Matchup Preview: Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders
The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) are set to face the Washington Commanders (3-5) in a crucial matchup on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. EST, which will be broadcast on NBC. According to BetMGM NFL Odds, the Seahawks are favored by 3 points. In terms of performance against the spread, the Seahawks have an impressive 5-2 record, while the Commanders sit at 3-5.
Series History
The Commanders hold a slight edge in the series with a 13-10 record. However, the Seahawks have won all three playoff meetings by double digits. Looking back at their most recent encounter, the Seahawks defeated the Commanders 29-26 in Seattle on November 12, 2023.
Recent Performance
Last week, the Seahawks had a bye, while the Commanders suffered a 28-7 loss to the Chiefs on Monday night. This game is expected to be a test for both teams as they look to improve their standings.
Team Rankings
- Seahawks Offense: Ranked 11th overall, 21st in rushing, 8th in passing, and tied for 5th in scoring.
- Seahawks Defense: Ranked 10th overall, 1st in rushing, 23rd in passing, and 7th in scoring.
- Commanders Offense: Ranked 16th overall, tied for 3rd in rushing, 24th in passing, and 17th in scoring.
- Commanders Defense: Ranked 27th overall, 22nd in rushing, 26th in passing, and 22nd in scoring.
The turnover differential also plays a role in this game. The Seahawks have a -4 differential, while the Commanders have a -5.
Key Players to Watch
Seahawks' Running Back, Kenneth Walker III, has been showing signs of improvement after a slow start. He recorded 66 yards in the Seahawks’ win against the Texans on October 20, marking his third time in four weeks rushing for over 60 yards.
On the other side, Commanders' Tight End, Zach Ertz, is a key player to watch. With WR Terry McLaurin sidelined due to a quadriceps injury, Ertz will play a critical role. He is second on the team with 27 catches and has already tallied four touchdown receptions this season.
Key Matchup
The primary focus of the game will be Seattle QB Sam Darnold vs. the Washington secondary. In previous matchups, quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Patrick Mahomes were able to move the ball effectively against the Commanders. While Darnold may not be on that level, the question remains whether the Commanders can hold up defensively.
Key Injuries
Seahawks: - DE Demarcus Lawrence (quadriceps), LB Derick Hall (oblique), and CB Devon Witherspoon (knee) participated in practice, but S Julian Love (hamstring) is ruled out. - WR Cooper Kupp (heel, hamstring) is questionable.
Commanders: - QB Jayden Daniels is set to start, but T Laremy Tunsil (hamstring) is questionable.
Series Notes
Despite the Commanders leading the regular-season series, the Seahawks have won all three playoff meetings by double digits. Additionally, eight of the past nine regular-season matchups have been decided by one score.
Stats and Insights
The Seahawks are aiming to win six of their first eight games for the first time since 2020. Last season, they went 10-7 and haven’t had a losing season since 2021 under Pete Carroll.
Some notable stats include:
- Darnold’s 68.2 completion rate ranks 10th in the league.
- Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL in receiving yards this season with 819 yards, 99 more than Ja’Marr Chase.
- LB Ernest Jones IV had a season-high 11 tackles in the Seahawks’ latest win.
- The Seahawks have eight interceptions, tied for fourth in the NFL.
- They have 23 sacks, tied for fifth in the league.
- Kicker Jason Myers is 13 of 17 on field goals this season.
- Commanders’ Von Miller needs 2.5 sacks to tie Jared Allen for 12th on the career list.
- Rookie Bill Croskey-Merritt has rushed for 402 yards, fourth among NFL rookies.
- The Commanders lead the NFL in kickoff return average at 30.3 yards per attempt.
- Deebo Samuel is second in the NFL in yards after the catch since 2021.
- The Commanders have touchdowns on 75% of their red zone trips, second in the league.
- Former Seahawk Bobby Wagner faces the team for the first time since 2022.
Fantasy Tip
Given Washington's struggles in coverage, expect Seattle receivers — especially Jaxon Smith-Njigba — to be popular choices among fantasy players.