Instant analysis: Commanders hang on to beat Seahawks for first win

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LANDOVER — If there was ever a recipe for Washington to pull off an upset without franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders followed it precisely Sunday.

They generated three turnovers in Seattle territory. Turned those into touchdowns. Never gave the ball away.

And it was just enough for Washington to get its first win, holding on thanks to a gutsy run from backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to keep the clock moving toward a 33-31 victory.

The Commanders squandered a 14-point lead in the second half, but Mariota led a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter.

When the Seahawks tried to answer, linebacker Kain Medrano intercepted Sam Darnold’s pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Here are three instant takeaways from Washington’s unexpected win over the defending champion Seahawks, who had not lost since November.

Turnovers fix everything

It was not a great day for the Commanders’ pass rush. The secondary, which had strong moments covering Jaxon Smith-Njigba, had late drives in which it struggled to slow Darnold’s momentum.

Is anyone going to remember either of those issues from this game? No way.

A defense’s ability to generate turnovers is its most important quality, especially a unit with inherent roster flaws like Washington’s has. It takes outstanding individual efforts such as Tim Settle Jr.’s: After covering up Jadarian Price’s first-quarter fumble, he stuck a hand out to deflect a Darnold pass that wound up in Sonny Styles’ hands for a pick.

The Commanders defense wasn’t consistent but opportunistic. Odafe Oweh’s pressure on Darnold on a key fourth-quarter drive disrupted the quarterback just enough that he didn’t see Medrano sweeping over to jump his route.

Most important, Washington made the most of its takeaways. All three became touchdowns, highlighted by Medrano’s 50-yard dash for a score that had Northwest Stadium rocking. A sound defense is great. One that plays the hand it is dealt to great success can be even better on any given Sunday.

Mariota’s mindset

Mariota’s approach to playing quarterback has changed over the last few years. He views himself as more of a point guard now, getting the ball out quickly and letting his playmakers do the rest.

“They tackle the guy with the ball, so the more that I can get it out of my hand, by all means,” he joked during the week.

That is exactly the way he played in his first start of the season. He rarely pushed the ball more than 10 yards down the field — only occasionally looking deep to Terry McLaurin when he was wide open. The only time Mariota really tested Seattle’s defense was on a jump pass to McLaurin that ended in a 30-yard touchdown.

It was a plodding day on offense, no doubt. At one point, Washington was 1-for-11 on third downs.

But, say what you will about that formula, it worked. Washington moved the ball as Mariota found nine receivers. The Commanders’ first three scores were thanks to Mariota hitting Treylon Burks, running back Rachaad White and McLaurin.

Mariota finished 19-of-30 for 189 yards. It wasn’t special, but it showed why Washington held on to him this offseason. It needed a steady hand to fill in for the oft-injured Daniels. And he kept the Commanders in a winnable game at home.

Defending in Styles

Styles faced criticism early in his rookie year, but he was responsible for Washington’s first and second turnovers of the season.

He punched the ball out from Price in the first quarter to set up the Commanders’ first touchdown.

He also had the interception on a tipped pass that led to the McLaurin touchdown.

Prior to the game, defensive coordinator Daronte Jones said his biggest surprise of the season was the lack of turnovers his unit generated. Washington was blown out in Dallas as the defense allowed 37 points and never applied pressure.

But this week the turnovers kept Washington in the game and led to 20 points.

Styles also deserved credit for a late stop in the first half, when the Seahawks threatened to tie the game. He was in coverage deep down the field on Price and broke up Darnold’s pass.

The coverage and turnovers made Styles look like the player Washington drafted seventh overall from Ohio State.