The Washington Commanders are in the win column in 2026, and they did it against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in a Week 3 stunner.
And even more unlikely was the play that decided the game.
Marcus Mariota was a warrior for Washington, leading the team to a win in Jayden Daniels' absence. Rookie linebacker Sonny Styles forced a fumble and recorded an interception, and wide receiver Terry McLaurin was back to Pro Bowl form.
Kain Medrano stepped up when the Commanders needed a hero in season-saving win
But the true turning point came early on in the fourth quarter.
When he woke up on Sunday, second-year linebacker Kain Medrano hadn't played a single defensive snap during a regular-season NFL game. Now, the 2025 sixth-round pick will go to bed with a pick-six on his resume.
And it couldn't have come at a more opportune time for the Commanders.
Frankie Luvu missed his second consecutive game, and Leo Chenal was carted off during the first half with a scary neck injury. That forced Washington to call for the next man up, and Medrano answered the call.
After the Commanders had led by 14, Seattle tied the game and had all the momentum heading into the final 15 minutes. A Washington field goal gave the home team the lead back, but somebody needed to make a play on defense.
The Seahawks were forced into a second-and-long after a first-down penalty, and Odafe Oweh pressured Sam Darnold. The passer got the ball away, looking for tight end AJ Barner, but Medrano stepped in front of it and took it all the way back.
Commanders' coaches need to place more trust in Kain Medrano after his thunderous coming-out party
It proved to be the difference in what was ultimately a two-point win.
Chenal's injury isn't minor, and there's no telling when Luvu will be back. Washington might be thin at inside linebacker for a while, which means Medrano and perhaps even Ale Kaho will have to step up to the plate with Jordan Magee on injured reserve for at least another week.
Head coach Dan Quinn has struggled to trust Medrano with defensive snaps, but the former UCLA star has always been a project. He has the athletic tools to be a valuable contributor in the NFL, and Washington has been careful with his development.
But if Medrano showed us anything on Sunday, it's that he might be ready now.
Medrano makes plays on the field, whether on defense or special teams. Takeaways are a premium under new coordinator Daronte Jones, and he's a player who can create them.
The Commanders knew they had a high-potential player when they drafted Medrano. Now we've all seen it with our own eyes.
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