Jayden Daniels will start for the Washington Commanders in Week 9, giving the Seattle Seahawks clarity on the quarterback it will face during Sunday Night Football. Washington announced the decision just days ahead of the matchup.
Why the Decision Matters for Seattle
Danielsâ mobility changes first-down math and red-zone leverage. Heâs being used on designed runs and is adding yards as a scramblerâpublic tracking shows 44 designed runs and 180 scramble yards so farâso edge discipline and second-level vision are mandatory, according to Pro Football Focus.
Seattle enters with one of the NFLâs best run defenses, the backbone of a âmake the QB win from the pocketâ plan. TeamRankings lists the Seahawks No. 1 in opponent yards per rush (3.3), while their overall rush yards allowed per game is No. 1 in the NFL currently at 75.7, supporting a strategy built on winning early downs.Â
The difference between the second-year Daniels and veteran journeyman Marcus Mariota is notable too. The Commanders are 1-3 in games where Mariota has appeared and are 2-2 in Danielsâ games where he finishes the full game. Daniels also generates significantly more yardage per game than Mariota this season. Daniel throws for 206 yards and rushes for another 42 on average. Mariotaâs combined throwing and rushing total sits at about 190, nearly a 50 yard difference, which could the difference between one more scoring drive for the Commanders offense.
The Commanders obviously prefer fielding their Pro Bowl quarterback rather than asking their backup to take on a tenacious Seattle defense.Â
The Four-Man Rush That Fits This Matchup
GettyNext Gen Stats via Seahawks.com: fifth-highest pressure rate with four rushers.
Seattle doesnât need to blitz to affect quarterbacks. The teamâs site reports the Seahawks generate the 5th-highest pressure rate (36.1%) when rushing four and blitz at the 3rd-lowest rate (19.0%), yet still post a 51.7% pressure rate when they do bring extra rushers. Next Gen Stats data shared by the club also highlighted a game with 40% pressure on four or fewer, underscoring how a connected, âcageâ rush can squeeze escape lanes without sacrificing coverage.Â
Against a quarterback like Daniels, that profile is ideal. Keep rush lanes level, close the B-gap escape, and force throws from set launch points rather than letting him win on the move. The numbers above justify a patient approachâfour-man heat on early downs and a situational spy on third-and-medium or in the red zone.
First-Down Control & Tackling in Space
GettyWith McLaurin sidelined, Seattle can squeeze short throws and rally to tackle
Seattleâs league-best run suppression puts Washington behind the sticks, trimming the RPO/keeper menu that amplifies Danielsâ legs. When first-down gains are limited, the Commanders must sustain long drivesâhistorically a tougher ask for young passers. The Seahawksâ top ranking in opponent yards per rush and rush yards allowed aligns with the âwin early, hunt lateâ script.
Tackling the checkdown is the complementary piece. If Washington leans on quick game to slow the rush, Seattle has to rally and tackle to keep second-and-7 from becoming third-and-1. That keeps the four-man rush on schedule and reduces scramble damage.
Bottom Line
The facts support the plan. Washington says Jayden Daniels is starting; he adds real rushing value; and Seattle brings a top-of-league run defense plus a high-efficiency four-man rush. And, Washington will be without top receiver Terry McLaren. If the Seahawks keep rush lanes connected, win first down, and reserve the spy for money downs, the matchup tilts toward a disciplined defense designed to mute quarterback run games without exposing the back end.
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