The Daily Slop – 27 September 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
Commanders links
Articles
Sports Illustrated
Why the Commanders Will Beat the Seahawks, Why They Won’t — and a Prediction
They don’t need Mariota trying to win this game by himself. Run the ball, stay ahead of the sticks, and don’t give Seattle a chance to pin its ears back and turn this into a game where
everyone knows Washington has to throw. If the Commanders can do that, keep the clock moving, and keep Seattle’s offense standing on the sideline, this suddenly becomes a much more manageable game.
Seattle also has something Washington can attack on the other side. The Seahawks will be without both starting safeties, Julian Love and Ty Okada, meaning AJ Finley and Rodney Thomas II are expected to step into those spots. Nobody should confuse that with Seattle suddenly having a bad secondary, but it’s an opening Washington has to take advantage of. Mariota called himself a “point guard” this week, and that’s probably the right approach. Get the ball to Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs, Antonio Williams, and the rest of the playmakers, then let them do something with it.
Mariota also isn’t coming into this thing completely cold. He went 11-of-16 for 111 yards and a touchdown after Daniels went down in Dallas. Washington doesn’t need 350 yards from him Sunday. If the offensive line can hold up and the run game does its part, he should have chances against a Seattle secondary missing two starters.
[Washington’s] defense has allowed seven passing touchdowns in two games while not allowing one on the ground. Dak Prescott completed 26 of 31 passes for 279 yards and four touchdowns last week, and now the Commanders have to try to fix that without Luvu or Cross.
Seattle gets Sam Darnold back, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba is coming off a gamewhere he caught three touchdowns and finished with 155 yards. That’s not exactly what you want to see walking through the door when your secondary is already struggling. Quinn has spent the week hammering communication, saying, “You can’t get it right most of the time. You got to get it right all the time.” That’s true, but at some point Washington has to stop talking about fixing the explosive plays and actually fix them.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
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Commanders Roundtable
Week 3 by the numbers: Seahawks at Commanders
3 Touchdowns: Stefon Diggs’ early-season red-zone production. Diggs has proven to be one of the most seamless free agent additions in years, bringing instant veteran efficiency and scoring punch to D.C. He will be leaned on heavily on crucial third downs.
82 Career Starts: Marcus Mariota’s total games played over his career. The veteran finds himself in a familiar spot—filling in for an injured franchise quarterback. Best served as a quick-release game manager, he must play within himself and avoid the hero ball that leads to turnovers.
Zero Defensive Turnovers: Washington’s takeaway tally so far this season, ranking them 30th in the league. This drought follows a dismal 31st overall ranking in 2025, during which the defense generated a meager 10 total takeaways all year.
4.9 Yards Per Carry: Seattle’s defensive vulnerability on the ground if Washington can commit to the run. Establishing a heavy, clock-controlling script is the best way to protect the defense and keep the game close.
5 Sacks: The total amount of sacks the Commanders have accumulated this season (three against the Eagles, two against the Cowboys). Daronte Jones needs to dial up the pressure against Seattle and muddy the game up. If they can replicate that 5-sack output tomorrow, Washington has a puncher’s chance.
8.6 Yards Per Pass Attempt: An eye-popping metric showing just how leaky the Commanders’ secondary has been. This number has to drastically drop for the team to stay competitive.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Field Gulls
5Qs, 5As: Seahawks-Commanders preview with Hogs Haven
Who is a player on offense…for the Commanders whose name Seattle fans may not recognize, but who could have an outsized influence on the outcome of the game?
On offense, rookie WR Antonio Williams was taken in the 3rd round of this year’s draft. He’s a great route runner and seems to already understand a lot of the nuance of the WR position. As a result, he’s been getting more and more time on the field and it’s clear the staff trust him. Williams caught 4-of-4 targets for 64 yards and a TD in week 1. He only caught 3-of-3 passes for 24 yards in week 2, but his route share jumped from 28.9% to 54.8% and they even designed a trick play for him in week 2, so I think it’s clear the coaching staff want to increase his role in the offense.
The Commanders have new coordinators on both sides of the ball this season. How much different do things look for the groups, or did the new coordinators bring some level of continuity within the system?
On defense, new DC Daronte Jones was brought in to implement a Brian Flores-style attacking defense like he oversaw in Minnesota. This is an aggressive defense that relies on a high blitz rate, simulated pressures, disguised coverages, and lots of pre-snap defensive motion to confuse and pressure the QB. Through two weeks, it has seemed to be very effective at limiting the opposing run game, but has struggled with giving up explosive passing plays. I think the problems in coverage are partly due to players still learning their responsibilities, but also because this style of defense relies on pressure and confusion making the QB’s job difficult, so if that doesn’t happen, the coverage on the backend doesn’t have a lot of support.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Sports Illustrated
10 Commanders Quotes That Define Washington Entering Week 3 vs. Seahawks
David Blough — Trick plays are “normal plays” to Washington
Question: “You had the trick play with Antonio Williams, then came right back with another trick play. What’s the thinking behind calling two of them in a row?”
