Many fans of the Washington Commanders had been waiting for this game since the 2025 schedule was released. With the franchise honoring an all-time great and the debut of their Super Bowl era throwback uniforms, the excitement was palpable at Northwest Stadium before kickoff.
Hall of Famer Art Monk had his No. 81 jersey number officially retired during a touching halftime ceremony. Unfortunately, everything else that transpired during Washington’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football was a complete and utter disaster.
Seattle, led quarterback Sam Darnold (who threw four first-half touchdown passes), receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (who caught eight passes on nine targets for 129 yards) and an aggressive defense humbled the Commanders in all three phases of the game while cruising to a resounding 38-14 victory.
Darnold didn’t have a single incompletion during the first half, completing all 13 attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns. With the win already secured by halftime, Darnold took it easy on Washington’s pitiful defense in the second half — but still finished the game 21 of 24 for 330 yards, with more touchdown passes (four) than incompletions (three) and a 141.0 rating. Additionally, five Seahawks pass catchers averaged at least 12 yards per reception on a night where Washington’s defense was overmatched from the jump.
The Seahawks defense was equally as impressive, pressuring Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels on 51 percent of his dropbacks (the most of his young career). Seattle harassed the Heisman Trophy winner all game long, collecting 14 hits, four sacks and an interception. Because the Commanders’ offensive weapons are unable to create any separation, defenses continue to stack the box with no fear of getting beat deep by Washington’s receivers. This translated into Daniels scrambling for his life early and often during the blowout. And then, an ugly outing turned into the worst-case scenario for the home team.
Trailing 38-7 with less than eight minutes to play, Daniels dislocated his left elbow when he landed awkwardly after being tackled by Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas. The 2024 Rookie of the Year has already missed three starts this season due to knee and hamstring injuries, and it wouldn’t be shocking if the next time Daniels suits up for Washington is Week 1 of the ’26 season.
The Commanders have been decimated by injuries and inconsistent play this season. In addition to Daniels’ gruesome injury, cornerback Marshon Lattimore (torn ACL) and receiver Luke McCaffrey (broken collarbone) appear to have suffered season-ending injuries against Seattle.
After committing his third hip-drop tackle of the season, linebacker Frankie Luvu has been suspended by the NFL for one game and will sit out the Detroit Lions game as the 3-6 Commanders look to salvage a once-promising campaign.