The Washington Commanders defeated the Seattle Seahawks 33–31 on September 27, 2026, after a late defensive touchdown helped decide the close NFL game. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
The game showed how strong offensive numbers do not always guarantee a win. Seattle finished with 437 total yards, compared with Washington’s 258, but the Seahawks committed three turnovers and the Commanders committed none. Washington’s defense turned one interception into a touchdown, helping the team hold on for a two point victory at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
Quick Answer
Washington beat Seattle 33–31 on September 27, 2026. Sam Darnold passed for 379 yards and four touchdowns, and Jaxon Smith Njigba recorded 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes without an interception, while Washington’s defense scored on a 50 yard interception return.
Why Do People Misread Seahawks vs Commanders Match Stats?
Fans sometimes focus only on total yards or quarterback passing numbers when judging an NFL game. However, a team’s final result depends on several factors, including turnovers, touchdowns, rushing production and defensive plays.
In this matchup, Seattle gained 437 total yards, but Washington won because it protected the football and forced three turnovers. The Seahawks also struggled to run the ball, finishing with only 44 rushing yards.
Three important terms help explain the box score:
- Total yards: The combined offensive yards gained through passing and rushing.
- Turnovers: Lost possessions caused by interceptions or fumbles.
- Defensive touchdown: A touchdown scored by the defense, such as an interception returned to the end zone.
Seattle Seahawks Player Stats
Seattle scored 31 points but fell two points short of Washington. Its passing offense produced four touchdowns, although turnovers prevented the team from turning its yardage advantage into a victory.
Sam Darnold Quarterback
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 31/45 |
| Passing yards | 379 |
| Passing touchdowns | 4 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Passer rating | 105.7 |
Darnold delivered a high-volume passing performance, throwing for 379 yards and four touchdowns. However he also threw two interceptions. Those mistakes contributed to Seattle’s three total turnovers.
Jaxon Smith Njigba Wide Receiver
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 10 |
| Targets | 14 |
| Receiving yards | 128 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 2 |
| Longest reception | 26 yards |
Smith-Njigba was Seattle’s leading receiver. He caught 10 of his 14 targets and scored twice, giving the Seahawks a major boost through the air.
AJ Barner Tight End
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 5 |
| Receiving yards | 69 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
Barner caught five passes for 69 yards. His receiving production helped Seattle move the ball, particularly when the offense needed options beyond its wide receivers.
Cooper Kupp Wide Receiver
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 4 |
| Receiving yards | 46 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
Kupp caught four passes for 46 yards and one touchdown. His score contributed to Seattle’s four passing touchdowns.
Seattle’s Rushing Performance
Seattle’s running game was limited by Washington’s defense. The Seahawks finished with just 44 rushing yards as a team.
| Player | Rushing attempts | Rushing yards |
|---|---|---|
| Jadarian Price | 5 | 15 |
| Emanuel Wilson | 9 | 14 |
| George Holani | 3 | 10 |
| Sam Darnold | 1 | 5 |
The Seahawks had much greater success passing than rushing. Their 379 passing yards were a major part of their 437 total net yards.
Washington Commanders Player Stats
Washington scored 33 points and produced a more balanced result through passing, rushing, and defensive plays. The Commanders also avoided turnovers, giving Seattle fewer extra opportunities to take control.
Marcus Mariota Quarterback
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 19/31 |
| Passing yards | 183 |
| Passing touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer rating | 110.0 |
Mariota stepped in at quarterback and threw three touchdown passes without an interception. Although his passing yardage was lower than Darnold’s, his ability to protect the football was important to Washington’s victory.
Terry McLaurin Wide Receiver
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 6 |
| Receiving yards | 77 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
McLaurin led Washington’s receivers with 77 yards. He caught six passes and scored one touchdown, providing Mariota with a dependable option in the passing game.
Treylon Burks Wide Receiver
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 2 |
| Receiving yards | 13 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
Burks recorded two catches for 13 yards, including a touchdown reception. His score was valuable even though his total receiving yardage was modest.
