Seahawks Vs. Commanders Predictions: Expect Another Big Game From Seattle’s Rushing Attack

The Seattle Seahawks enters Week 3 with a 2-0 record and will travel to Maryland to take on the Washington Commanders and try and extend their winning streak to 13 games. The Seahawks are currently 7.5-point favorites at FanDuel Sportsbook, with the total set at 40.5 points.

This matchup looks considerably different than it did when the lines first opened. Washington is 0-2 after losing 37-20 to Dallas and will be without Jayden Daniels, while Seattle is still waiting to determine whether Sam Darnold will return from his injury.

That uncertainty makes quarterback-specific bets less appealing for now. Instead, there are several other markets that stand out, particularly with Seattle’s rushing attack and its defense.

Here are four predictions for Seahawks-Commanders.

1. Jadarian Price scores a touchdown

Jadarian Price’s status is one of the things to monitor before kickoff, but if the rookie is active, I like his chances of finding the end zone. Price left Seattle’s 31-7 victory over Arizona with a chest injury, although his initial X-rays were negative. He was limited in practice, keeping the door open for him to play against Washington.

Price has already shown why Seattle invested a first-round pick in him. Price had 52 rushing yards on 10 carries against New England in Week 1 before adding 52 yards on 13 carries against Arizona, including a 25-yard run.

Prediction: Jadarian Price anytime touchdown scorer

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba goes over 90 receiving yards

At this point, there isn’t much reason to stop expecting big numbers from Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

JSN has 17 receptions for 277 yards and four touchdowns through two games, including a three-touchdown performance against Arizona. He has quickly become the focal point of Seattle’s passing game, regardless of who is playing quarterback.

The bigger question is whether Washington can find a way to slow him down.

The Commanders enter this game after allowing 37 points to Dallas, while Seattle’s offense has already shown it can generate explosive plays through multiple areas of the field.

Seattle could also have opportunities to attack through the air if Washington commits extra defenders to stopping the run.

The one concern is game script. If Seattle controls the game early, there may not be enough passing volume for JSN to approach another 150-yard performance. Still, his role makes 90 yards a reasonable target.

Prediction: Jaxon Smith-Njigba over 90 receiving yards

3. Seahawks cover -7.5

The current FanDuel line has Seattle favored by 7.5 points.

That is a larger number than the Seahawks have had to cover in either of their first two games, but there are reasons to believe Seattle can create enough separation.

The Seahawks have outscored their opponents 44-17 through two games. The defense has been the team’s biggest constant, while the offense has found ways to produce despite the uncertainty at quarterback.

Washington, meanwhile, is 0-2 and will have to adjust to playing without Daniels. Marcus Mariota will take over at quarterback, changing the way the Commanders can attack Seattle’s defense.

The biggest concern with laying 7.5 points is Seattle’s offensive ceiling if the quarterback situation remains unsettled. But the Seahawks don’t necessarily need another 30-point performance to cover.

If Seattle establishes its rushing attack and controls the clock, a two-score victory is within reach.

Prediction: Seahawks -7.5

4. Under 40.5 total points

The total is currently set at 40.5 points at FanDuel.

This might seem strange after Seattle scored 31 points last week, but the Seahawks have yet to play a game that went over this number. Their defense has also allowed just 17 points through the first two weeks.

Washington has gone in the opposite direction, with both of its games going over the closing total. But the Commanders will now have to play without Daniels, potentially changing the way they approach the game offensively.

Without their starting quarterback, Washington could lean more heavily on the running game and shorter throws rather than asking Mariota to consistently attack downfield against Seattle’s defense.

Seattle could also become more run-heavy if it builds a lead, which would help shorten the game and reduce the number of possessions available to both teams. A game finishing somewhere in the 20s for Seattle and the 10s for Washington would comfortably stay below the current number.

Prediction: Under 40.5 points

Final score prediction

The biggest variable remains Seattle’s quarterback situation, but the Seahawks have enough talent around the position to make that uncertainty less important than it might appear.

Seattle should be able to establish its rushing attack against Washington, while its defense has the matchup to make life difficult for a Commanders offense without Daniels.

I expect Washington to keep things competitive early, but Seattle should pull away in the second half.

Seahawks 24, Commanders 13

That gives Seattle an 11-point victory, enough to cover the current 7.5-point spread while keeping the game below the 40.5-point total.