Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders Preview: Bounce Back, Playoff Implications

Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Commanders Preview: Bounce Back, Playoff Implications

Fresh off their worst loss since 2017, the Seattle Seahawks welcome the Washington Commanders to Lumen Field for a Week 10 matchup on Sunday with postseason implications. 

After a 37-3 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Seahawks no longer exclusively sit atop the NFC West. Seattle (5-3) has the same record as the San Francisco 49ers, who currently own the division tiebreaker.

On the flip side, the Commanders kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a big 20-17 road win against the New England Patriots.

Seattle looks to extend it's three-game home winning streak with a bounce back game against a young Commanders team that traded away their two starting edge rushers in Montez Sweat and Chase Young. 

The Commanders are coming off a strong offensive performance in their win vs. New England. Quarterback Sam Howell finished with 325 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. His performance was highlighted by a deep pass to Jahan Dotson who made an out-stretched grab in the end zone for a 33-yard touchdown to tie the game.

The Seahawks will look to get after Howell, who has been sacked 44 times through nine games, by far the most in the league. However, in the past two games since moving Tyler Larsen to center, the Commanders have only allowed four sacks.

Washington Football Team cornerback William Jackson III (23) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas (31) at FedExField / © Geoff Burke, USA TODAY

Seattle quarterback Geno Smith is coming off his worst game in two years as a starting quarterback. Smith completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 157 yards against the Ravens' No. 1 defense. He also lost a fumble during a sack and threw another interception, his sixth in the past four games.

Seattle's rushing attack must also rebound. Between running backs Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks had just 28 rushing yards and averaged 1.9 yards per carry on Sunday.

RECORDS: Seattle Seahawks (5-3) vs. Washington Commanders (4-5) 

ODDS: Seattle is a 6-point favorite vs. the Commanders

GAME TIME: Sunday, November 12th, 2023 at 1:25 p.m. PT

LOCATION: Lumen Field - Seattle, Washington

TV/RADIO: FOX, 100.3 FM

THE FINAL WORD: Said Smith of his Week 9 performance, "Not good enough. It sucks. We were looking forward to this matchup and I just feel like we didn't play our best football."