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 nil incompletions, having related on all 16 of his makes an attempt.
He did not realize it till somebody informed 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 stated after the 38-14 victory. “It was fairly cool. Somebody at halftime stated to me that I hadn’t thrown an incompletion, so I believe he is responsible for throwing an incompletion within the second half.”
By the point Darnold missed for the primary time, the Seahawks had been effectively on their approach to what can be a win that improved their file to 6-2 — and boosted their quarterback’s MVP odds within the course of.
“Not gonna say who it was,” Darnold stated with a smile, refusing to surrender the offender.
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 Complete QBR of 97.8, the very best in any recreation of his eight-year NFL profession.
In response to ESPN Analysis, there have been 4 cases 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 in opposition to 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 probably the most by a beginning quarterback in a season Since ESPN started monitoring Complete QBR in 2006.
“Sam’s execution proper now, he is simply ridiculous,” coach Mike Macdonald stated. “All of the issues we have talked about that he is been doing, however decisive, making good choices, our receivers are doing an amazing job, I believed the safety was actually good.”
The Seahawks had been short-handed at receiver, with Cooper Kupp, Jake Bobo and Dareke Younger all inactive. It did not appear like it, although, with Darnold throwing landing passes on every of Seattle’s first 4 possessions. He related twice with rookie Tory Horton — who assumed Kupp’s function of WR2 — earlier than hitting rookie tight finish Elijah Arroyo and veteran receiver Cody White.
Darnold’s 87.5% completion price was the second-highest in a recreation in Seahawks historical past (minimal of 10 makes an attempt), behind solely Russel Wilson’s 88.6% in a 2020. By finishing his first 17 passes, he tied the franchise file that Warren Moon set in 1998, which was additionally to start the sport.
“Consider me once I say it, I am not shocked,” Macdonald stated of Darnold’s completion streak. “We watch Sam daily and the way he operates, and he is the identical man daily, which is what you’re keen on about him. We’re chasing it. The blokes are decided and it is enjoyable to look at, When the crew comes collectively, that is the kind of stuff you are able to do once you play the correct means, you put together the correct means. Our coaches deserve a whole lot of credit score. I believed [offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak] known as an amazing 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 is topped triple digits.
Smith-Njigba was requested concerning the etiquette noticed with a quarterback who’s off to an ideal begin.
“We steer clear of him a little bit bit and simply let him do his factor,” he stated. “I believe any person may’ve broke the information to him, however yeah, actually, I did not know. We had been simply in such a stream and simply on the market dealing, so it was nice to see that.”
In response to ESPN Analysis, Darnold started the day with 60-1 odds to win MVP, per ESPN Wager. These odds had improved to 18-1 by the tip of the sport.
With their win, the Seahawks improved to 4-0 on the highway this season and 11-1 because the begin of final season.
The Seahawks misplaced center linebacker Ernest Jones IV to a knee damage and cornerback Josh Jobe to a concussion within the second quarter. Macdonald stated of Jones’ damage, “It isn’t season-ending, however we’ll see the way it goes.”