Seahawks Soar Past Commanders 38-14 Behind Darnold's Four Touchdowns

The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) made their way to Washington, aiming to extend their winning streak against a struggling Commanders team (3-5) that was in dire need of a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive. What ensued was an extraordinary display of skill from quarterback Sam Darnold and the Seattle offense, thoroughly overwhelming the Commanders in a decisive 38-14 triumph.

First Quarter: Seattle Strikes First

The game commenced with both teams cautiously testing each other's strengths. Washington's Jayden Daniels demonstrated his dual-threat capability early on, scrambling effectively for first downs and connecting with veteran tight end Zach Ertz multiple times for crucial completions. Nevertheless, the Commanders' momentum faltered, forcing them to punt the ball.

Seattle retaliated immediately with their well-rounded offensive strategy. Running back Kenneth Walker III bulldozed through Washington's defensive line, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to shine in his breakout season with several receptions. The drive culminated when Sam Darnold hooked up with receiver Tory Horton for a 4-yard touchdown pass, concluding a meticulous 90-yard progression. The Seahawks established a 7-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter: The Floodgates Open

The second quarter became dominated by Seattle's explosive offense. Following Washington's advancement into Seattle territory, Daniels made a detrimental error, throwing an interception that was snatched by a Seahawks defender at their own 40-yard line.

Seattle wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity. Darnold connected with Smith-Njigba for several completions before finding Horton once again, this time for a stunning 25-yard touchdown pass, bringing the score to 14-0. However, the Seahawks were not finished yet.

A fumble by Washington on the subsequent kickoff allowed Seattle to regain possession at the Commanders' 26-yard line. On the very next play, Darnold delivered a perfect 26-yard touchdown pass to rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo, expanding the lead to 21-0.

Washington finally managed to respond when Daniels executed a 1-yard rushing touchdown, but Seattle immediately countered with an electrifying 60-yard touchdown strike to receiver White. The Seahawks held a commanding 28-7 lead at halftime, with Darnold already having thrown four touchdown passes.

Second Half: Seahawks Control the Game

The third quarter witnessed Seattle maintain its commanding presence. Following another turnover committed by Washington, the Seahawks methodically advanced down the field. Running back AJ Barner scored on a direct snap from the 1-yard line, further stretching the lead to 35-7.

Washington displayed some resilience in the fourth quarter, as backup running back Rodriguez delivered a 4-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to 35-14. Nevertheless, Seattle added a field goal to solidify their victory at 38-14.

Stars of the Game

Sam Darnold was nothing short of spectacular, successfully completing 21 of 24 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns, along with a single interception. His performance clearly illustrated why Seattle's offense has flourished under coordinator Klint Kubiak's system.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued his impressive campaign with 8 receptions for 129 yards, affirming his status as Darnold's preferred target. The emerging receiver has effectively filled the gap left by departed stars, establishing himself as a dependable offensive weapon.

For Washington, Daniels completed 16 of 22 passes for 153 yards and contributed 51 rushing yards with one touchdown. However, the four sacks and one interception underscored the challenges he has faced during his sophomore season.

Looking Ahead

This victory elevates Seattle to a 6-2 record, extending their winning streak to three games and firmly establishing them as a genuine playoff contender in the competitive NFC. Their balanced offensive approach and improving defensive performance under head coach Mike McDonald continue to surpass expectations.

Conversely, Washington now finds itself at 3-6, facing a daunting four-game losing streak that jeopardizes their playoff ambitions. The Commanders urgently need to find solutions to salvage their season and assist Daniels in regaining the magic he displayed during his rookie year.

Both teams will aim to build upon this game as they prepare for their upcoming opponents, promising an exciting continuation of the NFL season.