The Seattle Seahawks are now 0-1 when quarterback Sam Darnold plays most of a game. The team was 2-0 before that, with Drew Lock playing the part of QB1 (Darnold only played one series in Week 1). Does that mean Lock should replace Darnold? Of course not.
Yet, many will see such comments on social media suggesting just that. Those people likely saw one or two highlights from Darnold against the Washington Commanders in a 33-31 loss, but not the entire game. Lock playing would not have changed the outcome, and the game might not have been as close.
Did Darnold do a few things poorly? Oh, yes, but he also had to shake off some rust to get into the flow of the game and attempt to mount a comeback. Let's start there.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold needed some time to get going
By the end of the first quarter, the tone had been set for the game, even if many would not have believed it at that point. Washington was playing better, just as they did for the majority of the game. But Darnold had picked up one first down on three drives.
It is easy to forget that the quarterback hadn't played in game-type situations except for the opening drive in Week 1 since the Super Bowl. Practice is great, especially practicing against a normally elite defense, but nothing replaces game action.
One of the first three drives ended in a way that Darnold had no control over; running back Jadarian Price fumbled on the first play of the drive. And thankfully, Darnold began to play at a higher level beginning in the second quarter. Had he started better, though, perhaps the game might have gone differently.
Sam Darnold can make some terrific throws
The difference between Lock and Darnold is that while both have good arms, Darnold's ability to repeat high-velocity precision passes is better. He did so on many drives after Seattle had fallen behind 24-10. The game wasn't likely to be a blowout at that point, but Seattle had to do something quickly.
That they did. Immediately after the Commanders scored, Darnold completed all five passes on the next drive, including a touchdown pass/fumble/touchdown to tight end Eric Saubert. Three of the passes were in tight windows that some quarterbacks might not have tried, but Darnold pulled off with ease.
Two plays later, Darnold did the same thing, finding Jaxon Smith-Njigba on several throws. Even at 24-all, the game felt as if it was tilting toward the Commanders (as the game shouldn't have been so close at that point, based on raw talent alone), but having Darnold behind center gave Seattle a chance to change the narrative.
Sam Darnold throws a game-changing interception
As much faith as Sam Darnold gave, though, he took it away after the Commanders kicked a field goal on the following drive to take a lead. After getting a 26-yard completion to JSN but having a 5-yard penalty for illegal formation, Darnold made the mistake of the game.
Instead of throwing the ball into the dirt with no receiver open, Darnold tossed the ball over the middle that was an easy interception for Kain Medrano, who then returned the interception for 50 yards and a touchdown. There were less than four minutes left in the game at that point.
It was the kind of play that got Darnold in trouble earlier in his career, but he's mostly avoided for the last two-plus seasons. While the Seattle Seahawks were already behind when the interception occurred, and Seattle came back to score a touchdown on the next drive, the interception ultimately decided the outcome of the game.
Sam Darnold looked healthy
Some questions might have remained about how well Darnold could run after injuring his glute in Week 1, but he moved around just fine. He wouldn't have gone 31 of 45 for 379 yards and four touchdowns (with two interceptions) had he not been able to escape the pass rush at times.
His ability to run has always been an underrated part of his game, and he certainly stressed the Commanders' defense at times because of that. While the Seahawks lost the game, the team knows it at least has a healthy QB1 moving forward. He should be good enough to steal a victory or two, and maybe the NFC West title along with it.
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