LANDOVER, Md. — At halftime of the Seattle Seahawks’ blowout win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday night time at Northwest Stadium, Sam Darnold had 4 landing passes and 0 incompletions, having linked on all 16 of his makes an attempt.
He did not comprehend it till somebody instructed him — a no-no in soccer akin to speaking a few no-hitter in baseball.
“Clearly, I can really feel the stream of the sport and perceive that we’re doing actually good on offense, however no I did not know that I hadn’t thrown an incompletion,” Darnold mentioned after the 38-14 victory. “It was fairly cool. Somebody at halftime mentioned to me that I hadn’t thrown an incompletion, so I feel he is in charge for throwing an incompletion within the second half.”
By the point Darnold missed for the primary time, the Seahawks have been nicely on their technique to a win that improved their report to 6-2 — and boosted their quarterback’s MVP odds within the course of.
“Not going to say who it was,” Darnold mentioned with a smile, refusing to surrender the wrongdoer.
Darnold completed 21-of-24 for 330 yards, 4 touchdowns and one interception earlier than he was pulled in favor of Drew Lock with simply over seven minutes left. That was adequate for a Whole QBR of 97.8, the very best in any recreation of his eight-year NFL profession.
In line with ESPN Analysis, there have been 4 situations of a participant recording a QBR of 97 or increased in a recreation this season, and Darnold has three of them. The others are his performances towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 (97.4) and the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 (97.3). Darnold’s three such video games are tied with Tom Brady (2007), Tony Romo (2014) and Lamar Jackson (2019) for essentially the most by a beginning quarterback in a season since ESPN started monitoring Whole QBR in 2006.
“Sam’s execution proper now, he is simply ridiculous,” coach Mike Macdonald mentioned. “All of the issues we have talked about that he is been doing, however decisive, making good selections, our receivers are doing an ideal job, I believed the safety was actually good.”
The Seahawks have been short-handed at receiver, with Cooper Kupp, Jake Bobo and Dareke Younger inactive. It did not appear to be it, although, with Darnold throwing landing passes on every of Seattle’s first 4 possessions. He linked twice with rookie Tory Horton — who assumed Kupp’s function of No. 2 receiver — earlier than hitting rookie tight finish Elijah Arroyo and veteran receiver Cody White.
Darnold’s 87.5% completion charge was the second highest in a recreation in Seahawks historical past (minimal 10 makes an attempt), behind solely Russel Wilson’s 88.6% in a 2020. By finishing his first 17 passes, Darnold tied the franchise report that Warren Moon set in 1998, which was additionally to start the sport.
“Consider me after I say it, I am not stunned,” Macdonald mentioned of Darnold’s completion streak. “We watch Sam day-after-day and the way he operates, and he is the identical man day-after-day, which is what you like about him. We’re chasing it. The blokes are decided, and it is enjoyable to observe. When the crew comes collectively, that is the kind of stuff you are able to do while you play the correct method, you put together the correct method. Our coaches deserve lots of credit score. I believed [offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak] known as an ideal recreation.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba prolonged his NFL lead in receiving with 129 yards on eight catches, marking the sixth time in eight video games he has topped triple digits.
Smith-Njigba was requested concerning the etiquette noticed with a quarterback who’s off to an ideal begin.
“We keep away from him somewhat bit and simply let him do his factor,” he mentioned. “I feel any person may’ve broke the information to him, however yeah, actually, I did not know. We have been simply in such a stream and simply on the market dealing, so it was nice to see that.”
In line with ESPN Analysis, Darnold started the day with 60-to-1 odds to win MVP, per ESPN BET. These odds improved to 18-to-1 by the tip of the sport.
With their win, the Seahawks are 4-0 on the highway this season and 11-1 for the reason that begin of final season.
Seattle misplaced center linebacker Ernest Jones IV to a knee harm and cornerback Josh Jobe to a concussion within the second quarter. Macdonald mentioned of Jones’ harm, “It is not season ending, however we’ll see the way it goes.”
