The Seattle Seahawks forked over $100.5 million this offseason to land Sam Darnold on a three-year deal. The upside was clear, as he was coming off a career year with the Vikings. But already, Darnold has been making his contract look like a potential steal.
The young journeyman-turned-star has emerged as an MVP candidate on a contending Seahawks squad this season, as Darnold's anticipation and precision have fit seamlessly in offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's schemes.
In Week 9, Darnold hit a new peak for the 2025 season, competing a prime time "Sunday Night Football" slot. Facing the Washington Commanders, he and his top receiver, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, diced up the opposing secondary from start to finish — Darnold put forth one of the best performances of his career in a 38-14 Seahawks win.
Here's a look at Darnold's efficient performance against the Commanders, plus Smith-Njigba's continued dominance in the 2025 season.
MORE:The latest on Commanders QB Jayden Daniels after 'SNF' injury exit
Sam Darnold stats today
Completions/Attempts: 21/24
Completion Percentage: 87.5%
Passing Yards: 330
AVG: 13.8
TD Passes: 4
INTs: 1
Rating: 141.0
Darnold did not waste time in building the Seahawks' advantage on Sunday night. Facing a struggling Commanders squad, Darnold threw four first-half touchdown passes and completed each of his first 17 passes — he tied Warren Moon for the most consecutive completions to begin a game.
With 17 straight completions to start the game, Sam Darnold ties Warren Moon for the Seahawks franchise record 👏 pic.twitter.com/0bDc6av9xl
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 3, 2025
At the end of the night, there were very few blemishes on Darnold's stat sheet, with one third-quarter interception and just three incompletions. He wasn't needed to do much in the second half, having already built a multi-score lead as Seattle's defense handled Jayden Daniels.
According to ESPN, Darnold became the first quarterback to throw a touchdown on their first four drives, with a perfect completion percentage, since Tom Brady in 2007. Additionally, Darnold joined Michael Vick in Week 10 of the 2010 season as the only quarterbacks in the last 20 seasons to have four total touchdowns with a perfect passer rating in the first half of a primetime game, per Jack Andrade.
SAM DARNOLD AT HALFTIME
16/16
282 YARDS
4 TDs
158.3 PASSER RATING pic.twitter.com/nFOwNrfHk6
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
Working his way into mid-season MVP conversations, Darnold's four touchdown passes brought his season total to 16. His first touchdown pass went to Tory Horton on the Seahawks' opening drive:
Sam Darnold finds Tory Horton to start the scoring on SNF!
SEAvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/rGQXrKXxzm
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
On Drive No. 2, it was Horton once again hauling in a touchdown pass from Darnold, stepping up in the absence of Cooper Kupp.
TORY HORTON AGAIN.
SEAvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/5hHRO65o7N
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
Seattle's defense forced a quick turnover on the following kickoff, which set up yet another Darnold touchdown in the second quarter. Tight end Elijah Arroyo caught the ball in-stride for touchdown No. 3 for Darnold.
That was fast. Darnold throws his third TD of the half!
SEAvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/kNF85vIVKC
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
Darnold's last touchdown pass came before the first half even ended, and that was plenty for the Seahawks. Cody White dashed down the right sideline for another score:
SAM DARNOLD FOUR TD PASSES IN THE FIRST HALF.
SEAvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/fax1SUUUBo
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2025
MORE:Everything to know about emerging Seahawks rookie WR Tory Horton
Jaxson-Smith Njigba stats today
Receptions: 8
Yards: 129
AVG: 16.1
TDs: 0
Smith-Njigba continued building his case as the NFL's best wide receiver right now on Sunday night. He made it look routine with just eight catches, but the former Ohio State star still posted 129 receiving yards — his fourth consecutive game with at least 100 yards and sixth overall this season.
He had Commanders defensive backs lost all night.
This release by JSN is filthy pic.twitter.com/nMFMcmtTWE
— Woody (@woodyVSworld) November 3, 2025
According to NFL+, Smith-Njigba joined Isaac Bruce in 1995 as the only players under the age of 25 with 900-plus receiving yards in their first eight games of a season. The Seahawks star is building an early Offensive Player of the Year case, likely in a battle with the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor entering Week 10.
Smith-Njigba now ranks second in the NFL with his 819 receiving yards, trailing only Ja'Marr Chase's 831 after Week 9.