Could Commanders Home Opener Be A ‘trap Game’ For The Seahawks? - Daily Slop

The Daily Slop – 26 September 2026

Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!

Commanders links

Articles

Jayden Daniels braces for the short term; what’s next long term?

The Athletic (paywall)

By the end of Week 3, I project we will have seen 38 starting quarterbacks this season. That is one more than we saw three weeks into last year. It’s also mostly in line with each of the last five seasons. So why does this feel different?

Chicago, New York and Washington, to start.

“It was three massive markets with interesting young players,” one league source says. “And it was all bad timing. All those games were relatively popular. You have three highly famous markets, with big players, with high-visibility (television) windows. It will feel worse than it is.”

The brace Daniels will eventually wear will restrict his arm (and elbow) from fully extending, but it should not limit what he has to do on the field. Daniels wore a brace on his left arm upon his return from the same injury last season; he will have to wear a bulkier one this go-round.

He is being labeled as week to week, but the team departs for its Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts in London on Tuesday evening. If he isn’t on the plane, he will be ruled out. If he makes the trip, that means, at the very least, he is beginning to practice with the brace.

It is possible, depending on how the rest of the year unfolds, that Daniels has surgery after the season and is fully prepared for the 2027 season.

The injury…muddies the waters on a potential contract extension.

[A] league source: “I would wait to pay him until I see him fully healthy. I’m OK overspending on the QB position if I’m sure on the guy, because the difference in $70 million per year versus $75 million is nonexistent. If they have to wait, so be it. It’s not an uncommon thing, and the Commanders would have a very logical defense in that, ‘We need to know you’ll remain healthy.’”

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

From the Washington Post:

If Daniels is unable to not only return and stay upright but re-establish himself as a premier quarterback, Washington owner Josh Harris will have difficult decisions to make. On top of deciding the job statuses of Peters and Quinn, he will also have the final say on whether to commit to Daniels with a contract extension. The ramifications of those choices will alter the Commanders’ trajectory for years to come.

None of [Daniels’] alterations to his play style and mindset could have stopped him from tripping on left guard Chris Paul’s foot and dislocating his elbow when bracing his fall. For all intents and purposes, his injury was a fluke. Of course, that won’t stop the consequences.

Daniels, who turns 26 in December, is eligible for an extension after this season. Washington’s willingness to give him one won’t be a discussion if he gets healthy and performs like an elite quarterback again. At this point, that can’t be considered a guarantee.

An additional factor: The Commanders may have a high first-round pick if this season continues to go downhill. If they have reservations about Daniels, they could be in a position to draft another top quarterback prospect.

To read more of this Washington Post article, CLICK HERE

Last Man Standig (paywall)

Commanders staring at a fascinating risk-reward decision with consequences that could extend well beyond 2026

We have a short-term answer on what comes next for treating Jayden Daniels’ dislocated left elbow.

“As of right now, surgery is not on the table, and we have not discussed IR.”

Whether this apparent outcome is truly the best possible news, as many have stated upon hearing the update, remains to be determined.

Because choosing against surgery hardly ends the debate.

For more from Ben Standig, click here

ESPN

NFL Week 3 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips

The Commanders have allowed an NFL-worst seven touchdown passes in two games and rank 24th in yards per reception allowed. Now they have to contend with another top WR in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who averages 138.5 yards per game. While the injury-riddled offense has a far tougher challenge — Seattle’s defense ranks first in yards per play, second in points and yards per game — the defense needs to be the side that provides more. The Commanders have struggled with communication, leading to coverage breakdowns. “It’s the urgency,” defensive coordinator Daronte Jones said. “When there’s a breakdown in communication, negative plays occur. … We have to make sure the call is quick and fast.” — John Keim

Stat to know: The Commanders have gone 14 straight games without winning the turnover battle, which is the longest active drought in the NFL and tied for the franchise’s longest drought since 1933 (when team turnovers were first tracked). — ESPN Research

Betting insight: Six straight Commanders games have gone over the total, the second-longest active streak in the NFL. Seattle can extend it through the air: Washington has allowed more passing touchdowns than any other team, and Lock has thrown four (all to Smith-Njigba). Mariota moved the ball efficiently in relief against Dallas, giving Washington a reasonable path to contribute to the over. Read more. — Maldonado

Maldonado’s pick: Seahawks 27, Commanders 20
FPI prediction: SEA, 66.2% (by an average of 4.6 points)

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

ESPN

Commanders rule RG Cosmi, TE Okonkwo, LB Luvu out Sunday

Right guard Sam Cosmi (concussion), tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) and linebacker Frankie Luvu (groin) won’t play, according to the game status report released Friday.