“I think philosophically speaking, we view them as normal plays, just opportunities for us to take advantage of trying to make people cover 53-and-a-third wide all the way to the end zone. And we got a lot of guys who can throw, as you saw. Antonio had the first attempt, Dami there. And we work these plays a lot. We view them as normal plays. So if we think that’s the best opportunity for us to convert on a third-and-long, we’ll let it rip. If we think it’s the best chance to convert on a first-and-10, we’ll turn it loose there, too. We like to be aggressive and keep those guys engaged in that way.”
Daronte Jones — Takeaways are still the defense’s “most glaring” missing piece
Question: “Two games in, you’ve probably done a deep dive looking at the defense overall. What are you not seeing yet that you really want to see at this stage moving forward?”
“Yeah, the most glaring thing that we’d love to see is just takeaways. That’s something that we’ve been stressing and working on day-to-day, going back to OTAs, and forcing in terms of that mindset so it can become subconscious, so guys are constantly attacking the ball. And that’s where I think we need to grow and continue to progress that way so we can get the ball off these guys and get our offense some extra possessions. Takeaways change it. It changes the game. The turnover margin changes the game, and we have to do our part with that.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Podcasts & videos
HC Dan Quinn Previews Seahawks Vs. Commanders | Washington Commanders | The Gameplan | NFL
NFC East links
Blogging the Boys
5 things to watch when the Cowboys play the Ravens
The biggest opponent on Sunday might not be wearing a jersey. All the talk in recent weeks has centered around the significant issues with the field in Maracanã Stadium. It could be bumpy, it might be mushy, but whatever the conditions, it will be something the players will have to muddle through.
Hopefully, the Cowboys bring the right shoes to grip the turf, but we should prepare ourselves for what could be a messy affair. Poor field conditions favor more straight-line power runners and physical downfield defenders who don’t rely on sudden changes of direction to make plays, so it could neutralize the Cowboys offensive playmakers and empower the Ravens more physical ones.
Up for grabs
A sloppy field isn’t conducive to crisp routes. That should mean a lot of the big passing plays could come courtesy of yards-after-the-catch. While both teams will look to exploit that, the Cowboys also have an x-factor in George Pickens.
In a game where creating separation won’t be easy, the Cowboys have one of the best contested pass catchers in the league. The team’s other star receiver has been quiet so far, but he could become an international hero if he can populate the highlight reel by coming up with some impressive 50/50 balls. We know he has it in him.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
ESPN
Rio field gets final touches, ‘no need to worry’ NFL says
The Maracana’s turf has been a concern for almost two weeks due to its poor shape amid a long season in Brazilian soccer. Local clubs, Flamengo and Fluminense, play there at least once a week.
Maracana workers were using mows and scissors, big and small, to perfect the turf for the game.
Concerns are about the turf’s traction and stability, which made the NFL reinforce its stitching. Earlier this week, field director Nick Pappas said he was confident players will have no trouble.
On Saturday, Pappas told journalists that the NFL made additional improvements since the union’s concerns were raised.
“Things check out,” Pappas said. “No need to worry.”
The NFL has been playing in Brazil since 2024, but the two previous games were at the 48,000-seat NeoQuimica Arena in Sao Paulo. In the first year of the Brazil game, its turf was also criticized and forced players of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers to change their cleats to stop slipping.
The Maracana field is 100% natural grass, while the NeoQuimica Arena has a mixture between natural and synthetic that footballers in Brazil deem to be the country’s best pitch.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Upcoming opponent – Seahawks
Commanders next game is at home vs Seattle at 1pm
Field Gulls
Seahawks Reacts results: Seahawks fans expect comfortable win over Commanders
Only six percent of polled Seahawks fans believe that the Commanders will pull off the upset. This is not a surprising result considering…the Seahawks winning 12 straight games, and now with quarterback Sam Darnold returning. Likely for these same reasons, the national media all appear to believe the Seahawks take care of business this weekas well.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Field Gulls
Seahawks turn to practice squad with both starting safeties out against Commanders
With Julian Love and Ty Okada out, Maxen Hook is called up to the Seahawks active roster
Pro Bowl safety Julian Love will miss the game due to a calf injury, while Ty Okada is out due to a hamstring that has kept him off the field for the duration of the first month of the season. Add in that second year man Nick Emmanwori is still working his way back from offseason ankle surgery, and the Seahawks will certainly be thin at safety for this matchup.
