The Seattle Seahawks cruised to a 38-14 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football, with quarterback Sam Darnold delivering a near-perfect performance by throwing four touchdown passes in the first half to build an insurmountable lead.
The game began with the Seahawks establishing control early, marching 90 yards on their opening drive for a touchdown. Sam Darnold connected with rookie receiver Tory Horton for a four-yard score, setting the tone for a dominant offensive display. Seattle’s offense was efficient, converting all five third-down attempts in the first half and averaging over 12 yards per play. The Commanders, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm, hampered by penalties and a lack of execution.
Darnold’s brilliance was on full display as he completed his first 16 passes for 282 yards and four touchdowns before halftime. He tied a franchise record with 17 consecutive completions at one point, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and decision-making. Key plays included a 25-yard touchdown to Horton, a 26-yard strike to tight end Elijah Arroyo, and a 60-yard bomb to Cody White that broke the game open. By the end of the half, the Seahawks led 31-7, with Darnold posting a perfect 158.3 passer rating.
Washington’s woes were compounded by self-inflicted errors, including a fumble on a kickoff return that led to an immediate Seahawks touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, returning from a hamstring injury, was under constant pressure and threw an interception in the first half. The Commanders’ defense, which has regressed this season, allowed big plays and failed to contain Seattle’s explosive receivers, particularly Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who added 129 receiving yards.
The situation worsened for the Commanders in the fourth quarter when Daniels suffered a gruesome left arm injury after being tackled awkwardly near the goal line. He was diagnosed with a dislocated elbow and left the game, raising concerns about his availability for the rest of the season. Backup Marcus Mariota entered and led a late touchdown drive, but it was too little, too late in a game that was out of reach.
This victory improves the Seahawks to 6-2, solidifying their position as a contender in the NFC. Under first-year coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle has excelled on the road, winning 11 straight away games. In contrast, the Commanders fell to 3-6, matching their loss total from all of last season when they reached the NFC Championship Game. Injuries to key players like Terry McLaurin have hampered Washington’s ability to replicate last year’s success.
Looking ahead, the Seahawks will host the Arizona Cardinals next week, aiming to build on their momentum in a competitive NFC West division. The Commanders, now facing an uphill battle to make the playoffs, must navigate Daniels’ injury and address defensive inconsistencies to salvage their season.