Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks: Week 3 staff picks and predictions

The Washington Commanders (0-2) host the Seattle Seahawks (2-0) on Sunday from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. It’s Washington’s home opener after back-to-back NFC East road games to open the season. Unfortunately, the Commanders will be without five starters for this game, including quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders will be without others, too, as linebacker Frankie Luvu, safety Nick Cross, right guard Sam Cosmi and tight end Chig Okonkwo are all out. The Seahawks get back starting quarterback Sam Darnold for this game.

Unsurprisingly, the defending Super Bowl Champion Seahawks are big favorites in this one. Per BetMGM, Seattle is an 8.5-point favorite.

Who wins? It’s time for our Week 3 staff picks.

Bryan Manning

The weather could significantly impact this game. That’s good for the Commanders. No, that’s not saying the weather will help Washington win, but it could slow down the Darnold-to-Jaxon Smith-Njigba combination that torched the Commanders for 129 yards last November. Washington missing Sam Cosmi will hurt its running game. So will the absence of Daniels. When Daniels plays, defenses respect the Commanders’ ground game much more. If Seattle sticks with the run due to the weather, it will test Washington’s run defense, which has been good through two weeks. Has it been good because everyone decides to pass against them? Or is it legitimately good? We could find out.

The Commanders’ defense may surprise us some on Sunday. No, they aren’t stopping the Seahawks, but they may play better than expected. However, I don’t see the offense moving the ball consistently against Seattle’s top-ranked defense.

Seahawks 27, Commanders 10

Ivan Lambert

Sam Darnold returns for the Seahawks, while Jayden Daniels is out for the Commanders. Washington had five starters unable to practice all week (Jayden Daniels, Sam Cosmi, Frankie Luvu, Nick Cross, Chig Okonkwo).

The Commanders are the sixth-worst NFL defensive team currently surrendering 6.1 yards per offensive play. The Commanders’ defense is one of only three teams that haven’t forced a turnover. The Commanders’ passing defense has surrendered the most receiving touchdowns thus far, coughing up seven passing touchdowns in only two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks defense has surrendered the second-lowest point total (17) in the first two weeks, and the second-lowest yards total (428) in the first two games. One must wonder what Marcus Mariota is thinking, getting his chance to play, and he has to face the Seahawks, who are allowing an NFL-best only 3.8 yards per offensive play! They have allowed only 29 first downs, tied for third-best in the NFL.

The Seattle defense has surrendered only 249 passing yards in two games, the best in the NFL. They are the only defense to have intercepted their opposing quarterbacks four times in two weeks.

Seahawks 24, Commanders 13

Ariana Pensy

The Seahawks offense was sharp even without Sam Darnold. Receiver Jaxon-Smith Njigba picks apart every defense he plays against and will do the same to the Commanders’ secondary, which has struggled significantly throughout the first two games of the season. With injuries on both sides of the ball, including being without Jayden Daniels in this game, the Commanders don’t stand much of a chance.

Seahawks 38, Commanders 14

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders vs. Seattle Seahawks: Week 3 staff picks and predictions

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