Seattle Seahawks Tied With Washington Commanders at Halftime

The Seattle Seahawks found themselves in a battle with the Washington Commanders headed into halftime on Sunday.

The Seattle Seahawks hosted the Washington Commanders on Sunday in need of a major bounce-back game following last week's embarrassing blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

And after one half at Lumen Field on Sunday, Seattle is still having its challenges against teams from the DMV area, as the Seahawks were tied with the Commanders 9-9 headed into halftime.

For the second straight week, the Seahawks were stagnant on offense. The Commanders were equally as stale, as Washington went three-and-out on three straight possessions in the second quarter. The Commanders also had just five rushes for 10 yards in the first half while picking up just five first downs.

But the difference through the first two quarters for Washington was second-year quarterback Sam Howell, who found running back Brian Robinson Jr. for a 51-yard touchdown on the fourth play of the game. Howell went 15 of 21 passing for 133 yards and one touchdown in the first half.

This was about right on par with Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who finished the first half 16 of 27 passing for 152 yards.

Geno Smith / © Joe Nicholson, USA TODAY

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was Seattle's leading receiver in the first half. He was visibly confident and hyped to the tune of three catches for 39 yards, but the Seahawks offense didn't exactly follow suit. Seattle was hurt by a pair of offensive penalties on two different 4th and 1 situations that forced the offense to take the three points instead of punching it in.

Washington drew first blood thanks to an impressive play from Howell, who found Robinson Jr. down the sideline for a 51-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

The Seahawks answered with a field goal after a nine-play, 49-yard opening drive, but this was about the best the offense looked. Seattle added another two field goals from Jason Myers, as the offense's inability to find the end zone and some costly penalties allowed the franchise kicker to show why the Seahawks gave him a new deal this past offseason.

Seattle forced a quick three-and-out in the final two minutes, giving the offense the ball back, but they were unable to do anything with it. 

The Seahawks will receive the second-half kickoff.