Did you miss the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dominate the Washington Commanders in their Week 9 'Sunday Night Football' matchup? It was a showcase of offensive firepower and defensive grit, with quarterback Sam Darnold leading the charge for Seattle. Let's dive into the highlights from this exciting game! These are the plays everyone's talking about!
Darnold's Hot Start:
The Seahawks drew first blood early, with Sam Darnold connecting with wide receiver Tory Horton for a short, but sweet, 4-yard touchdown pass right in the end zone. This marked the opening score of the game against the Commanders, setting the tone for what was to come. You can see the clip here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/sam-darnold-hits-horton-in-the-end-zone-to-open-the-scoring-in-snf-vs-commanders]
Darnold's Dominant Performance:
But that was just the beginning. Darnold went on to have a career day, racking up 330 passing yards and throwing for a whopping four touchdowns! It was arguably his best performance as a Seahawk. Check out his highlight reel from that game here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/sam-darnold-s-best-plays-from-330-yard-4-td-game-vs-commanders-week-9]
Commanders' Brief Spark:
Washington did manage to get on the board themselves. Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. powered his way into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown. It was a hard-fought run, showcasing Rodriguez's determination. See the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/chris-rodriguez-sneaks-in-for-a-4-yard-touchdown-vs-seahawks]
Seahawks' Defensive Prowess:
Seattle's defense also made its presence felt. Linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and defensive tackle Jarran Reed combined forces to deliver a crushing 10-yard sack on Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, forcing a crucial fourth down. This was a momentum-shifting play! Watch the sack here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/nwosu-reed-combo-devours-daniels-for-a-10-yard-sack-to-force-fourth-down]
Trickery in the Red Zone:
The Seahawks weren't afraid to get creative. Tight end AJ Barner took a direct snap and bulldozed his way into the end zone for a 1-yard rushing touchdown. It was a surprising play call that caught the Commanders off guard. What did you think of this play? See the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/te-sneak-aj-barner-takes-the-direct-snap-for-a-rushing-td]
Samuels Shows His Speed:
Despite the Commanders' struggles, wide receiver Deebo Samuels displayed his electrifying speed and agility, turning a short pass from Daniels into a 19-yard gain. Watch this play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/deebo-samuel-ignites-the-jets-for-a-19-yard-gain]
Sainristil's Interception:
Washington's Mike Sainristil made a highlight-reel play, intercepting a pass from Darnold with an acrobatic, horizontal grab. It was a moment of brilliance for the Commanders' defense. Check out that athletic interception here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/mike-sainristil-gets-horizontal-to-snag-an-int-off-of-darnold]
Daniels-to-Ertz Connection:
Quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with veteran tight end Zach Ertz for a 25-yard gain, showcasing their developing chemistry. Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/jayden-daniels-tosses-a-25-yard-dime-to-zach-ertz]
Myers Extends the Lead Before Halftime
Seattle's kicker Jason Myers drilled a 41-yard field goal before the half to extend the Seahawks' lead to 31-7. Watch the kick here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/jason-myers-41-yard-fg-extends-seahawks-lead-to-31-7-at-the-half-vs-commanders]
Smith-Njigba's Stellar Performance:
Rookie wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout game, making several impressive catches. One highlight was a 26-yard grab that put the Seahawks in prime field goal position. See the fantastic catch here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/smith-njigba-grabs-a-26-yard-lob-from-darnold-to-set-up-seahawks-in-prime-fg-position]
More Smith-Njigba Highlights:
Darnold and Smith-Njigba connected again for a 20-yard gain, further showcasing their growing connection. See this play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/sam-darnold-delivers-a-strike-to-smith-njigba-for-20-yard-gain]
Daniels' Scrambling Ability:
