To say this was the biggest upset of the young season would be an understatement. The Commanders defeated the Seahawks despite losing the first down battle 28-17 while being outgained 437-to-258 in total yards. Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold, who entered the game with a 28-6 record since the start of the 2024 season, threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns earning a 105.7 quarterback rating for the day. Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who currently ranks as the best receiver in football, finished the day with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns, making him just the second wideout in NFL history to start a season with three consecutive games with at least 120 yards and one touchdown. (Jerry Rice in 1989 is the other.)
So how the hell did the Commanders actually win this game? By winning the turnover battle, three to none. A defense that created just 10 turnovers all last season, managed to intercept Darnold twice and forced one fumble allowing Washington’s patchwork offense to take advantage. Backup Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes for the first time since 2022 while completing 19 passes to nine different receivers, with touchdowns to running back Rachaad White, receiver Treylon Burks and wideout Terry McLaurin. Fan favorite McLaurin had an impactful afternoon, hauling in six catches for 77 yards — including a 30-yard touchdown grab in the second half that felt like a massive momentum shift in the moment.
Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt had a 48-yard TD run called back when rookie Antonio Williams (who also dropped a bomb) did not close the formation by stepping up a foot at the line of scrimmage after Bill motioned back into the backfield. On another day, an avoidable penalty like this could have easily been more costly for the Commanders. Fortunately, the defense made enough plays to steal the win.
Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, who Washington selected with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft, had his most impactful day as a pro. Early in the contest, the Ohio State standout forced a Jadarian Price fumble, resulting in the defense’s first takeaway of the season. Styles then intercepted a tipped Darnold pass for the unit’s second turnover of the day. Amazingly, neither of those turnovers can be considered Styles’ biggest play of the day. With less than four minutes left in the game, Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano intercepted Darnold for a 50-yard pick six that effectively sealed the game for the burgundy and gold. After the game, Medrano shared that he was in position to make the play thanks to pre-snap adjustments made by Styles.
