Washington (United States) (AFP) – The Washington Commanders and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota stunned Seattle 33-31 Sunday, handing the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks their first loss of the season. The Commanders, reeling from two losses and another injury to their franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels, turned to 32-year-old journeyman Mariota, who completed three passing touchdowns and 183 yards for victory.
Seattle’s franchise-best 12-game winning streak was snapped despite their own star quarterback Sam Darnold returning from injury to pass for 379 and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. Washington struck first, seizing on a fumble by Seattle rookie star Jadarian Price. Mariota found Rachaad White for a passing touchdown on the next drive. Darnold hit back with an endzone pass to the dangerous Jackson Smith-Njigba, but Mariota located Treylon Burks to regain the lead. Seattle turned the ball over again, and Mariota sent a 30-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin for a 14-point advantage.
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The Seahawks offense raised its game. Backup tight end Eric Saubert received a 13-yard touchdown pass, before Smith-Njigba grabbed his second to tie the game 24-24. But after a Commanders field goal re-established a slender lead, Darnold gave up a pick-six. His pass was intercepted by Kain Medrano, a special teams player and backup linebacker, who raced 50 yards to make it 33-24. Another relentless Seahawks drive pulled back one touchdown to Cooper Kupp, but Washington held out for the upset win.
Elsewhere on a Sunday packed with tight games and frequent lead changes, star running back Jahmyr Gibbs helped the Detroit Lions to see off a spirited Jets fightback and prevail 31-24. New York’s Garrett Wilson took a superb 4th down catch from Geno Smith that was ruled a touchdown on video review, and a two-point conversion tied the game 24-24. But the joy was short-lived. Gibbs rushed for his third touchdown, Wilson departed injured, and Jets quarterback Smith was sacked on 4th down to snuff out any further comebacks.
Cleveland quarterback DeShaun Watson, making his home season debut after being booed by his own fans in the offseason, led the Browns to a last-gasp 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers. Watson — in the final year of a $230 million five-year contract that has been ravaged by injuries and off-field controversy — threw for two touchdowns including a go-ahead 14-yard sling to Harold Fannin Jr. with less than two minutes on the clock.
Pittsburgh bagged a late win against the Cincinnati Bengals. Veteran Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shook off recent woes with a bright start including touchdown passes of 38 yards and 23 yards to Roman Wilson and Ben Skowronek respectively. Cincinnati took a fourth-quarter lead, but two field goals and a late turnover sealed the Steelers’ win 30-27. And the Indianapolis Colts needed a 53-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining to beat the Houston Texans 19-17.
The Buffalo Bills defeated the winless Los Angeles Chargers 24-16. Bills quarterback Josh Allen had a rough game by his own high standards, with Buffalo conceding five turnovers. But they ultimately proved too good, pulling clear late with rushing touchdowns from Allen and James Cook III. The Kansas City Chiefs were comfortable in a 24-10 win over the Miami Dolphins, while the New England Patriots — last year’s Super Bowl losers — were thrashed 35-6 by Jacksonville. And the Tennessee Titans remain 0-3, as quarterback Cam Ward threw a disastrous interception on a potentially winning drive against the New York Giants, who won 12-7.
© 2024 AFP