Stefon Diggs Wide Receiver
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 4 |
| Receiving yards | 33 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 0 |
Diggs contributed four receptions for 33 yards. His catches helped Washington maintain its passing attack and spread the ball among several receivers.
Rachaad White Running Back
| Statistic | Result |
|---|---|
| Rushing attempts | 8 |
| Rushing yards | 35 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 0 |
| Receptions | 1 |
| Receiving touchdowns | 1 |
White gained 35 yards on the ground and also scored on a receiving play. His contribution gave Washington another way to reach the end zone beyond its wide receivers.
Kain Medrano Linebacker
Medrano made one of the game’s most important defensive plays. He recorded an interception and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown. The score helped Washington build a late advantage and became a defining moment in the close finish.
Seahawks vs Commanders Player Stats Comparison
| Category | Seattle Seahawks | Washington Commanders |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 31 | 33 |
| Total net yards | 437 | 258 |
| Passing yards | 393 | 176 |
| Rushing yards | 44 | 82 |
| Quarterback passing touchdowns | 4 | 3 |
| Quarterback interceptions | 2 | 0 |
| Team turnovers | 3 | 0 |
| Leading receiver | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Terry McLaurin |
| Leading receiver’s yards | 128 | 77 |
| Leading receiver’s touchdowns | 2 | 1 |
Seattle recorded more total yards and passing yards, but Washington gained more rushing yards and avoided turnovers. The comparison shows why total yardage is only one part of evaluating an NFL game.
When Should You Use Each Player Statistic?
Different box-score categories measure different aspects of football performance.
- Passing yards: Use this to compare quarterbacks’ passing production.
- Passing touchdowns: Use this to count touchdown passes thrown by a quarterback.
- Completion percentage: Use this to measure the percentage of pass attempts completed.
- Rushing yards: Use this to compare players’ ground game production.
- Receptions: Use this to count completed catches.
- Receiving yards: Use this to measure a receiver’s yardage on completed passes.
- Interceptions: Use this to identify passes caught by the opposing defense.
- Turnovers: Use this to measure lost possessions caused by interceptions and lost fumbles.
- Total net yards: Use this to compare overall offensive production after relevant yardage losses.
- Defensive touchdowns: Use this to identify scoring plays made by defensive players.
10 Examples of How to Read the Match Player Stats
- Darnold threw for 379 yards. This measures his passing production, not the Seahawks’ total offensive yards.
- Darnold threw four touchdown passes. Four of his completed passes led directly to touchdowns.
- Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes. He recorded 10 receptions from 14 targets.
- Smith-Njigba gained 128 receiving yards. He was Seattle’s leading receiver by yardage.
- Mariota threw three touchdowns. His passing helped Washington score 33 points.
- Mariota had no interceptions. He did not throw a pass that was caught by Seattle’s defense.
- McLaurin gained 77 receiving yards. He led Washington’s receivers in yardage.
- Seattle recorded 44 rushing yards. Washington’s defense limited the Seahawks’ ground game.
- Washington recorded 82 rushing yards. The Commanders gained more yards on the ground than Seattle.
- Medrano returned an interception for a touchdown. His defensive score helped Washington secure the 33–31 victory.
Common Mistakes When Reading NFL Box Scores
Confusing passing yards with total yards
Passing yards describe production through the air. Total net yards include passing and rushing production, with relevant losses accounted for.
Assuming the team with more yards always wins
Seattle gained 437 total yards, compared with Washington’s 258, but the Commanders won. Turnovers and scoring efficiency can matter more than raw yardage.
Confusing targets with receptions
A target is a pass directed toward a receiver. A reception is a completed catch. Smith-Njigba had 14 targets and 10 receptions.
Ignoring defensive touchdowns
A defensive touchdown can change a game’s outcome. Medrano’s 50-yard interception return gave Washington a crucial score that did not come from its offense.
Treating an interception and a fumble as the same event
An interception occurs when a defensive player catches an opponent’s pass. A fumble occurs when a player loses possession of the ball during a play. Both can cause turnovers.