Washington (0-2) already was without quarterback Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow) and safety Nick Cross (internal injury).

Luvu and Okonkwo missed the 37-20 loss at Dallas in Week 2. The other three players were hurt vs. the Cowboys; Cross needed to stay overnight in a Dallas hospital.

Leo Chenal replaced Luvu in the starting lineup next to rookie Sonny Styles. Luvu was Washington’s defensive playcaller, but Styles handled that in Week 2.

Cross will be difficult to replace because he lines up in a variety of positions, from linebacker in some packages to a box safety and deep safety. Quan Martin will replace him in the starting lineup. Coaches like Martin’s versatility as well.

Okonkwo was signed in the offseason to provide explosive plays downfield. Without him, the team will use a rotation of John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Colson Yankoff. But the Commanders also like to use three-receiver sets. They’ve used that look 67.9% of the time through two games.

Cosmi suffered the concussion in the fourth quarter vs. Dallas. Washington could replace him by moving Nick Allegretti from center to guard, where he has started the bulk of his career, and inserting veteran Lucas Patrick at center. The Commanders could start veteran Andrew Wylie at guard as well.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Riggo’s Rag

Amik Robertson stands alone in Commanders’ fight to stop Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Robertson is easily the top-performing cornerback through two weeks. Not exactly a lofty bar to achieve, but it’s a positive nonetheless. Unfortunately for the Commanders, opposing offenses are finding other weak links to exploit.

It’s an encouraging start from the Louisiana Tech product, and the signs were there over the offseason.

Smith-Njigba is arguably the league’s best receiver right now. One could have easily made that claim last season, too. His route running, deception at the top of his stems, and effortless gliding through coverage are all exemplary. And even without quarterback Sam Darnold, the Ohio State product has still managed 17 catches from 22 targets for 277 receiving yards and four touchdowns through two weeks.

Amik Robertson is Commanders’ only capable cornerback entering Week 3

When asked about how the Commanders plan to limit Smith-Njigba’s influence this weekend, Robertson pointed to the finer details. The defensive back believes the team took a different approach in practice, focusing on the details and making everyone aware of what’s expected to limit the pass-catcher’s ability to create explosive plays at will.

[Robertson] is a fierce competitor, a maximum-effort guy who doesn’t know how to quit. This will be the toughest test he’ll face all season, which is saying something one week after locking horns with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. That makes Robertson the Commanders’ most important defensive player in this one.

Nick Cross won’t be able to provide support on the back end, as he’s out with an injury. Mike Sainristil’s alarming freefall means he cannot be relied upon. The onus is on Robertson.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Riggo’s Rag

Marcus Mariota inherits season-saving task as Commanders fight to stay afloat

In his eight starts last year, Mariota played well for a backup.

He picked up wins against the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, and fought valiantly in many of Washington’s losses. Mariota made some perplexing throws trying to do too much, but he also made plenty of positive plays.

The Commanders will have the advantage of a frenzied home crowd this week, and they’ll be facing a Seahawks team that looks set to get starting quarterback Sam Darnold back.

Moving the ball down the field will be a tall task against a team that’s allowed 17 points in two games this season. And if Mariota makes any mistakes, the Seahawks will make him pay.

But if the former Tennessee Titan can somehow lead Washington to the upset, there’s no telling how huge of a momentum boost it would be.

If the Commanders can take this one, it’ll inspire confidence that they can take a few more without Daniels, depending on how long he is out after being considered week to week. That would be massive for morale.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Sports Illustrated

Could the Seattle Seahawks be facing a trap game against the Washington Commanders?

[O]ut of 31 experts, the Seahawks have been selected 31 times. We have all seen the memes when a panel of experts selects one team, only to be made fun of when they’re proven wrong.

• Seahawks: 31
• Commanders: 0

That’s why the concern about a trap game is a legit fear. Teams fall into this all the time, but the good news for Seattle is that they’re too well coached to fall into that in Week 3. More concerning will be the travel across country, especially since this is a 10:00 a.m. PT start. That could lead to a slow start, but we have all seen Jaxon Smith-Njigba put it in a different gear in the second half.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Commanders.com

3 keys to Commanders vs. Seahawks

Generate meaningful pressure.

The Commanders sacked Prescott twice last weekend, but the Cowboys’ quarterback was a problem for the defense throughout the afternoon. He threw four touchdown passes and completed 83.9% of his passes, largely because the Commanders had issues putting pressure on him in the pocket.

The Commanders have been one of the more blitz-heavy teams up to this point in the season, rushing extra defenders on 36.8% of their snaps. It’s led to pressure for quarterbacks 30.9% of the time, although much of that came from the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, when they managed to disrupt Jalen Hurts’ progression.

