Mariota and Medrano lift Commanders to 33-31 win over Seahawks

Washington earned its first victory of the season on Sunday, beating Seattle 33-31 at Northwest Stadium as Marcus Mariota threw three touchdown passes. The Commanders improved to 1-2 and the Seahawks fell to 2-1. According to the Associated Press, the result ended Seattle's 12-game winning streak, which included its run to the Super Bowl title.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8mZDG_M7cs

ESPN's final game statistics showed Mariota completing 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards without an interception. His scoring throws went to Rachaad White from six yards, Treylon Burks from 11 and Terry McLaurin from 30. McLaurin led Washington's receivers with six catches for 77 yards, while the Commanders finished without a turnover against Seattle's three.

Washington led 17-10 at halftime after Drew Stevens matched Jason Myers with a 57-yard field goal in the closing minute. McLaurin's touchdown extended that advantage to 24-10 in the third quarter. Seattle responded through Eric Saubert's 13-yard touchdown reception and an 11-yard scoring catch by Jaxon Smith-Njigba, drawing level with 11:53 remaining in the fourth.

Stevens restored Washington's lead with a 36-yard field goal before Kain Medrano intercepted Sam Darnold and returned the ball 50 yards for a touchdown with 3:57 left. AP reported that a celebration penalty pushed back the extra-point attempt, which Stevens missed. Seattle still had time to respond, and Darnold found Cooper Kupp for a seven-yard touchdown with 2:51 remaining.

The Commanders then kept possession to finish the game. According to AP, they had converted only one of 11 third downs before their final drive, but White ran 19 yards on third-and-nine and Mariota gained nine on third-and-seven. Those two conversions prevented Seattle from getting another opportunity to overturn the two-point deficit.

Darnold finished with 379 passing yards and four touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two scores. Seattle gained 437 total yards to Washington's 258 and recorded 28 first downs to 17, yet its greater offensive production was not enough to overcome the turnover deficit and Washington's late possession.