Seattle controlled most of the box score. Three giveaways turned into 21 Washington points and flipped the game.
Seattle outgained Washington by 179 yards, produced 11 more first downs and averaged 2.8 more yards per play. The Seahawks still lost because all three giveaways became Commanders touchdowns.
Jadarian Price's first-quarter fumble created a short field. Sam Darnold's tipped third-quarter interception led to another touchdown. Then Kain Medrano returned Darnold's fourth-quarter interception 50 yards for the score that ultimately separated the teams.
Washington scored three touchdowns after Seattle turnovers.
31-of-45, 379 yards and four touchdowns. The two interceptions were costly, but the passing offense moved the ball all afternoon.
Another 100-yard game and two more touchdowns. He now has six receiving touchdowns through three games.
Washington averaged only 4.0 yards per play. Short fields and sudden-change situations did the damage.
The most important number on the season is ultimately the one in the win column, and Seattle is 2-1 instead of 3-0. That matters.
But this did not look like a team getting pushed around. Seattle lost by two while outgaining Washington 437-258, winning first downs 28-17 and averaging 6.8 yards per play to Washington's 4.0. The game swung on three giveaways, and Washington turned every one of them into a touchdown.
You cannot guarantee a different result by simply deleting one turnover, because the rest of the game would change too. But in a two-point loss, protecting the ball even once more very plausibly changes the outcome. That makes this a painful loss with a very fixable lesson, not evidence that the first two weeks were fake.
The 12-game winning streak is over, but Seattle still owns a winning record through three.
75 points scored, 50 allowed.
Seattle has outgained its opponents by 417 yards through three games.
Seattle's offense versus what its defense has allowed.
Seattle has sustained more offense than its opponents across the season.
Seattle's defense has allowed a 26.8% conversion rate through three games.
Season totals from NFL.com team stats, checked after Week 3.
Open the original Week 3 Game Prep Sheet. The pregame page stays intact as the receipt.
Seattle threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns. Darnold's mobility looked fine and the offense generated 437 total yards. The downside was obvious: two second-half interceptions.
Ten catches, 128 yards and two scores. Washington devoted attention to him and Seattle still found ways to get him the ball in the biggest moments.
The official box score is already live, but exact 21/13 personnel rates need snap and charting data before calling this one.
Seattle held Washington to 258 yards, but Mariota finished 19-of-31 for 183 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, then used his legs to close the game on the final drive.
This was the game. Washington won the turnover battle 3-0 and turned all three Seattle giveaways into touchdowns. Twenty-one points came directly after those mistakes.
Each week, the miss on Seattle's score and the opponent's score are added together. That weekly error carries forward all season.
Darnold's 379-yard return and four touchdown passes show what the full offense can look like.
258 yards and 4.0 per play is normally winning football. Sudden-change defense and finishing still have to be better.
Seattle's first loss is the clearest reminder possible that efficiency cannot outrun three giveaways forever.
Seattle came back from 24-10 to tie the game, then answered a late pick-six with a 66-second touchdown drive.