The Washington Commanders managed to eke out their first win of 2026 when they hosted the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, coming away with a 33-31 victory.
The win was significant for a variety of reasons. For one, they were using backup quarterback Marcus Mariota while starting quarterback Jayden Daniels rests the elbow injury on his non-throwing arm. The hope is that Daniels will be able to return to the field soon, but until then, Mariota is the guy. The offensive line is banged up, and multiple backups are playing. The team also has no true RB1.
Mariota is a veteran quarterback who could start on several other NFL teams, which helps. But he can’t do it alone, and this entire team rallied against the reigning Super Bowl champions. The defense forced
three turnovers and played very well, too. The Commanders as a whole came together in Week 3 to get the win, creating momentum as they prepare to host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 4.
As we enter Week 4, here’s where the Commanders rank across multiple power rankings.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY: 20 (30)
Credit to coach Dan Quinn and his veteran leadership from keeping this team from circling the drain in the aftermath of QB Jayden Daniels' latest elbow injury. Handing the Seahawks their second road loss in 24 months is a good way to spark a turnaround.
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 21 (27)
It's not like the Commanders dominated on Sunday. They were outgained 437-258. They allowed 31 points at home. Marcus Mariota threw for just 183 yards and the Commanders averaged 2.6 yards per rush. That doesn't matter because the Commanders took advantage of all their opportunities to win 33-31, a victory that gives them hope of digging out of an 0-2 hole to start the season.
Also, Jayden Daniels could be close to a return. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told Albert Breer of The MMQB that Daniels is "more likely than not" to travel to London for the team's Week 4 game against the Colts, which gives him a shot to play two weeks after dislocating his left elbow.
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 24 (29)
Super Bowl odds: +8000Next game: vs. Colts (Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET in London)
Marcus Mariota pulled off a big and impressive upset against the defending champs (albeit with the help of some errant throws by Seattle QB Sam Darnold). And that was huge for this battered team, knowing that starting QB Jayden Daniels’ return may only be a couple of weeks away. The Commanders didn’t get much of a running game — and now RB Rachaad White is hurt — and Dan Quinn’s defense offered little resistance until two late interceptions. So there are still issues to be fixed.
Mariota’s mission is to keep them afloat until Daniels is back. The Colts and Giants are up next, so he’s got a shot.
Stat To Know: The Commanders snapped a six-game home losing streak in their win over the Seahawks.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 28 (29)
Marcus Mariota led them to an upset of the Seahawks on Sunday, which changes the narrative about this team for now. The defense made some big plays. Now they head to London to play the Colts.
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated: 26 (28)
Last week’s ranking: No. 28Last week’s result: beat Seahawks, 33–31This week: vs. Colts (London)
I really loved this story about the rest of the Commanders’ captains coming together to insist Marcus Mariota was made a season-long captain in Jayden Daniels’s absence. He seems to be one of the game’s true beloved souls.
Chad Graff and Josh Kendall, The Athletic: 23 (29)
Last week: 29
Sunday: Beat Seahawks 33-31
QB confidence: Does weeping count?
Backup Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes to shock the Seahawks, but Commanders fans are still in a corner crying about Jayden Daniels. Since Daniels’ breakout rookie season, he has missed 11 games because of injury, and Washington is 2-7 in the games he has started. When Daniels returns from his second dislocated elbow, Commanders fans will be holding their collective breath and hoping he can stay healthy and play well again.
Up next: vs. Colts, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET
theScore: 20 (26)
Previous rank: 26
The Commanders gave themselves life with Sunday's huge win over the Seahawks, staving off a dubious 0-3 start by defeating the reigning champs without Jayden Daniels - and without virtually any production from their run game. Now they must carry that momentum overseas, where they'll take on the Colts in London.
Bleacher Report: 24 (29)
Last Week: 29
Week 3 Result: Won vs. Seattle 33-31
The Washington Commanders have their signature win of the season—a victory over the reigning Super Bowl champions with backup quarterback Marcus Mariota under center. The Commanders offense moved the ball consistently against arguably the league's best defense, and Mariota sealed the win on a scramble for a first down.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels could be back within three weeks. After Mariota's Week 3 performance, the Commanders don't need to rush Daniels back; their offense fared well without him in the short term.
Walter Football: 29 (28)
Forgive me for not being too impressed by Washington's upset win over the Seahawks. The Redskins were outgained 437-258 and averaged 2.8 fewer yards per play than Seattle.
NFL Nation, ESPN: 26 (28)
Fantasy surprise: WR Stefon Diggs
Diggs was the WR33 in ADP, but he's up to WR13 as Washington's leader in receptions (13) and receiving touchdowns (three). He didn't sign with the Commanders until after the first week of training camp, and he's already with his second quarterback. The question is: Where does he go from here? He has been more of an underneath receiver, and has yet to surpass 55 yards in a single game. Diggs posted five 100-yard games with New England last season.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: NFL power rankings 2026: How do the Commanders fare entering Week 4?