It looks like Sam Darnold is going to start for the Seahawks, but no matter who is under center, the Commanders must find a way to collapse the pocket. They’re facing a solid Seahawks offensive line, although the group ranks 29th in pass block win rate. If Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson can win their matchups on the edge, it would make life much easier on the secondary and whoever is covering Smith-Njigba.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Commanders Wire

How have Commanders receivers performed in first two weeks?

Through two weeks, it is Stefon Diggs who has been targeted the most (15) by Washington quarterbacks. Diggs has responded with nine receptions for 102 receiving yards, which also leads the team. Diggs also leads in receptions per game at 4.5 and touchdown receptions with three.

The Commanders’ top receiver coming into the season was Terry McLaurin. Terry has been targeted 13 times, but has only caught four for 64 yards. That means McLaurin is averaging 16.0 yards per reception, with a long reception of 26 yards. McLaurin has a success rate of only 30.8%.

A real positive to notice is rookie Antonio Williams. Williams has only been targeted seven times in the first two games. However, Williams has seven receptions for 88 yards, five of which have converted a first down for Washington, which is the second-most for the team.

[I]n two weeks, [Dyami] Brown has produced only 21 receiving yards. Now, in his defense, he was robbed of a touchdown catch last week vs. Dallas. Officials originally ruled it incomplete, but replay showed Brown’s knee down in the end zone (one knee equals two feet), and replay analyst Dean Blandino said the officials made the wrong call. This would/should have been a 29-yard touchdown reception for Brown. This would have pushed Brown’s current receiving yardage total from 21 to 50, and no one would be talking about Brown’s lack of production.

Treylon Burks has been targeted only once so far, and Jayden Daniels missed it, overthrowing the wide-open Burks for what should have been an easy touchdown in Dallas.

Jaylin Lane has caught one pass for [4] yards off of his lone target in two weeks.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Podcasts & videos

NFC East links

CBS Sports

NFL likely to shut down rulebook loophole Eagles have been exploiting for the past two weeks

The rulebook is kind of ambiguous about whether teams can use a holder WITHOUT a tee on a normal kickoff, so the Eagles have been taking advantage of that. In their Week 2 win over the Titans, the Eagles sent out punter Braden Mann to serve as the holder for Jake Elliott on kickoffs. The Eagles were trying to make it easier for Elliott to kick a “Dirty ball,” which is essentially a low knuckleball that can be difficult to field. 

To make Elliott’s job easier, the Eagles had Mann hold the football ON THE GROUND at Elliott’s preferred angle. 

Now this is where things get ambiguous. The rulebook states that you can use a holder at any time, but it doesn’t necessarily say anything about whether you have to use a tee. 

“During a free kick, the kicking team may use a manufactured tee designed to hold the ball no more than one inch from the ground and approved by the League,” the rulebook says. “During a kickoff or safety kick, the kicking team may also use a designated holder to hold the ball.”

The team “may” use a manufactured tee. It doesn’t say they have to use one. 

According to Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower, using a holder and having him place the ball directly on the ground goes against the spirit of the kickoff rule. During a meeting with reporters on Friday (via ESPN), he said the rule will be corrected and that if a holder is used, he’ll have to place the ball on a tee. 

Basically, the Eagles will still be able to use a holder, but they won’t be allowed to place the ball on the ground. Under the current rules, if a team attempts an onside kick, they can place the ball directly on the ground, and that part of the rule won’t change. 

The Eagles can keep doing what they’ve been doing until the league changes the rule, but if that doesn’t happen soon, you could see other teams start copying Philadelphia’s strategy.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

NY Daily News

Why are Giants barely putting Odell Beckham Jr. on the field?| New York Daily News

Beckham and Jaxson Dart never appeared to develop any obvious chemistry during training camp, but Jameis Winston and Beckham had a rapport. They’re both veterans. Winston often plants his back foot and fires, and Beckham is a precise, timing-based route runner. And Beckham logged more snaps with the backups than the starters, giving him more time on task with Winston.

And yet when Winston took over for Dart in Monday’s first quarter, and as the Giants’ offense floundered while falling behind big, Beckham was nailed to the bench. It just seems Beckham should be worked in as an option, particularly with Winston now under center.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Windy City Gridiron

Eagles at Bears Q&A: Can Ben Johnson best Vic Fangio?

Question: The Eagles definitely didn’t feel like the Eagles as the season concluded last year, and while they are 2-0 this year, it’s by a combined 6 points by 2 of the worst teams in the league [Bill-in-Bangkok: What?!]. Are the Eagles back, or is this still a team that’s not quite firing on all cylinders?

