Landover, Md. Even those seated high above the field in the Shirley Povich Press Box could not hide their astonishment as the game’s pivotal moment unfolded.
With just under four minutes left in regulation, Washington Commanders reserve linebacker Kain Medrano stepped in front of a pass from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, intercepted it, and raced 50 yards for a touchdown. The score sealed the Commanders’ inaugural win of the season.
Though the crowd of 64,207 erupted in celebration during the home opener, a gentle reminder from the press box’s public-address announcer underscored the moment: press members are expected to remain composed. Still, given the stakes, the emotional response made perfect sense.
The Seahawks, reigning Super Bowl champions and riding a 12-game winning streak, entered as strong contenders but left with a 33–31 loss, largely due to Darnold’s second turnover of the afternoon.
“It was a poor choice,” Darnold acknowledged. “He did well to contain me on the outside, so I had to decide quickly. I should’ve laid it off for him to handle.”
Darnold repeated that he spotted Medrano but still opted to deliver the ball toward tight end AJ Barner. This misstep marked one of several critical junctures for Darnold in his first start since sustaining a glute injury just five plays into the season-opener.
Darnold’s opportunity arose after starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was ruled out with an elbow issue, and Seattle’s decision to start him over backup Drew Lock, facing Washington’s Marcus Mariota, added to the narrative.
Faced with the challenge, Darnold dropped back to pass 45 times, his highest total since December 2019 with the Jets, when he threw 48 times in a defeat to Cincinnati. On Sunday, he completed 31 of those 45 attempts for 379 yards, four touchdowns, and two picks.
Seattle’s ground game struggled significantly, managing just 2.4 yards per carry across 18 rushes. Rookie Jadarian Price, who fumbled in each of his first two games, bore part of that burden. “I made an error early on,” Price noted, “so I’m prepared to accept whatever follows.”
That first miscue. Price’s fumble in the opening quarter, helped Washington seize an early 7–0 lead, setting the tone for a game in which Seattle trailed for much of the stretch. Darnold was asked to carry a heavier offensive load, with pass plays accounting for 71.8 percent of Seattle’s offensive snaps.
Though he matched his season-high of four touchdown passes, matching a career-best of five set during the 2024 campaign, both of Darnold’s interceptions proved costly, ultimately contributing directly to Commanders scores.
Following a third-quarter three-and-out forced by Seattle’s defense, Darnold handed Washington another opportunity when a pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, last season’s Offensive Player of the Year, was tipped at the line and secured by rookie Sonny Styles.
“They played a top-tier game on defense,” Darnold said. “They executed well across the board.”
Coach Mike Macdonald viewed Darnold’s outing as reflective of Seattle’s overall performance, capable, but marked by moments that demanded refinement.
Seahawks Face Turnover Troubles Despite Darnold’s Full Return
Head coach Mike Macdonald acknowledged the offense made progress in its passing efficiency but emphasized the need for improved ball security moving forward.
While quarterback Geno Darnold delivered a strong individual performance in guiding the Seahawks to their second Super Bowl crown last season, he also led the NFL in turnovers among quarterbacks, accounting for 14 picks and six fumbles lost.
Backup Drew Lock provided a steadying influence over the past two contests, stepping in without committing a single turnover. He connected on 72.9% of his passes, tossed four touchdown passes, all to wide receiver Noah Smith-Njigba, while maintaining poise in relief. Smith-Njigba added two more scores from Darnold on Sunday, with veteran Cooper Kupp and reserve tight end Eric Saubert each contributing touchdowns of their own. Still, Darnold’s lapses ultimately weighed heavily on the outcome.
Cooper Kupp noted the significance of Darnold’s recent return: “He only saw five snaps in Week One before this game, so for him to come back and perform at that level was impressive. You could see his command of the offense right away, sharp throws, good movement, and the ability to work outside the structure when needed.”
Darnold’s physical condition appeared to be a bright spot, as he moved freely laterally and reported feeling strong after the game. Yet, despite regaining full health, free from the glute issue that previously limited him, his decision-making under pressure continued to raise concerns.
“I don’t think it’s the result we hoped for,” Darnold said. “Too many turnovers, not enough execution inside the red zone. We know where we need to tighten things up.”
The offensive struggles weren’t isolated to the quarterback position. Seattle’s defense surrendered its highest point total since the 38–37 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams on December 18, opening the door for opponents to exploit gaps in the back end.
The secondary dealt with multiple absences, as starting safeties Julian Love (calf) and Ty Okada (hamstring) missed the contest. Rodney Thomas II and AJ Finley filled in as starters, though the unit allowed Marcus Mariota to post three touchdown passes against them while avoiding critical errors.
Terry McLaurin, a Seattle wide receiver, expressed confidence in Mariota’s ability to elevate the offense: “Wherever he’s given the opportunity, we truly believe he can put us in position to win every week.”
The Seahawks showed consistent faith in Lock during Darnold’s absence, and Sunday’s performance reinforced that trust. Darnold, now operating without physical restrictions, delivered a performance emblematic of the team’s broader effort: solid in flashes, but marked by moments of inconsistency.
Macdonald offered a measured assessment of the takeaway: “The results aren’t ideal, but we’ll review each decision, why it was made, how it unfolded, and use that to refine our approach. Overall, he kept us competitive, and that’s something we can build on.”