No Jayden Daniels? No problem for the Commanders today, as backup quarterback Marcus Mariota turned in an incredible effort against the stout Seahawks’ defense, leading Washington to a 33-31 win.
Mariota sealed the Commanders’ win with a nine-yard run on third-and-7 with 1:15 remaining, and that was just the last of a number of spectacular plays by Mariota, who played very well against this Seahawks defense that has shut down so many quarterbacks over the last two years.
The 32-year-old Mariota finished 19 of 31 for 183 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold returned from his Week 1 injury and completed 31 of 45 passes for 379 yards, with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Jaxon Smith-Njigba was, as usual, Darnold’s favorite receiver, with 10 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns.
Today’s game serves to show just how unpredictable the NFL is, especially early in the season, when there is still so much we don’t know about every team. The Seahawks opened the season 2-0 and looking like perhaps the best team in the NFL. The Commanders entered today 0-2 and, without Daniels, looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL. But that’s why they play the games.