The Washington Commanders picked up their first win of the 2026 season on Sunday, defeating the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks 33-31 in their home opener.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota started in place of the injured Jayden Daniels and completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns. Mariota’s zone-read keeper on third-and-7 with 1:36 remaining in the game clinched the win for Washington.
The Commanders struggled to stop Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but forced their first three turnovers of the game, including a pick-six from backup linebacker Kain Medrano, which proved to be the difference.
Here are six takeaways from Sunday’s huge upset win.
Season saved
Even if the Commanders had lost and fallen
to 0-3, the season still wouldn’t be over. However, history wasn’t in their favor. They needed a win, but facing the defending champs would be tough. Washington never flinched. The Commanders made mistakes, but kept battling. Every Washington fan saw how things were playing out late. After Medrano’s interception return for a touchdown, a penalty forced Drew Stevens to kick a really long PAT. He missed it. The lead was nine points, so the defense couldn’t allow the Seahawks to score quickly. Seattle drove the length of the field in 1:06 for a touchdown, and it was a two-point game. Washington would need to win it on offense.
On two third-down plays, the Commanders made what head coach Dan Quinn calls “winning plays.” One was a 19-yard run by Rachaad White to give them a first down. After two more runs went nowhere, but forced Seattle to burn its timeouts, offensive coordinator David Blough called a zone read on third-and-7; Mariota kept it and got nine yards, clinching the win.
To win, the Commanders needed everyone to contribute. Everyone did. Regardless of what happens next week, Washington couldn’t afford to start 0-3. It didn’t.
David Blough’s first win as an OC
Blough had his work cut out for him. He faced the NFL’s best defense and top defensive mind with a backup quarterback and multiple backup offensive linemen. Blough wasn’t perfect; at times he ran when it didn’t make sense, including in the fourth quarter when Washington settled for a Drew Stevens field goal. But he matched wits with Mike Macdonald and came away a winner. On that final drive, Blough had his back against the wall. However, two huge third-down calls to not only pick up first downs but also burn clock were the calls of the game. It took guts to keep running, knowing that if you allowed your defense back on the field, Seattle would probably score and win. Blough didn’t flinch. He called run plays, one to White and Mariota zone-read keeper, which were the winning plays.
A good day for the rookie OC, who was playing with a short-handed lineup against an elite defense.
Daronte Jones got his turnovers
Another unimpressive defensive performance unless you dig a little deeper. Yes, Washington allowed Sam Darnold to pass for 379 yards and four touchdowns. The Commanders had no answer for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but no one else does either. Washington entered Sunday’s game without forcing a turnover. That changed in a big way, as the Commanders forced three and turned them into points. Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles forced two of them and almost had another one.
Washington must clean up several things, but turnovers hide some of those flaws. You won’t get those turnovers every week. Part of the issue for the Commanders is the lack of a pass rush. Far too often, Darnold had all day to throw. According to the live broadcast, it was the second-most time to throw for Darnold since he signed with the Seahawks in 2025. Turnovers saved the day, so kudos to Jones.
This defense can stop the run
In three weeks, here’s how opposing teams’ run games have fared against the Commanders:
- Eagles: 25/136, 5.4 yards per rush
- Cowboys: 21/66, 3.1 yards per rush
- Seahawks: 18/44, 2.4 yards per rush
If not for one Saquon Barkley run for 42 yards, the Eagles would not break 100. And that was because of a missed tackle at the line of scrimmage. This is impressive from Daronte Jones’ unit. Washington’s defense will be tested next week when it faces Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts. Quarterback Daniel Jones has beaten them with his legs many times over the years.
Lineup changes
It will be interesting to see the final snap counts from this game. Cornerback Mike Sainristil did not start. He didn't play a lot either. When he did play, he allowed a key third-down reception in the second quarter. He also had a defensive holding penalty. And then there was this:
Sainristil’s man… pic.twitter.com/qcaZuQ9HEu
— Tiller56 (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) September 27, 2026
Amik Robertson was outstanding for the Commanders. At other spots, we saw a lot of Rasul Douglas, as usual, but even Fabian Moreau got some snaps at cornerback. It may be tough for Sainristil to get back into the lineup, especially when Trey Amos returns.
There was also some shuffling along the offensive line. With right guard Sam Cosmi out, center Nick Allegretti moved to right guard, and veteran Lucas Patrick started at center. Patrick injured his ankle at one point and was in and out of the game. At that point, Allegretti moved back to center and rookie Matt Gulbin played right guard. Washington was excellent in pass protection again, but the run blocking remains an issue.
The phenomenal Sonny Styles
Washington fans have dreamed of a homegrown defensive superstar for years. Chase Young was supposed to be that guy. It didn’t work out. The Commanders may finally have their guy in rookie linebacker Sonny Styles. Wearing the green dot as the defensive communicator, Styles was everywhere on Sunday. He forced a fumble on Seattle's first drive that the Commanders turned into a touchdown. He also picked off a pass that led to points. On one of the Seahawks’ touchdowns, Styles stripped the tight end at the goal line, but he was fortunate the ball landed back on him before he fell to the ground.
Then, check this one out:
Be still my beating heart. A Commanders LB just ran down the field with a speedy RB step for step and broke the pass up.
— Grant Paulsen (@GrantPaulsen) September 27, 2026
Sonny Styles is an absolute freak. pic.twitter.com/TCUnAdmAqg
He is running stride-for-stride with a speedy first-round running back, and he makes the play. Amazing. Styles finished the day with five tackles, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups, an interception and one quarterback hit. What a day for the rookie.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Six takeaways from Commanders' huge win over Seahawks
