Mariota, Medrano pick-six — Commanders edge Seahawks 33-31

Final — Washington Commanders 33, Seattle Seahawks 31

The Commanders won their home opener 33-31 over the Seahawks on Sunday, Sep. 27 at Northwest Stadium — a back-and-forth afternoon that ended with Washington converting late third downs to run out the clock (ESPN / AP).

Marcus Mariota, starting in place of injured Jayden Daniels, threw three touchdown passes: Rachaad White (6 yards), Treylon Burks (11), and Terry McLaurin (30). Seattle kept answering through Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba until Kain Medrano ripped a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown in the fourth (PAT failed) that put Washington ahead 33-24. Cooper Kupp’s 7-yard catch made it 31-33, but the Burgundy and Gold closed the door.

Locked scoring (ESPN)

| Q | Score | Play |

| --- | --- | --- |

| 1 | 0-7 | Rachaad White 6-yd pass from Marcus Mariota |

| 2 | 7-7 | Jaxon Smith-Njigba 1-yd pass from Sam Darnold |

| 2 | 7-14 | Treylon Burks 11-yd pass from Mariota |

| 2 | 10-14 | Jason Myers 57 FG |

| 2 | 10-17 | Drew Stevens 57 FG |

| 3 | 10-24 | Terry McLaurin 30-yd pass from Mariota |

| 3 | 17-24 | Eric Saubert 13-yd pass from Darnold |

| 4 | 24-24 | Smith-Njigba 11-yd pass from Darnold |

| 4 | 24-27 | Stevens 36 FG |

| 4 | 24-33 | Kain Medrano 50-yd interception return (PAT failed) |

| 4 | 31-33 | Cooper Kupp 7-yd pass from Darnold |

Leaders

• Mariota — 19/31, 183 yards, 3 TD
• Darnold — 31/45, 379 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
• Smith-Njigba — 10 catches, 128 yards, 2 TD
• McLaurin — 6 catches, 77 yards, 1 TD

Record / streak

Washington 1-2 (1-0 home). Seattle 2-1 — first loss since November (AP).

Clock seal

Washington converted late third downs (White run; Mariota scramble) to run out the clock (AP).

Game center: /game — Commanders board.

Sport DMV read

Northwest Stadium finally had a home win to cheer — Mariota steady, Medrano the dagger, McLaurin still the deep threat. Next watch: how the offense travels to London with Daniels still sidelined and a thin supporting cast around Mariota. One win does not fix 1-2, but it stops the early-season slide cold.

The Commanders page is the hub.

*Sunday evening desk, Sep. 27, 2026. Analysis refresh. Box from ESPN; streak note from AP.*