Jayden Daniels used his legs to score a 1-yard rushing touchdown, his second of the 2025 season. This play reduced the Seahawks' lead to 28-6 in the second quarter. See the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/jayden-daniels-second-td-run-of-2025-trims-seahawks-lead-to-28-6-in-second-quarter]
Darnold's Pocket Awareness:
Darnold showed great pocket awareness, evading pressure and finding Smith-Njigba for a 22-yard gain amidst a sea of Commanders defenders. Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/darnold-evades-pocket-pressure-to-locate-smith-njigba-in-a-sea-of-commanders-for-22-yards]
Darnold's Long Bomb:
In what was arguably the play of the game, Darnold launched a 60-yard touchdown pass to Cody White. It was a perfectly thrown ball and a great catch, showcasing the Seahawks' explosive offensive potential. Do you think Darnold will be able to continue to play this well? Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-darnold-s-fourth-td-pass-of-first-half-is-60-yard-strike-to-cody-white]
Another Touchdown for Darnold:
Darnold's accuracy was on full display as he connected with Elijah Arroyo for a 26-yard touchdown pass. This came immediately after a Commanders fumble recovery, adding insult to injury. See this play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/darnold-s-accuracy-is-impeccable-on-26-yard-td-dart-to-elijah-arroyo-on-snf]
Commanders' Special Teams Mishap:
The Commanders suffered a critical special teams error when Jaylin Lane fumbled the kickoff return, giving the Seahawks excellent field position. See the fumble here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/commanders-fumbled-kickoff-return-gives-seattle-a-fresh-set-of-downs-deep-in-d-c-territory]
Darnold-to-Horton Connection Again:
Darnold connected with Tory Horton again, this time for a 25-yard touchdown, extending the Seahawks' lead to 13-0. Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/sam-darnold-s-25-yard-td-launch-to-tory-horton-boosts-seahawks-lead-to-13-0-on-snf]
Darnold's Throw on the Run:
Darnold showed his athleticism by completing a 17-yard pass to Smith-Njigba while on the run. Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/darnold-s-throw-on-the-run-strikes-smith-njigba-for-17-yards]
Okada's Interception:
Safety Ty Okada made an incredible interception, showcasing his athleticism and securing another turnover for the Seahawks' defense. See this play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/can-t-miss-play-ty-okada-goes-way-upstairs-for-epic-int-with-toe-tap-finish-vs-commanders]
Walker's Elusive Run:
Running back Kenneth Walker III caught a short pass from Darnold and gained 14 yards, showcasing his elusiveness. Watch the play here: [https://www.nfl.com/videos/kenneth-walker-stumbles-his-way-to-a-14-yard-pickup]
Other Week 9 Highlights:
While the Seahawks-Commanders game was a major focus, there were other notable performances in Week 9. Las Vegas Raiders' tight end Brock Bowers had a monster game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, racking up 127 yards and three touchdowns. [https://www.nfl.com/videos/best-plays-from-brock-bowers-127-yard-3-td-game-vs-jaguars-week-9]
Etienne's Strong Rushing Performance:
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had a strong rushing performance, gaining 115 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders. [https://www.nfl.com/videos/travis-etienne-s-best-plays-from-115-yard-game-vs-raiders-week-9]
Kincaid Shines for the Bills:
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid had a breakout game against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. [https://www.nfl.com/videos/every-dalton-kincaid-catch-from-101-yard-game-vs-chiefs-week-9]
Allen Leads Bills to Victory:
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen threw for 273 yards with a passing touchdown and a pair of rushing touchdowns in his team's 28-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. [https://www.nfl.com/videos/josh-allen-s-best-plays-from-3-td-game-vs-chiefs-week-9]
Cook's Rushing Prowess:
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook had a strong rushing performance against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 9. [https://www.nfl.com/videos/best-runs-from-james-cook-s-114-yard-game-vs-chiefs-week-9]
The Seahawks' dominant win over the Commanders was a statement game. But here's where it gets controversial... While Darnold had a fantastic performance, do you think he's the long-term answer at quarterback for Seattle? Or was this just a flash in the pan against a struggling Commanders team? And what about the Commanders? Is it time for a major rebuild? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