Thus, on Saturday afternoon the team turned to the practice squad and elevated Maxen Hook for the Week 3 showdown against the Commanders.
Former Indianapolis Colts safety Rodney Thomas is likely to start for the third straight week. Signed in free agency during the offseason, Thomas spent the first two weeks of the season on the practice squad before moving to the active roster on Wednesday.
Nick Emmanwori and A.J. Finley were the only other healthy safeties on the roster ahead of the elevation of Hook, who is now in line to see the first regular season action of his career. Undrafted out of Toledo in 2025, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, but failed to make the roster out of training camp before signing with the Seahawks practice squad in October.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL league links
Articles
ESPN
Bears QB Williams out for MNF; backup Bagent back at practice
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Williams injured his right hamstring late in Chicago’s 9-3 loss to the Vikings in Week 2. He did not practice ahead of the Eagles game and is considered week-to-week.
Meanwhile, Bears backup quarterback Tyson Bagent was back on the practice field Saturday in full capacity. While he remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, Bagent was able to participate in the Bears’ final practice and is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report.
Johnson said the Bears are still determining their quarterback depth chart against the Eagles, including who will start. Case Keenum, the Bears’ third-string quarterback, has participated all three days in practice and could start his first regular-season game since Dec. 2024.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
NFL.com
Cardinals’ Jeremiyah Love on ‘humbling’ start to career: I’m used to ‘going crazy every week’
“I want to go crazy every single game,” Love said Friday, via the team website. “Last week I didn’t. It’s kind of hard. I come from a place where I’m going crazy every week. It’s kind of humbling a little bit. I’m getting used to the situation I am in.
“It’s been a challenge and I’m up for the challenge.”
The 21-year-old has 70 yards on 20 carries through two games, good for just a 3.5 yards-per-carry average. He’s also added five receptions for 25 yards.
It was a much different story at Notre Dame. An All-American with the Irish, Love averaged 6.9 yards per carry in each of his final two collegiate seasons. He eclipsed 95 scrimmage yards, the combined total he has through two professional outings, in nine of 12 contests during his final year, with 21 total touchdowns.
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
Front Office Sportss
NFL Fines Players $300,000 for Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Week 2
Tee Higgins and Amon-Ra St. Brown received four fines each. Ja’Marr Chase, Jameson Williams, and Kyle Juszczyk were fined twice apiece
Fines were up sharply in Week 2, mainly due to unsportsmanlike conduct violations. According to the NFL’s data, 38 plays in Week 2 drew a fine, up from 20 in Week 1 games.
That list included 22 fines for unsportsmanlike conduct violations totaling $300,089. Of those, 13 were for illegal celebrations and vulgar acts, five for obscene gestures, and four for taunting. Fifteen of the fines were for $14,926; three were for $11,941 each.
A total of 13 players received unsportsmanlike conduct fines. Wide receivers Tee Higgins of the Bengals and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Lions each received four fines and were fined $59,704 apiece.
St. Brown’s “unsportsmanlike” celebration involved an imitation of smoking. Higgins and fellow Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase did celebrations patterned after The Rock’s “people’s elbow.”
Chase, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, and 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk were fined twice each. Eight other players were fined once each.
Juszczyk and several other players were fined for what the NFL interpreted as beer-chugging imitations. Juszczyk, nicknamed “Juice,” has used the celebration previously during his career. He texted to ESPN this week, “I don’t even drink beer.”
To read more of this article, CLICK HERE
2027 Draft
Pro Football Talk
Dante Moore knocked out with brutal hit to the head while sliding
Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, a potential first overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft, took a brutal hit to his head while sliding during today’s game against USC and appeared to be unconscious on the field.
Moore ran for 10 yards on second-and-9 in the second quarter and then went into a feet-first slide. After Moore’s knee hit the ground, USC’s Desmond Stephens drove his shoulder into Moore’s head, slamming the back of Moore’s head into the ground. Moore immediately exhibited the fencing response that frequently comes with serious head trauma.
Moore was on the ground for several minutes before he was placed on a stretcher and carted to an ambulance. He was moving his hands and feet.
Stephens was called for targeting and ejected from the game, and a brawl nearly broke out as several Oregon players went after him and players on both teams began to leave the sideline, although the officials and coaches were able to get things calmed down before it got out of hand.
Moore is one of the most talented quarterbacks in college football and was expected to be a first-round pick this year if he had turned pro. Instead, he decided to stay one more year at Oregon, and now the immediate concern is as much about his health as about his football future.
aBit o’Twitter
“The room was hyped up; they cheered, they applauded, some even stood. ”