Memory Trick for Understanding NFL Player Stats
Remember “Pass, Run, Catch, Protect.”
- Pass: Check completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
- Run: Check rushing attempts and rushing yards.
- Catch: Check receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.
- Protect: Check turnovers and whether a team keeps possession of the ball.
This simple method makes it easier for beginners to understand why a team can gain more yards but still lose.
American vs British English: Understanding NFL Terms
NFL statistics use American football terminology. In British English, the word “football” generally refers to soccer, so some terms have different meanings or are used less often.
| Term | Meaning in American football |
|---|---|
| Football | The sport played by NFL teams |
| Quarterback | The player who directs the offense and usually throws passes |
| Touchdown | A scoring play worth six points before an extra-point attempt |
| Yard | A unit of distance used on the playing field |
| Receiver | An offensive player who catches passes |
| Rushing | Advancing the ball by running with it |
| Interception | A pass caught by a player on the opposing team |
Understanding these terms helps readers interpret NFL player statistics accurately, especially when comparing American football with other sports.
Similar Stats to Explore
Readers interested in the Seahawks vs Commanders box score may also want to compare:
- Quarterback performance: Passing yards, completion percentage, touchdowns, and interceptions.
- Receiving performance: Targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdown catches.
- Rushing performance: Carries, rushing yards, and average yards per carry.
- Defensive performance: Tackles, sacks, interceptions, and defensive touchdowns.
- Team performance: Total yards, turnovers, time of possession, and scoring by quarter.
- Head-to-head history: Previous Seahawks–Commanders results and player performances.
Final Verdict: What Decided Seahawks vs Commanders?
The Washington Commanders won 33–31 because they made important plays and protected possession better than Seattle. Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes without an interception, Terry McLaurin led Washington in receiving yards, and Kain Medrano returned an interception for a touchdown.
The Seahawks produced more total yards, led by Sam Darnold’s 379 passing yards and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns. However, Seattle’s three turnovers and limited rushing production helped Washington secure the narrow win.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Seahawks vs Washington Commanders game?
The Washington Commanders won 33–31 on September 27, 2026, at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.
2. How many passing yards did Sam Darnold record?
Sam Darnold threw for 379 yards, completing 31 of 45 pass attempts. He recorded four touchdown passes and two interceptions.
3. How many touchdowns did Marcus Mariota throw?
Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes for Washington. He completed 19 of 31 attempts for 183 yards without an interception.
4. Who was Seattle’s leading receiver?
Jaxon Smith Njigba led Seattle with 10 receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
5. Who led Washington in receiving yards?
Terry McLaurin led the Commanders with six receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown.
6. How many total yards did the Seahawks and Commanders gain?
Seattle recorded 437 total net yards, while Washington recorded 258. Washington still won 33–31.
7. Who scored the defensive touchdown?
Washington linebacker Kain Medrano returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown.
8. How many turnovers did each team commit?
Seattle committed three turnovers, while Washington committed none. This difference was a major factor in the result.
Remember This
- Final score: Washington Commanders 33, Seattle Seahawks 31.
- Top passer: Sam Darnold, with 379 passing yards and four touchdowns.
- Top Seattle receiver: Jaxon Smith Njigba, with 128 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
- Washington quarterback: Marcus Mariota, with 183 passing yards and three touchdowns.
- Key defensive play: Kain Medrano’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- Major difference: Seattle gained more yards, but Washington committed no turnovers.
Conclusion
The Seahawks vs Washington Commanders game on September 27, 2026, was a close contest decided by crucial plays and turnovers. Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith Njigba delivered big passing and receiving numbers for Seattle, but the Seahawks could not turn their yardage advantage into a win.
Washington relied on Mariota’s three touchdown passes, McLaurin’s receiving production, and a game changing defensive touchdown from Medrano. The final 33–31 result shows why player stats are most useful when considered alongside turnovers, rushing production and scoring plays.
