When the Seattle Seahawks face off against the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, the contest will feature two teams heading in opposite directions. The Seahawks, picked by many to finish last in the NFC West, are on the rise, locked in a battle for the division crown and a strong contender for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the Commanders are struggling through a nightmare season of injuries and inconsistency. After an unlikely trip to the NFC championship game last year, GM Adam Peters abandoned his methodical approach to rebuilding and went all in for 2025. At 3-5, Washington’s season is now teetering.
Sensational QB Jayden Daniels has missed three games this season. Two of his top three wide receivers have been out for a large part of the year. Starting running back Austin Ekeler was injured early. And it has been even worse on defense, where three of the Commanders' top defensive ends are out.
But Washington does have one strength on defense, and it happens to line up right across from the Seahawks' biggest hole on offense. Therefore, Seattle’s success this week may hinge directly upon how well [right guard Anthony Bradford](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-perfect-anthony-bradford-upgrade-nfl-trade-deadline) stands up to Washington defensive tackle Daron Payne.
Maligned Seattle Seahawks guard could be crucial this week
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In a season in which Washington has lost virtually all of its defensive ends, its All-Pro linebackers have seriously underperformed, and its young secondary has failed to meet expectations, the Commanders’ one strength has been in the middle of the line.
Peters signed two mammoth defensive tackles in free agency, and both Javon Kinlaw and Eddie Goldman have helped stuff the middle of the line. But no one has been better than Payne. After playing alongside – and a bit in the shadow of – his old Alabama teammate Jonathan Allen for seven seasons, Payne has stepped into a leadership role this year with Allen now in Minnesota.
He has thrived, especially as a pass rusher. He only has one sack, but Payne constantly collapses the pocket, forcing opposing QBs into the arms of defensive ends and blitzing linebackers. He has already batted down five pass attempts, surpassing his former career high for an entire season.
Payne will not always be matched up in a one-on-one battle with Bradford. Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt, Jr., in a desperate effort to generate more pass pressure, has been experimenting of late, especially after top-end Dorance Armstrong was lost a few weeks ago.
Payne will slide outside on occasion, and speed rushers like Jacob Martin or Frankie Luvu may slip inside. And old friend Bobby Wagner remains a threat as a blitzer in the middle of the line.
But Payne will typically be in the defense’s left B gap, which puts him across from Bradford.
This won’t be the first time they have squared off. Two years ago, Bradford and [fellow guard Damien Lewis](https://12thmanrising.com/former-seattle-seahawks-draft-pick-finally-broke-out-no-one-saw-coming) acquitted themselves very well against Payne and Allen in Seattle’s 29-26 victory over the Commanders. Seattle ran for 120 yards in that game and protected Geno Smith, allowing just one sack in 48 dropbacks.
And I am not too worried about Bradford going up against Payne on running plays. But Washington can be hard to run against, and Seattle, though they like to remain balanced, will throw the ball. And that’s when Daron Payne could do some serious damage.
He has great quickness for a big man and is very powerful. Bradford continues to struggle against pass rushers. He is simply driven back into the pocket far too often. That is what Daron Payne and his teammates will try to do every time Sam Darnold drops back to pass.
Seattle travels east to take on a desperate team. Washington's defense has surrendered an average of 33 points in its last three games. They figure to be motivated – perhaps no one more than their leader, Daron Payne. Anthony Bradford needs to be up to the challenge.