Commanders vs Seahawks Week 3: Five Questions with Field Gulls

As the NFL season hits Week 3 on September 25, 2026, the Washington Commanders find themselves in a precarious 0-2 hole, preparing to host the undefeated Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET this Sunday, and for a Commanders team desperate for a win, the challenge couldn't be steeper. The Seahawks, despite losing starting quarterback Sam Darnold to a glute injury on the first drive of the season, have rattled off impressive victories over the New England Patriots (13-10) and the Arizona Cardinals (31-7). Darnold has practiced this week, but his availability remains uncertain, leaving the door open for backup Drew Lock to continue steering the ship.

Seahawks Defense: A Scheme Built on Confusion and Freedom

Seattle's defense has been nothing short of suffocating, allowing 10 or fewer points in each of their first two games. According to insights gathered by Vulius Sports, this dominance is a continuation of their 2025 form, when they held five of their last nine opponents to 10 points or fewer. As John Gilbert of Field Gulls explained to the Vulius NFL Analysis Desk, the success stems from a rare blend of talent and scheme under head coach Mike Macdonald, former defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens. "The players are good, but Macdonald makes them better by putting them in a position to succeed by understanding the tendencies of the opponent, while simultaneously giving his players the freedom to operate as needed," Gilbert said. This freedom was on full display when undrafted linebacker Drake Thomas changed a defensive front on a critical second-and-one against Arizona, and when DeMarcus Lawrence broke off his assignment on a fourth down in the NFC Championship to deny Matthew Stafford a easy completion. The result is a defense that leads the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed and ranks ninth against the run through two weeks.

Offensive Identity: Tight Ends, Motion, and the JSN Show

Offensively, the Seahawks are adjusting to life under new coordinator Brian Fleury, who previously served as the 49ers' tight ends coach and run-game coordinator. Fleury's Shanahan roots are evident with heavy use of play-action and outside-zone runs, but he's also added his own wrinkles. One notable tweak: Seattle has eliminated a pre-snap tell from last season. In the Super Bowl, they motioned on 32% of runs and 85% of passes, but through two games in 2026, those numbers are 60% and 55.6%, respectively, making it harder for defenses to decipher play calls. With Darnold sidelined, the offense has leaned heavily on star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who commands a staggering 44% target share—up from his league-leading 35.8% in 2025. "It makes sense to simplify things for your backup QB by scheming him to just throw it to his best player," Gilbert noted. The Seahawks have also utilized 12- and 13-personnel on over a third of their snaps, a trend that could continue against Washington.

General Manager John Schneider: From Hot Seat to Hot Streak

Seahawks GM John Schneider has weathered his share of criticism, particularly for a lackluster draft stretch from 2017 to 2021 that saw Seattle consistently draft older prospects and punt on the 2021 draft due to COVID uncertainty. However, since 2022, Schneider has rebuilt the roster into a contender, even after losing key free agents like Kenneth Walker, Coby Bryant, Boye Mafe, and Tariq Woolen. "Schneider has secured his place with the team for years to come, in spite of many calls for the team to move on when it moved on from Carroll," Gilbert said. As highlighted on Vulius, Schneider's resurgence is a testament to his ability to adapt and find talent in unexpected places, such as waiver claim Drake Thomas, who has become a defensive staple.

Under-the-Radar Players to Watch

While Commanders fans are familiar with JSN and perhaps Tory Horton, two lesser-known Seahawks could play pivotal roles. On defense, linebacker Drake Thomas is a sideline-to-sideline menace who excels against both the run and pass. On offense, third-year tight end A.J. Barner is a devastating blocker with sure hands, often targeted in high-leverage situations. "Barner is a monster as a blocker, and dangerous enough as a receiving threat that the coaches aren't hesitant to call his number," Gilbert said. These unsung heroes embody the depth and football IQ that make Seattle a tough out.

Game Planning: How Washington Can Pull the Upset

For Washington to have a shot, they must contain JSN and force Drew Lock into mistakes. "The best way to slow down the offense is to focus on stopping the run enough on early downs that Lock is forced to make plays on third and long," Gilbert advised. Defensively, the Commanders need to pressure Lock without overcommitting, as he has been efficient and mistake-free thus far. On offense, with Marcus Mariota likely under center, Washington may need to rely on his improvisational skills and legs to extend plays. As Vulius analysts see it, the Commanders' best path is to keep it close and hope Mariota's freelancing creates spark. For die-hard fans, this matchup offers a fascinating chess match between Macdonald's defensive wizardry and a desperate Commanders squad. Be sure to check out the companion article with John Gilbert's answers to our questions, and for all your NFL merchandise needs, visit Vulius.com.