When Sam Darnold dropped back on third-and-8 in the second quarter, he didn’t just throw a pass—he fired a laser. It hit Elijah Arroyo in stride for a 26-yard touchdown, his third score of the half. That play capped a 24-point explosion in just 4:18, turning a 7-7 tie into a 31-7 rout. The Seattle Seahawks didn’t just beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 2, 2025—they dismantled them at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, winning 38-14 in a performance that left fans stunned and the Commanders’ season hanging by a thread.
The Darnold Masterclass
Sam Darnold completed 18 of 20 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 126.5 passer rating. He was 17-for-17 before his final two attempts—a near-perfect stretch rarely seen in the NFL. One scout called it "the kind of rhythm you see in video games, not on real turf." The Seahawks’ offense didn’t just move the ball; it carved up Washington’s defense like a surgeon with a scalpel. Darnold’s precision wasn’t luck. It was preparation. After a shaky start to the season, he’s now thrown just one interception in his last 214 attempts. The Commanders’ secondary, already thin, had no answer.
The Injury That Changed Everything
But the real story wasn’t on the Seahawks’ sideline—it was on the Commanders’. Midway through the second quarter, Jayden Daniels, Washington’s electric 21-year-old starting quarterback, went down after a sack. He clutched his right arm, grimaced, and didn’t return. The team later confirmed it was a sprained UCL, though no surgery has been ruled out. Daniels, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick and the face of Washington’s rebuild, was averaging 268 passing yards per game. His absence isn’t just a blow—it’s a seismic shift. Without him, the Commanders’ offense, already ranked 28th in the league, now has to turn to backup Taylor Heinicke, a 30-year-old journeyman with a 58.3 career passer rating.
Second Quarter: The Collapse
The Commanders were competitive through the first 15 minutes. They even scored first on a 12-yard run by Antonio Gibson. But then came the 24-point avalanche. Darnold found Arroyo for a 26-yard TD. Then, on the next drive, he hit rookie wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 42-yard bomb. Two possessions later, running back Kenneth Walker III punched in a 1-yard score after a 10-play, 78-yard drive. The Seahawks didn’t punt. They didn’t turn it over. They didn’t miss. They just kept scoring. Meanwhile, Washington’s offense stalled. Three three-and-outs. Two false starts. One fumble. By halftime, the crowd had thinned. The scoreboard read 31-7. The game was over.
Defense That Breathes Fire
The Seahawks’ defense didn’t get headlines, but they were the quiet architects of the win. They held Washington to 14 points despite giving up 389 yards—a testament to their red-zone discipline. They forced three punts in the first half and didn’t allow a single point in the third quarter. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks had two sacks and a forced fumble. Cornerback Tariq Woolen broke up three passes. And when the Commanders finally got into the end zone in the fourth, it was only after a 14-play, 82-yard drive that consumed nearly seven minutes—far too late to matter. "They don’t give you free passes," said Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald in his postgame presser. "They make you earn every yard. And when you do, they still make you pay."
Division Implications
With the win, the Seahawks improved to 6-2, tying the Los Angeles Rams for the top spot in the NFC West. Both teams have identical records, but Seattle holds the tiebreaker after beating LA earlier this season. More importantly, their point differential of +81 is the best in the NFC—17 points better than the Rams. Meanwhile, the Commanders fell to 3-6, now four games behind the division-leading Philadelphia Eagles. Their +35 point differential is the worst in the NFC East. With Daniels out indefinitely, their playoff hopes are all but dead.
What’s Next?
Seattle travels to face the New York Jets next Sunday, then hosts the 49ers in a potential NFC West decider. Darnold’s confidence is at a career high. The offensive line, once a liability, is now one of the league’s most consistent units. For Washington? The next eight games are a reckoning. Heinicke will start. A rookie, possibly 2025 third-round pick Dylan Sampson, may get snaps. The front office is already fielding trade calls for veteran quarterbacks. But without Daniels, the future looks darker than ever.
Behind the Numbers
- Seahawks: 231 points scored, 150 allowed (+81 differential)
- Commanders: 201 points scored, 236 allowed (-35 differential)
- Darnold: 18/20 completions, 217 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
- Arroyo: 1 reception, 26 yards, 1 TD (first career receiving TD)
- Commanders’ offense: 3-of-12 on third downs, 0 touchdowns in red zone
Frequently Asked Questions
How serious is Jayden Daniels’ arm injury?
The Commanders confirmed Daniels suffered a sprained UCL in his right arm, the same ligament injured by Justin Herbert in 2023. While not requiring surgery yet, recovery could take 6-8 weeks. Without a clear timetable, his return this season is uncertain. If he misses the rest of the year, it would be a devastating setback for Washington’s long-term plan.
Why did the Seahawks’ offense suddenly become so efficient?
It’s a combination of Darnold’s improved decision-making, a healthy offensive line that’s allowed just 8 sacks in the last five games, and a scheme that emphasizes quick releases and play-action. Coach Macdonald simplified the playbook after Week 4, trusting Darnold to read defenses rather than memorize complex routes. The result? A 72% completion rate over the last four games.
What does this mean for the NFC West race?
Seattle and LA are now tied at 6-2, but the Seahawks have the tiebreaker. The 49ers (6-3) are close behind, but their schedule gets tougher—four of their last five games are against playoff teams. If Seattle wins out, they’ll likely host a playoff game. The Rams, meanwhile, need to fix their red-zone inefficiency—just 54% touchdown rate in the red zone, worst in the NFC.
Can the Commanders still make the playoffs?
Mathematically, yes—but practically, no. They’re six games behind the Eagles and have only four games left against teams with losing records. Even if they win all of them, they’d need three other teams to collapse. With Daniels out and their offense struggling to score, even a 7-9 finish seems unlikely. This season is now about evaluating young talent for 2026.
Is Sam Darnold finally the Seahawks’ long-term answer at QB?
He’s playing like it. After three years of instability, Darnold has delivered three straight games with a passer rating over 115. He’s no longer the turnover-prone player from Carolina or New York. His chemistry with Arroyo and Smith-Njigba suggests a new identity: a short-to-intermediate passing attack built on timing and precision. If he stays healthy, he could be the anchor Seattle’s offense has needed since Russell Wilson left.
What role did Elijah Arroyo play in this win?
Arroyo was the perfect complement to Seattle’s offense. With tight ends often targeted in the red zone, he caught his first career touchdown on a well-timed slant. His 26-yard reception was the longest of his season, and his blocking on run plays helped open lanes for Walker III. He’s now tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns among tight ends. For a player who was a late-round pick in 2024, this performance could change his trajectory.
