After a turbulent week, the Washington Commanders got the chance to focus on football again. But with their home opener coming against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, it was always going to be a tall order.
Their task grew harder with the demoralizing loss of quarterback Jayden Daniels. He was available and could miss next weekend too, as he recovers from another dislocated elbow. Marcus Mariota got the start, and everyone rallied behind the respected veteran.
Things are threatening to unravel in Washington, which is not ideal so early in the campaign. Head coach Dan Quinn is feeling the strain, trying to keep his squad motivated amid significant adversity. But if he had the chance to hand-pick his next opponent, the Seahawks would be pretty low on the list.
As it turned out, the Commanders turned in a phenomenal performance to stun the Seahawks and the entire NFL will an incredible win on home soil.
With that in mind, here are 11 instant reactions from the Commanders' performance against the Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.
Instant reactions from the Washington Commanders' upset win against the Seahawks in Week 3
Commanders' raised urgency early
The Commanders had heard all the chatter about their subpar efforts to start the season. Their backs were against the wall, but they flew around the field early in an incredible start to the contest.
Washington capitalized on an early turnover and set the tone in the trenches. Their defense, in particular, responded to the challenge, imposing its will almost immediately and playing with a sense of urgency that simply wasn't there much over the first two games.
It was just a start, of course. But it showed what this team could do when they all brought the same energy.
Mike Sainristil's role
After underperforming over the first two contests, patience was clearly wearing thin with third-year cornerback Mike Sainristil. Everyone knew it, and the Commanders took decisive action to ensure he would not be a weak link against the Seahawks' passing attack.
Sainristil was barely on the field. He played nickel, but his boundary responsibilities were nonexistent.
The Commanders deployed Rasul Douglas and even Fabian Moreau opposite Amik Robertson. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly more stable. And this is the clearest sign yet that Sainristil's long-term future with the franchise is in grave peril.
And where he goes from here is anyone's guess.
Commanders' discipline issues pre-snap
Washington was much more competitive than anyone expected at the start of the game. However, the same pre-snap discipline issues that have blighted them in recent years held them back.
The offensive line had clear timing issues. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt's long touchdown run was brought back, which felt like a pendulum-swinging moment. Defense was a little better, but there were also frustrating infringements.
The Commanders shot themselves in the foot too many times. Most of these issues were correctable, which made it even more frustrating. And with Washington's margins so fine this season, things cannot continue like this much longer.
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