Well, it was bound to happen sometime.
Well, it was bound to happen sometime.
I just believe many thought it would happen in Week 3.
Indeed, the Seahawks were shocked by a previously winless Washington Commanders team 33-31 on Sunday, the first loss for the Seahawks in 315 days -- or since November 16 last year when they lost on the road at the Rams.
So what can we take from this one?
Protecting the Football is paramount
It's simple math and football knowledge that if the Seahawks don't turn the ball over three times they win this game.
Especially when one is a pick six, another led to the Commanders offense scoring.
One on side, it'd be wildly unexpected for the Seahawks to lose in this way again (more on that in a minute) but, it's still an issue that needs to be cleaned up.
The Seahawks rely on forcing those key turnovers like we saw against the Patriots and Cardinals, they didn't against the Commanders.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks passes the ball against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)So, not forcing any while giving up three is so far opposite of what we usually see from this team.
I would be surprised if we see it again anytime soon, but the damage at least for one week is done.
But, while this isn't protecting the football per se, you would have liked to have seen the defense get one of the necessary 3rd down stops to have a chance to win the game late. Instead, they let the Commanders convert a 3rd and 9 and a 3rd and 7, both on the ground.
Are we worried about the run game?
The Seahawks are excited about their backfield, especially when Zach Charbonnet returns sometime in the not-so-distant future.
The Seahawks could only muster 44 yards on the ground with no single ball carrier recording over 15.
That won't do it.
What's more, Jadarian Price lost a key fumble early that would become a precursor for the kind of day the Hawks had to endure.
Now it's one game, sure, but undoubtedly the Seahawks would like to get more on the ground and not have to rely on 45 pass attempts from Sam Darnold.
To be clear, the script of the game sort of dictates things, and the Hawks did run for 162 yards against Arizona. But they also didn't clear the century mark against New England in Week 1.
So, whether it's the blocking or the running backs just getting more comfortable, something has to change before next Sunday's home game with the Chargers.
The DNA of this team is to bounce back
This could apply to the Commanders loss itself, where Seattle erased a 24-10 deficit and when all seemed lost and they trailed 33-24, they actually gave themselves a chance to win.
But for the sake of this story, I'm talking about what we saw last year.
Yes, different players, different season.
But, the Seahawks didn't lose for 315 days or 12 games for a reason.
They're built to bounce back.
Last year they lost the opener to San Francisco and won three straight. They lost to Tampa Bay, then won four in a row. After falling to the Rams on November 16, 2025, they didn't lose again in 12 tries or until this weekend at the Commanders.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 27: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on September 27, 2026 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)I would suspect that they'll bounce back next time out too.
That's not at all a knock on the Chargers, rather a celebration of what makes this team the defending Super Bowl Champs.
The things that went wrong in a game where the Commanders played pretty darn well are correctable, for the most part.
Every time the Seahawks have had to go through that test, they've come out on the other side remarkably improved.
We'll see if that holds true Sunday at 1:25 p.m. when they host the L.A. Chargers.
