Seahawks vs. Commanders: A Clash of Strengths and Weaknesses
The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) will face off against the Washington Commanders (3-5) this Sunday at 8:20 p.m. EST, with the game set to air on NBC. According to BetMGM NFL Odds, the Seahawks are favored by 3 points. The Seahawks have a strong record against the spread with a 5-2 record, while the Commanders sit at 3-5.
Series History and Recent Matchups
In the series history, the Commanders hold a slight edge with a 13-10 lead. Their last meeting was in Seattle on November 12, 2023, where the Seahawks emerged victorious with a 29-26 win. This upcoming matchup is expected to be closely contested, as eight of the past nine regular-season games between these teams have been decided by a single score.
Recent Performance
Last week, the Seahawks had a bye, while the Commanders fell to the Chiefs with a final score of 28-7 on Monday night. The Seahawks’ offensive performance has been solid, ranking 11th overall, 21st in rushing, 8th in passing, and tied for 5th in scoring. On defense, they rank 10th overall, 1st in rushing, 23rd in passing, and 7th in scoring.
The Commanders' offense is ranked 16th overall, tied for 3rd in rushing, 24th in passing, and 17th in scoring. Their defense ranks 27th overall, 22nd in rushing, 26th in passing, and 22nd in scoring. Both teams have struggled with turnovers, with the Seahawks at minus-4 and the Commanders at minus-5.
Key Players to Watch
For the Seahawks, running back Kenneth Walker III has shown signs of improvement after a slow start. In their recent win over the Texans, he rushed for 66 yards, marking his third time in four weeks with at least 66 yards.
On the Commanders' side, tight end Zach Ertz is a key player to watch. With wide receiver Terry McLaurin sidelined due to a quadriceps injury, Ertz has become a vital target for quarterback Jayden Daniels. Ertz is second on the team with 27 catches and has already recorded four touchdown receptions this season.
Key Matchup
The most critical matchup of the game will be Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold against the Washington secondary. Although Darnold isn't on the same level as quarterbacks like Dak Prescott or Patrick Mahomes, the question remains whether the Commanders can hold up defensively.
Key Injuries
The Seahawks are dealing with several injuries, including defensive end Demarcus Lawrence (quadriceps), linebacker Derick Hall (oblique), and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (knee). Safety Julian Love (hamstring) is ruled out, and wide receiver Cooper Kupp (heel, hamstring) is questionable.
For the Commanders, quarterback Jayden Daniels is set to start, but tackle Laremy Tunsil (hamstring) is questionable.
Series Notes
While the Commanders have a significant lead in the regular season, the Seahawks have won all three playoff meetings by double digits. The rivalry has been competitive, with many games coming down to the wire.
Stats and Highlights
The Seahawks are aiming to win six of their first eight games for the first time since 2020. They went 10-7 last season and haven't had a losing season since 2021 under Pete Carroll. 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, surpassing Ja’Marr Chase by 99 yards despite playing one fewer game. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV had a season-high 11 tackles in the Seahawks’ latest win.
The Seahawks have eight interceptions as a team, tied for fourth in the NFL, and have 23 sacks, tied for fifth in the league. Kicker Jason Myers is 13 of 17 on field goals this season.
On the Commanders' side, linebacker Von Miller needs 2.5 sacks to tie Jared Allen for 12th on the career sack list. Rookie running back Bill Croskey-Merritt has rushed for 402 yards, fourth among NFL rookies. The Commanders also lead the league in kickoff return average at 30.3 yards per attempt.
Deebo Samuel is second in the NFL in yards after the catch since 2021, behind only Cincinnati’s Chase. The Commanders have scored touchdowns on 75% of their red zone trips, second in the league behind Philadelphia.
Bobby Wagner, originally drafted by Seattle, faces the Seahawks for the first time since 2022. He has the most tackles (524) in prime time since entering the league in 2012 and is the only player since 2000 with at least 500 tackles in prime-time games.
Fantasy Tip
Fantasy players should keep an eye on Seattle receivers, especially Jaxon Smith-Njigba, given how Washington's coverage has struggled this season.