Bleeding Green Nation: It’s weird because, while you’re right to point out that the overall results haven’t been overly impressive, Jalen Hurts is playing some of the best football of his career. And it’s always easier to feel optimistic about your favorite team’s outlook when the quarterback is looking good.

The offense as a whole has been uneven. They’ve been really bad on early downs, which is a reflection of their struggles to run the ball efficiently. The offensive line isn’t what it used to be when Saquon Barkley ran all over the NFL in 2024. Despite these struggles, the Eagles have thus far insisted on running into a brick wall over and over, which has created long third downs. Fortunately, Hurts has been able to bail the offense out in these situations. He’s really hard to carry the offense. But that’s obviously not a sustainable approach over the course of the season.

Vic Fangio’s defense hasn’t been quite as good as expected yet. It’s a high bar to clear based on the success we’ve seen over the past two seasons. Perhaps it’ll take a little more time for them to fully click. I’m still bullish about their outlook.

All told, they’ve looked like an average team so far. But, given their sustained success over an extended period of time, they deserve more benefit of the doubt than some other teams. It’s reasonable to believe that they can play better.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Big Blue View

NY Giants QB Jaxson Dart having surgery Friday, per report

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart [underwent] surgery Friday on his injured knee, according to the New York Post. That is an early surgery that will allow Dart to begin attacking the rehab sooner rather than later.

Dart suffered damage to the PCL, MCL and meniscus on his left knee on Monday night when he was high-lowed by Los Angeles Rams’ defenders Byron Young and Josaiah Stewart.

Four months might be the most optimistic timeline. According to Dr. Kyle Flik, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder injuries for Ortho NY, the timeline depends on the severity of the injuries beyond the meniscus.

“I would say if the PCL is getting reconstructed then I think that [four months] would be a silly time frame and not make a lot of sense,” Flik said. “If it’s only the MCL and the meniscus, that would be a possibility.”

Flik said that PCL reconstruction, MCL repair, and meniscus repair would be the “worst-case scenario.”

A return for Week 1 of the 2027 season should not be an issue without ACL damage.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Blogging the Boys

Cowboys vs. Ravens predictions: Despite getting outplayed, Dallas wins

We’re back for another round of weekly predictions. This time it is for the Dallas Cowboys game against the Baltimore Ravens in Brazil.

The Cowboys win on turnovers

The Cowboys won’t dominate the game, in fact, when the stats are compiled at the end it will look like a Ravens win. Except for turnovers. The Cowboys defense has been very good about punching the football loose, although they haven’t got as many recoveries as we would like.

This time they get a couple of fumble recoveries, and they pick off a Lamar Jackson pass. They will get outplayed, but will capitalize on turnovers to get a close win.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Upcoming opponent – Seahawks

Commanders next game is at home vs Seattle at 1pm

ESPN

QB Sam Darnold back Sunday, but Seahawks down two safeties

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold will start Sunday against the Washington Commanders, but the defending Super Bowl champions will be without both starting safeties as Julian Love and Ty Okada have been ruled out.

Backup defensive tackle Brandon Pili (concussion/neck) is questionable. No other Seahawks player has a game designation.

Darnold missed most of the first two games with a glute injury he suffered early in the season opener. He was limited Wednesday in his return to practice and was a full participant Thursday and Friday. Coach Mike Macdonald said Friday that Darnold looked “really good” this week.

Rodney Thomas II will make his third straight start for Okada, who remains out with a hamstring injury. Macdonald said AJ Finley will start for Love, who popped up on the injury report as a nonparticipant Thursday when a calf tightened up. Love was again a nonparticipant Friday. Macdonald said he doesn’t know how much time Love will miss.

Love has an interception in three straight games dating to Seattle’s Super Bowl LX win over New England.

Finley will make his first start since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi in 2023. Claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Chargers in November 2024, Finley missed all of last season after tearing an ACL in the team’s annual training camp practice at Lumen Field.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Hogs Haven

Washington Commanders vs Seattle Seahawks Week 3: Five Questions with Field Gulls

Who is one Seahawks player on offense and one player on defense that Washington fans probably don’t know much about, but should?
The aforementioned Drake Thomas on defense is a player Commanders fans may not know, but he will seemingly be everywhere on defense against both the run and in coverage. Thomas came to Seattle as a waiver claim in 2023 during Carroll’s final season, and laid claim to a starting spot at linebacker in 2025, and at this point there appears to be no looking back.

On offense, Commanders fans certainly know JSN, and Tory Horton’s performance against the Commanders during the 2025 season may be etched into the memory of many Washington fans, but A.J. Barner is the name to watch out for. The third-year tight end is a monster as a blocker, and dangerous enough as a receiving threat that the coaches aren’t hesitant to call his number during high leverage situations.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

Courtesy of Albert Breer; enjoy!