The Seattle Seahawks are no longer a team quietly building something special in the Pacific Northwest. After demolishing the Washington Commanders 38-14 on Sunday Night Football, it's time to officially place Mike MacDonald's squad among the elite teams in the NFC. The Seahawks aren't sneaking up on anyone anymore—they're a legitimate contender that should be mentioned in the same breath as the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
With a 6-2 record and a +81 point differential through eight games, Seattle has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in 2025. The dominance displayed against Washington wasn't just convincing; it was a statement game that showcased the Seahawks' complete superiority across all phases of football. This team has quietly assembled one of the most dangerous rosters in the conference, and it's finally time to give them the respect they deserve at the elite level.
Sam Darnold Is Playing MVP-Caliber Football
Sam Darnold put on one of the most spectacular performances of the 2025 season against the Commanders, completing 21 of 24 passes for 330 yards with four touchdowns and just one interception. More impressively, Darnold went 16-for-16 in the first half with 282 yards and four touchdown passes—a feat only accomplished by Tom Brady in the Patriots' perfect 2007 season. The former New York Jet showed that signing with Seattle was one of the best decisions he could have made for his career.
What makes Darnold's performance even more remarkable is the context surrounding his entire season. The three-year, $80 million contract he signed with the Seahawks raised eyebrows in the offseason, but through eight games, he's looked like an absolute bargain. Darnold has accumulated 1,754 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and just four interceptions with a completion percentage that's among the best in the league. He also didn't take a single sack against Washington, showcasing the improved offensive line protecting him.
The comparison to Johnny Unitas is noteworthy—Darnold finished with over 325 passing yards, four touchdown passes, three or fewer incomplete passes, and zero sacks taken, joining only Unitas (1967) and Tom Brady (2007) in accomplishing this feat. This isn't just good quarterback play; this is elite, MVP-candidate level performance. When your signal-caller is playing this well, playoff success becomes a genuine possibility.
The Receiving Game Is Historically Productive
Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to put together one of the most historic seasons ever for a young receiver in the NFL, adding 129 receiving yards against Washington to reach 948 yards through eight games. JSN is now on pace for the first-ever 2,000-yard receiving season in NFL history if he maintains his current production through the season's end. This 23-year-old has gone over 100 receiving yards in six of his eight games this season, tying Steve Largent's Seahawks single-season record from 1979.
Smith-Njigba's 948 yards are the most accumulated by any player under 25 years old in his first eight games of the season in NFL history, surpassing Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce's 1995 rookie season total of 938 yards. The connection between Darnold and Smith-Njigba has been absolutely electric, and it's creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. When teams focus on shutting down JSN, receivers like Cody White (who had a 60-yard touchdown reception in the first half against Washington) create explosive plays elsewhere.
The depth of the Seahawks' receiving corps is also underrated—the team isn't relying on a single star to carry the offense. Players like Elijah Arroyo and other pass-catchers have chipped in to create a well-rounded attack. This balanced approach makes the Seahawks incredibly difficult to defend and suggests their offensive success isn't a mirage built on one player's extraordinary season.
Defensive Elite Status Backed by Dominance
The Seahawks' defense has been absolutely brutal this season, ranking sixth in points allowed while also crushing opposing teams on the ground. Seattle's defense allowed just 14 points to Washington and held the Commanders to minimal offensive production throughout the evening. The combination of pressure up front and coverage in the secondary has created a complete defensive unit that can compete with any team in the NFL.
Mike Macdonald's defensive scheme has been a massive upgrade, and the front seven is generating consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The Seahawks have generated 23 sacks in eight games while allowing only 136 points total—elite numbers that suggest sustained defensive excellence. When you pair an elite defense with MVP-caliber quarterback play and a historic receiving threat, you get Sunday Night Football dominance like what Seattle displayed in the nation's capital.
The Seahawks aren't just a feel-good story anymore. They're a complete, well-constructed team capable of winning in January, and it's time the national media starts treating them accordingly.
