Landover, Md. — Sam Darnold was nearly flawless, and the Seattle Seahawks played their best half of football this season on Sunday night — overwhelming the Washington Commanders 38–14 in a game overshadowed by another injury to quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Darnold started 17-for-17 and threw four touchdown passes before his first incompletion, shredding Washington’s defense in a near-perfect opening half that put the game out of reach by intermission.
Seattle (6–2) rolled to a 31–7 halftime lead and never looked back, staying tied with the Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC West.
Darnold Dazzles in First-Half Masterclass
Without top receiver Cooper Kupp, the Seahawks leaned on depth and precision — and Darnold delivered. He was 16-for-16 for 282 yards and four touchdowns by halftime, spreading the ball to seven different receivers.
Rookie Tory Horton caught Darnold’s first two touchdown passes, from 4 and 25 yards, and Elijah Arroyo hauled in another just 11 seconds after a Washington fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Practice-squad call-up Cody White then broke free for a 60-yard catch-and-run late in the second quarter to make it 28–0.
By the time Darnold threw his first incompletion early in the third quarter, Seattle already had the game well in hand. He finished 21 of 24 for 330 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception before giving way to the backups in the fourth.
“We wanted to be aggressive early and trust Sam to distribute,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He was in total command — that was as efficient as it gets.”
Commanders’ Misery Deepens
For Washington (3–6), it was another long night. The Commanders lost their fourth straight game and saw their young quarterback go down once again.
Daniels, who had been under pressure throughout, injured his non-throwing arm late in the fourth quarter when it bent awkwardly during a tackle near the Seattle goal line. He immediately exited and did not return.
Before the injury, Daniels managed 153 passing yards, one interception, and 51 yards rushing, but he spent most of the night scrambling to escape constant pressure.
His 1-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the first half gave Washington its lone score before garbage time. Chris Rodriguez Jr. added a short touchdown run in the fourth, moments after Daniels was hurt.
Seattle Stays Balanced and Dominant
Seattle’s offense rolled from the opening drive — a 90-yard march capped by Horton’s 4-yard score that actually covered more than 100 yards thanks to multiple Washington penalties.
The Seahawks outgained the Commanders by nearly 300 yards and scored on six of their first seven possessions. Tight end AJ Barner added a third-quarter “tush push” touchdown to make it 38–7.
Defensively, Seattle held Washington to under 250 total yards and forced two turnovers while rarely allowing Daniels time to set his feet.
Injury Report
Seahawks: CB Josh Jobe (concussion) and LB Ernest Jones IV (knee) exited in the second half.
Commanders: Already missing star WR Terry McLaurin (quadriceps), Washington lost WR Luke McCaffrey (shoulder) on the opening drive. CB Trey Amos (hip), CB Marshon Lattimore (knee), and S Quan Martin (hamstring) were also injured. Daniels’ arm injury appeared to be the most serious.
Up Next:
Seahawks: Host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday; Seattle won the earlier meeting 23–20.
Commanders: Return home to face Detroit in a rematch of last season’s playoff matchup.
