Commanders Hold Off Seahawks, 33-31, as Late Pick-Six Proves Decisive
Washington forced three Seattle turnovers, turned them into 20 points and held on through a frantic fourth quarter to avoid an 0-3 start.
LANDOVER, Md. — Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes, Kain Medrano returned an interception 50 yards for a score and the Washington Commanders held off the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, 33-31, Sunday at Northwest Stadium.
Washington picked up two first downs on its final possession and ran out the clock, ending Seattle’s 12-game winning streak. The win also kept the Commanders from falling to 0-3.
Rain fell throughout the afternoon. The temperature was 63 degrees at kickoff, with winds of about 13 mph. Announced attendance was 64,027.
Jayden Daniels watched from the sideline after dislocating his left elbow during the previous week’s loss at Dallas. Mariota started in his place.
Washington capitalizes early
The Commanders caught an early break when Sonny Styles forced Seattle rookie Jadarian Price to fumble. Tim Settle recovered at the Seahawks’ 21-yard line, and Mariota found Rachaad White for a 6-yard touchdown.
Seattle tied the game in the second quarter on Sam Darnold’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Mariota answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Treylon Burks to put Washington back in front, 14-7.
A frightening scene followed late in the half when Washington linebacker Leo Chenal sustained a neck injury. He was placed on a backboard and taken from the field on a cart. Chenal was transported to a hospital; Coach Dan Quinn said afterward that Chenal had feeling in his extremities.
“We’re definitely thinking of him,” Quinn said. “He’s a great teammate. We love him. Anytime a guy gets banged up like that, you’re just thinking of him and pulling for him as much as you can.”
Jason Myers and Drew Stevens traded 57-yard field goals before halftime, sending Washington into the locker room with a 17-10 lead.
Mariota stretched the advantage to 24-10 in the third quarter with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin.
“That’s what we’re capable of when we play four quarters,” McLaurin said. “We finished the job.”
Pick-six changes the finish
Seattle answered with Darnold’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Eric Saubert, then tied the game at 24 early in the fourth quarter when Darnold connected with Smith-Njigba again. Stevens put Washington back in front with a 36-yard field goal.
Seattle was threatening again when Medrano stepped in front of Darnold’s pass over the middle and raced 50 yards for a touchdown with 3:57 remaining.
“I saw green grass and had to show off my wide receiver skills,” Medrano said.
An unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty during the celebration moved the extra-point attempt back 15 yards. Stevens missed, leaving Washington ahead 33-24 — and Seattle quickly made the miss matter.
Darnold completed three consecutive passes to Smith-Njigba before finding Cooper Kupp for a 7-yard touchdown. The extra point cut Washington’s lead to 33-31 with 2:51 remaining.
Washington needed two first downs to finish the game. White ran for 19 yards on third-and-nine, then Mariota scrambled for 9 yards on third-and-seven three plays later, allowing the Commanders to end the game with two kneel-downs.
“The more the adversity hits, the more we come together,” Mariota said. “I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards without an interception. Darnold completed 31 of 45 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns, but his two interceptions and Seattle’s lost fumble proved costly. The Commanders turned Seattle’s three turnovers into 20 points.
McLaurin caught six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. Smith-Njigba led Seattle with 10 receptions for 128 yards and two scores.
Watch the NFL’s official abridged game recap.
Up next: London — and an Alexandria watch spot
Washington will face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Oct. 4, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Eastern, and NFL Network will televise the game.
The Commanders will serve as the designated home team. It will be Washington’s second consecutive international game and its first appearance in London since 2016.
Fans looking for an Alexandria viewing location can watch at Joe Theismann’s Restaurant, 1800A Diagonal Road, directly across from the King Street-Old Town Metro Station. The restaurant will open at 9 a.m. for the early kickoff, serving its Sunday brunch menu; the sports bar and lounge has 11 televisions.
Author’s Note: Pat Malone plans to be at Theismann’s Sunday morning to watch with other local fans.
