The Seattle Seahawks (5-2) will visit the Washington Commanders (3-5) on Sunday Night Football in NFL Week 9, with Seattle favored by 2.5 points. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels returns from a hamstring injury, but wide receiver Terry McLaurin is out with a quad issue. The Seahawks aim to extend their strong road record against a Commanders team on a three-game losing streak.
The matchup at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md., kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET. Seattle, tied for first in the NFC West, enters with a 3-0 road record and has covered the spread in all three away games this season. Washington sits third in the NFC East and holds a 2-1 straight-up and against-the-spread mark at home, but recent form has been tough, including a 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has thrived in his first seven games with the team, completing 68.2% of his passes for 1,754 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions, earning a 109.2 passer rating. He recently threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns in a 38-35 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 213 yards with one touchdown in a 27-19 win over the Houston Texans. Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the offense with 50 receptions for 819 yards and four touchdowns, including eight catches for 123 yards and a score against the Texans. However, Seattle's rushing attack ranks near the bottom of the league at 3.7 yards per carry.
For Washington, Daniels returns after sitting out last week, having completed 61% of his passes for 1,031 yards, eight touchdowns, and added 211 rushing yards with one score in five games. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has emerged as the lead back, rushing 82 times for 402 yards and four touchdowns, highlighted by 111 yards and two scores in a 27-10 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Wide receiver Deebo Samuel has 37 receptions for 326 yards and three touchdowns, plus a rushing score, though his production dipped to 26 yards over the last two games played. The Commanders defense has struggled lately, allowing 24 or more points and 350 or more yards in six of their last seven games.
Betting odds list Seattle as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 48.5 points. The all-time series favors Washington 13-10, but Seattle has won four of the last six meetings. Both teams will wear throwback jerseys, and the Commanders will retire Hall of Famer Art Monk's No. 81 jersey pregame. Washington's injury list includes season-ending issues for running back Austin Ekeler (Achilles) and defensive ends Deatrich Wise Jr. (quad) and Dorance Armstrong (knee), while left tackle Laremy Tunsil's hamstring status is uncertain.
