LANDOVER, Md.—The Seahawks came out of their bye ween firing on all cylinders, and the result was a dominant victory in prime time that improved their record to 6-2.
The Seahawks beat the Washington commanders 38-14 after racing to a 28-0 lead in the first half, pulling away behind a dominant performance by quarterback Sam Darnold, another standout showing by the defense and a big takeaway on special teams.
The win in the Seahawks 10th in a row on the road, adding to a franchise record, and it makes Mike Macdaondl the third coach in NFL history to win 11 of his first 12 road games, joining former 49ers coach George Seifert (1989-1990) and current Rams coach Sean McVay (2017-2018).
Here are seven rapid reactions to Sunday's win:
1. Sam Darnold, take a bow.
It took quarterback Sam Darnold more than a half to throw an incomplete pass, and a related note, Michael Dickson didn't punt until the third quarter.
That's how good the Seahawks, and their quarterback in particular, were on Sunday night.
With Darnold leading the way, the Seahawks scored touchdowns on each of their first four possessions, then added a field goal late in the first half to take a commanding 31-7 halftime lead.
And Darnold was perfect in the half, completing 16 of 16 attempts for 282 and four touchdowns, giving him a perfect 158.3 for the half. Darnold opened the second half with a completion, giving him 17 in a row to match a franchise record held by Warren Moon, before finally throwing incomplete on third-and-1 to Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
That completion was Darnold's first of the game, and also marked the first time in the game that the Seahawks, who were five for five up to that point, failed to convert on third down, leading to Dickson's first punt of the game.
Darnold's first real miscue of the game came later in the third quarter when, running to his left, he tried to throw across his body to Cody White, but threw behind his target, leading to an interception. Darnold bounced back well from that miss, leading another touchdown drive to give the 38-7 lead late in the first quarter, leading to a mass exodus of Commanders fans, he finished the game 21 for 24 for 330 yards, four touchdowns, an interception and a 141.0 passer rating and an eye-popping 13.8 yards-per-attempt average. .
2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba keeps making history.
While Smith-Njigba wasn't on the receiving end of any of Darnold's touchdown passes on Sunday, he was once again his team's leading receiver, catching eight passes for 129 yards, with 119 of those yards coming in the first half.
With another 100-yard game, Smith-Njigba has six this season in eight games, matching Hall of Famer Steve Largent for the most 100-yard games in the season in franchise history—and he still has half a season to play. It was also Smith-Njigba's fourth straight 100-yard game, something no pass catcher in franchise history has done previously.
Smith-Njigba is now up to an NFL-leading 948 yards this season, making him one of two players, along with Isaac Bruce, with at least 900 yards in the first eight games of a season at age 23 or younger. He also became the fifth player in the Super Bowl era with at least 75 yards in each of his first eight games of a season, joining Adam Thielen, Antonio Brown, Michael Irvin and Dwight Clark.
Smith-Njiba also passes DK Metcalf for the most receptions through his first three seasons in franchise history.
3. The defense was great, yet again.
Somewhat lost in all the offensive fireworks was the fact that Seattle's defense, once again, was outstanding in helping the Seahawks to a win.
The Commanders managed two touchdowns, but not until the game was well out of reach, and finished with just 290 yards, marking the sixth time in eight games that a Seahawks opponent has been held under 300 yards and to 20 or fewer points in a game.
The Seahawks pass rush was great, once again, recording four sacks, as well as several other pressures that led to Daniels having to scramble, as well as the aforementioned Witherspoon pressure that led to a turnover.
4. Tory Horton stepped up in Cooper Kupp's absence.
With starting receiver Cooper Kupp inactive due to a hamstring injury, that meant a bigger role for Tory Horton, and the rookie receiver stepped up in a big, big way.
Horton caught a pair of passes on Seattle's 90-yard opening drive, including the touchdown to close it out, then he added a 25-yard touchdown later in the half, giving him four receiving touchdowns, and five total touchdowns with his 95-yard punt return, midway through his rookie campaign.
Horton finished the game with four catches for 48 yards, both marking new career highs for the fifth-round pick out of Colorado State.
5. Welcome back, Devon Witherspoon.
After missing five of the last six games with a knee injury, Devon Witherspoon made his return on Sunday, and the Pro Bowl cornerback appeared to have no rust on his game.
Witherspoon finished seven tackles, several of them the impressive open-field tackles that stopped Washington players short of first downs, and his third-down blitz in the second quarter forced an rushed and errant Jayden Daniels throw that was intercepted by Ty Okada, a turnover that led to a Seahawks touchdown.
6. Ty Okada keeps stepping up in Julian Love's absence.
With Julian Love dealing with a hamstring injury for much of the season, Ty Okada has taken on a starting role for the first time in his career, and with Love going on injured reserve Saturday, Okada will continue to be a big part of Seattle's defense going forward as well.
On Sunday, Okada had four tackles, and most notably, his first career interception, an impressive leaping grab that featured impressive footwork to stay in bounds.
7. A big play for big Brandon Pili.
You don't often seen 334-pound nose tackles on kickoff coverage, but Brandon Pili was in that role on Sunday, and he responded with a big play, reaching out his left arm while being blocked to force a fumble, which was recovered by linebacker Connor O'Toole.
One play later, Darnold hit Elijah Arroyo with for a touchdown, the rookie tight end's first of his career, giving the Seahawks a 21-0 lead.
Seahawks players hit the field for pregame warmups ahead of kickoff of the prime-time game at the Commanders.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39), cornerback Riq Woolen (27) and cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) and safety Nick Emmanwori (3) warm up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
The Seahawks warm up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
The Seahawks warm up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
The Seahawks warm up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
The Seahawks warm up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) warms up at Northwest Stadium for the Sunday Night Football matchup at the Washington Commanders in Week 9.
