LANDOVER, Md. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Seattle Seahawks delivered a commanding 38-14 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at FedEx Field, riding a near-perfect performance from quarterback Sam Darnold and a 24-point second-quarter explosion.

The Seahawks improved to 6-2, solidifying their position in the NFC playoff picture, while the Commanders fell to 3-6, their hopes dimming after a third consecutive loss. The outcome was a shock to prognosticators, as Interstat’s game simulator had projected a Washington win, 29-22, and the Commanders were installed as 2.5-point favorites pregame.

The game was effectively decided in a dominant stretch by Seattle that spanned the end of the first quarter and the entirety of the second. After a methodical 15-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass from Darnold to Tory Horton late in the first quarter, the Seahawks’ offense shifted into a higher gear.

The avalanche began early in the second quarter when Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels, under pressure, threw an interception to Seattle safety Ty Okada. The Seahawks capitalized swiftly, with Darnold connecting with Horton again, this time on a 25-yard deep strike down the right sideline for a touchdown.

Just over three minutes of game time later, Darnold found tight end Elijah Arroyo for a 26-yard score, pushing the lead to 21-0. After forcing a Washington punt, the Seahawks struck with their biggest play of the day. Darnold launched a 60-yard touchdown bomb to Cody White, who streaked past the Commanders’ secondary to give Seattle a 28-0 advantage.

Washington managed to get on the board just before halftime with a 1-yard touchdown run by Daniels, capping a 12-play, 80-yard drive. But Seattle answered with a clock-management masterclass, driving into field goal range in the final seconds to allow Jason Myers to convert a 41-yard kick as time expired, sending the Seahawks into the locker room with a commanding 31-7 lead.

Any hope of a Washington comeback was extinguished on Seattle’s first possession of the second half. The Seahawks engineered another long drive, this one culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by tight end AJ Barner on a direct snap, making it 38-7.

The Commanders added a consolation touchdown on a 4-yard run by Chris Rodriguez Jr. in the fourth quarter to bring the score to its final margin.

The story of the game was the surgical efficiency of Darnold. The Seahawks’ quarterback from Capistrano Beach, California, was brilliant, completing 21 of 24 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His primary target was Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who hauled in eight catches for 129 yards, consistently moving the chains. Horton finished with four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

In contrast, the Washington offense struggled to find consistency against a relentless Seattle defense. Daniels, the Commanders’ quarterback from San Bernardino, California, completed 16 of 22 passes for 153 yards and added 51 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but his second-quarter interception proved costly. Rodriguez was a bright spot for Washington, rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Tight end Zach Ertz led Commanders receivers with four catches for 46 yards.

Defensively, the Seahawks were led by linebacker Tyrice Knight, who registered 10 tackles. Drake Thomas added eight tackles and a sack. For Washington, safety Jeremy Reaves recorded a game-high nine tackles, while linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner, along with cornerback Trey Amos, each finished with seven tackles. Cornerback Mike Sainristil intercepted a pass for the Commanders.

The announced attendance was 64,197 at FedEx Field. The total points scored, 52, went under the pregame over/under line of 48.5.

The Seahawks will look to continue their winning ways when they host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday. The Commanders, seeking to halt their slide, will face the Detroit Lions at home next Sunday before traveling to Madrid for a Week 11 contest against the Miami Dolphins.