Commanders Edge Seahawks 33-31 in Week 3

The Washington Commanders held off the Seattle Seahawks 33-31 on Sunday at Northwest Stadium, surviving Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold’s 379-yard, four-touchdown performance to earn their first win of the 2026 regular season.

Washington improved to 1-2 with a balanced scoring effort that produced points in every quarter: seven in the first, 10 in the second, seven in the third and a pivotal nine in the fourth. Seattle, now 2-1, mounted a serious final-quarter push with 14 points but came up two points short in a back-and-forth Week 3 finish.

The Commanders set the early tone with a 7-0 first-quarter lead, while Seattle was held scoreless in the opening 15 minutes. The Seahawks found their rhythm in the second quarter, putting 10 points on the board, but Washington matched that output and took a 17-10 advantage into halftime.

Neither offense gave much ground in the third quarter. Each side scored seven points, preserving Washington’s seven-point edge entering the fourth. The final period became the difference: Seattle’s offense produced its biggest quarter of the afternoon with 14 points, yet Washington answered with nine points of its own. That slim margin proved decisive in regulation, as the Commanders avoided overtime and closed out a 33-31 home victory.

Key Performers

Darnold delivered one of the day’s most productive passing performances despite the loss, finishing 31/45 for 379 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. He consistently pushed Seattle’s offense down the field and helped fuel the Seahawks’ 14-point fourth-quarter response. But the two turnovers were costly in a game decided by only two points, leaving Seattle with little room for error.

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Darnold’s top target and Seattle’s biggest playmaker. Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, accounting for half of the Seahawks’ receiving scores. His ability to work through the Commanders’ coverage gave Seattle a reliable option throughout the afternoon and helped turn the final quarter into a tense finish.

For Washington, Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the ground game with 19 carries for 36 yards. The rushing total was modest, but his workload reflected the Commanders’ willingness to keep the ball on the ground and manage the flow of a tight game. Washington’s offense did enough to stay ahead on the scoreboard, particularly with its nine points in the fourth quarter.

NerdSports Stat: Washington scored in all four quarters and won by two points, even as Seattle posted 14 fourth-quarter points after being blanked in the first quarter.

The Commanders will look to build on the close win when they host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, October 4. Seattle heads home to face the Los Angeles Chargers that same day, with the Seahawks seeking a quick response after a narrow road loss that featured plenty of offensive production but not quite enough late-game points.

Frequently Asked Questions