The Washington Commanders needed a bounce-back win at the halfway point of the NFL season.
Instead, they lost big during Week 9 — twice.
In the midst of being routed at home, 38-14, Washington’s second-year star quarterback, Jayden Daniels, was injured after falling awkwardly midway through the fourth quarter while the game was no longer in doubt. His left, non-throwing arm, was immobilized and he walked off under his own power and received X-rays.
Washington fell to 3-6 — more losses than it suffered all of last season. Daniels had missed last week with a hamstring injury, and two previous games this season because of a knee strain. The Commanders were trailing by 31 points at the time of his injury.
For the Commanders, the loss highlighted their struggles to produce an encore for last season’s NFC championship-game appearance. For the Seahawks, it made the case as to why they, perhaps, could be on the path to a conference title-game appearance this season.
Since the start of last season, no NFL team has been harder to beat when on the road than Seattle. After dismantling Washington on “Sunday Night Football,” the Seahawks improved that road record to 11-1, including 11 straight road wins, during a rout that appeared at times almost breathtakingly effortless.
Seattle scored on all five of its first-half drives. It gained 190 more yards than Washington in the first half alone, and averaged nine more yards per play. And while improving to 6-2, it looked like one of the best teams in the NFC, in a season where no team has asserted itself in either conference as one to fear.
Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold completed 17 consecutive passes at one point to tie Warren Moon for the franchise record, and did not throw a single incompletion during a statistically perfect first half in which he threw for four touchdowns. He finished with 330 passing yards, those four touchdowns, with an interception.
Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba caught 129 of those yards for Seattle, to add to the NFL-high 819 receiving yards that he entered Week 9 with.
Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft who went to become last season's offensive rookie of the year, was sacked four times while throwing for 153 yards and rushing for 51 more, with a touchdown on the ground. Playing while recovering from a hamstring injury, Daniels was not as explosive as possible, and was caught while attempting to reach the end zone in the fourth quarter before he fell awkwardly on his arm.
Final: Seahawks 38, Commanders 14
Seattle scored just seven points after halftime but it was more than enough to blow out Washington, which may have lost more than a game during Week 9, after star quarterback Jayden Daniels was hurt.
Seattle's Sam Darnold finished with four touchdown passes and an interception to go with 330 yards. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the NFL's leading receiver, added 129 yards on eight catches.
Daniels finished with 153 yards passing and 51 more on the ground.
Why was Jayden Daniels still in the game?
Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels is down and hurt after being awkwardly tackled in the fourth quarter near the goal line, his team trailing 38-7. Why was Daniels in the game, at all, in his first game back from injury, at a point when the game was out of Washington's control? Coach Dan Quinn will be asked that postgame.
Washington scores touchdown behind backup QB Marcus Mariota
With Daniels out of the game, Marcus Mariota replaced Daniels and the Commanders quickly scored with 7:14 to play in the fourth quarter. The touchdown trimmed Washington's deficit to 38-14, but it will be too little, too late.
Daniels undergoing X-rays on arm
After walking into the Washington locker room with help from medical personnel, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels underwent X-rays on his injured left arm, according to the "Sunday Night Football" broadcast.
Seattle goes three and out
Eight yards and a few clouds of dust for the Seahawks on their most recent drive, as they try to kill clock here in the fourth quarter. Seattle punted, and that may do it for the offensive starters tonight.
Third quarter ends: Seahawks 38, Commanders 7
Washington's third drive of the second half ends like its previous two — without points. After drives that lasted five and seven plays, Washington goes three-and-out to meekly end the third quarter.
Washington has gained 56 yards from scrimmage this half.
Another Seahawks touchdown
For the first time in the second half, the Seahawks find their way to the endzone.
Seattle drove 60 yards in nine plays, capped by an AJ Barner one-yard touchdown run via tush push.
It’s 38-7 Seahawks.
Washington punts
The Commanders punt for the third time tonight midway through the third quarter, and still trail, 31-7. Jayden Daniels remains Washington's leading passer and rusher, unable to get much help.
Sam Darnold is intercepted
Washington picks off Sam Darnold, whose perfect first half has slowly eroded to start the second.
Washington punts to open third quarter
After Seattle (gasp!) punted to open the second half, Washington had a window to cut into its 31-7 deficit. Instead, after five plays the Commanders punt it away. Jayden Daniels threw Washington's longest play of the night, a 25-yard completion to tight end Zach Ertz early in the drive but it was followed by a four-yard run, a sack, and an incompletion.
