The Seattle Seahawks saw their 12-game winning streak come to an end Sunday in a closely contested, rain-soaked 33-31 loss to the Washington Commanders at their suburban Maryland stadium. Entering the game with a 16-2 road record under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks faced mounting expectations but struggled to maintain their dominant form against an opponent they had previously defeated handily.
The defeat underscored challenges for the Seahawks, who are navigating a roster in transition this season. Injuries and personnel changes have altered the makeup of key units, particularly on defense. Star safety Julian Love suffered a midweek injury that forced rookie AJ Finley into his first career start. Finley was unable to contain Washington’s top receivers, allowing an 11-yard touchdown to Treylon Burks and contributing to pivotal defensive breakdowns that led to a late fourth-quarter field goal for the Commanders.
Macdonald acknowledged the result was not what the team desired but emphasized a comprehensive review of preparation, travel, and game planning as part of the path forward. “It’s our job as coaches … to look at everything operationally and attack the heck out of it and move forward,” he said after the game.
Seattle’s offense showed flashes of strength but was ultimately hampered by turnovers and inefficiency in critical moments. Quarterback Sam Darnold, recently returning from a glute injury, completed 31 of 45 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns but threw two costly interceptions. Most notably, a late-game interception returned for a 50-yard touchdown by linebacker Kain Medrano ended a promising Seahawks drive that might have secured a walk-off victory.
The running game continued to struggle, producing just 44 yards on 18 carries and stalling repeatedly near the goal line. Rookie running back Jadarian Price, stepping in for departed veteran Kenneth Walker III, was stripped of the ball for the second consecutive week, contributing to a total of three turnovers that Washington converted into 21 points.
Defensively, the Seahawks showed vulnerabilities not present in previous seasons. Key departures from the secondary combined with injuries have tested depth. Macdonald’s unit, once known for creating turnovers and stifling opponents, allowed crucial conversions in the final moments, enabling the Commanders to seal the win.
Despite the setback, Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence expressed confidence in the team’s resilience and motivation. “The fire ain’t going nowhere. We’re ‘The Dark Side’ for a reason,” he said.
Seattle owner Vinod Khosla, introduced last month with ambitions to extend the winning streak and capture another Super Bowl, faces the challenge of guiding a team competing amid significant changes. While the loss serves as a reminder of the NFL’s unpredictability and the difficulty of sustaining success, the Seahawks remain optimistic about addressing their issues and regaining momentum in the season ahead.