Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats: Geno Smith’s Clutch Drives Seal 29-26 Comeback

The Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats tell the story of a quarterback duel where efficiency in the final moments decided everything. On November 12, 2023, at Lumen Field, 68,721 fans watched Seattle overcome a late deficit to edge Washington 29-26, with Geno Smith engineering two fourth-quarter scoring drives. The raw numbers show a game of razor-thin margins, where red-zone execution and a critical fourth-down stop tilted the balance.

What looked like a Washington upset in the making dissolved under the weight of missed opportunities and Seattle’s composure. Smith threw for 369 yards and two touchdowns, connecting on 31 of 47 attempts without an interception, while Commanders quarterback Sam Howell put up 312 yards and two scores but tossed a back-breaking pick in the fourth quarter. The final box score reveals a contest where Seattle’s defense tightened when it mattered most, holding Washington to just one touchdown in the second half.

Match Overview

Core Match Statistics Overview

The total yardage and play-by-play data frame a game in which both offenses moved the ball but the Seahawks converted more drives into points when the contest hung in the balance.

Passing Attack Comparison

• Geno Smith’s 369 passing yards and 31 completions kept the chains moving consistently; he averaged 7.9 yards per attempt and found eight different receivers.
• Sam Howell matched the aerial volume with 312 yards, but his lone interception on an underthrown deep ball in the fourth quarter handed Seattle prime field position for the go-ahead score.

Rushing Efficiency

• Both teams finished with exactly 62 rushing yards, reflecting a game where neither ground attack established dominance. Seattle’s Kenneth Walker III managed only 3.3 yards per carry, while Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. averaged 4.8 but was limited to eight attempts as the Commanders leaned heavily on the pass.

Turnover Battle

• The only turnover of the afternoon — an interception by Seattle safety Julian Love — set up a short field that led directly to the decisive touchdown. Washington’s inability to force a takeaway placed constant pressure on its defense.

Period-by-Period Analysis

1st Quarter: Washington Draws First Blood

• Washington moved the ball methodically on its opening possession, settling for a Joey Slye 45-yard field goal after the drive stalled at the Seattle 27.
• Seattle answered with a 12-play, 61-yard march capped by Jason Myers’ 43-yard kick, but the Commanders’ defense limited explosive plays and forced the Seahawks into a long third down.
• A late field goal by Slye from 49 yards restored Washington’s lead, exposing Seattle’s difficulty in generating pressure without blitzing.

2nd Quarter: Smith Heats Up

• Geno Smith found Tyler Lockett on a 17-yard back-shoulder throw in the end zone, capping an 80-yard drive that showcased crisp timing routes against man coverage.
• Washington responded immediately when Brian Robinson Jr. plunged in from one yard out after a 38-yard pass interference penalty on Seattle cornerback Tariq Woolen kept the drive alive.
• A two-minute drill before halftime ended with Smith hitting DK Metcalf for a 15-yard gain and then Lockett again from 5 yards, giving Seattle a 17-13 advantage at the break.

3rd Quarter: Defenses Tighten

• Washington opened the half with a 10-play field goal drive, as Howell connected with Terry McLaurin three times for 41 yards, but a sack by Boye Mafe killed the red-zone threat.
• Seattle’s only points came on a 36-yard Myers kick after a 17-yard scramble by Smith converted a critical third down.
• Commanders’ defensive end Montez Sweat sacked Smith on consecutive dropbacks, forcing a three-and-out that gave Washington the ball back with a chance to take the lead.

4th Quarter: The Decisive Turnover

• Howell hit Jahan Dotson on a 22-yard slant for a touchdown early in the quarter, putting Washington ahead 26-20, but the extra point was missed wide right — a two-score swing that proved costly.
• On the ensuing possession, Smith marched Seattle 75 yards, converting a 4th-and-3 with a 19-yard strike to Lockett before finding Metcalf on a 9-yard touchdown. The Seahawks reclaimed the lead 27-26.
• Howell’s next throw, intended for McLaurin down the seam, was intercepted by Julian Love at the Washington 42. Seattle burned clock and added a 27-yard Myers field goal, forcing Washington to need a touchdown with under a minute remaining.
• The Commanders’ final drive reached midfield but died on downs when Uchenna Nwosu sacked Howell on fourth down, sealing the 29-26 Seattle victory.

Seattle Seahawks Player Statistics

Geno Smith (QB)
Rating: 104.5, Comp/Att: 31/47, 369 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Smith operated the quick game with surgical precision against Washington’s zone coverages, completing 80% of his throws under 10 air yards. His ability to extend plays with his legs (15 scramble yards) kept drives alive on two third downs.

Kenneth Walker III (RB)
Rush: 19 carries, 63 YDS; Rec: 3 catches, 31 YDS
Walker found little running room between the tackles, but his three receptions out of the backfield added a checkdown dimension that helped Smith avoid negative plays. His blitz pickup on the game-winning touchdown drive gave Smith just enough time to locate Metcalf.

Tyler Lockett (WR)
Rec: 8 catches, 92 YDS, 2 TD
Lockett’s two red-zone touchdowns demonstrated his elite footwork near the sideline. On the first score, he beat press coverage with a quick release; on the second, he sat in a soft spot of Washington’s Cover 2 for an easy pitch-and-catch.

DK Metcalf (WR)
Rec: 7 catches, 98 YDS, 1 TD
Metcalf was the primary target on intermediate crossing routes, averaging 14.0 yards per reception. His physicality after the catch turned three short completions into first downs.

Bobby Wagner (LB)
Tackles: 10 (7 solo), 1 TFL, 1 Pass Defended
Wagner’s run fits limited Robinson to just three explosive carries, and his zone drops eliminated Howell’s checkdown options on second-and-long.

Julian Love (S)
Tackles: 6, 1 INT, 1 Pass Defended
Love’s interception came on a miscommunication where he read Howell’s eyes from a deep-half position and broke on the underthrown ball. His return set up the go-ahead field goal.

Washington Commanders Player Statistics

Sam Howell (QB)
Comp/Att: 29/44, 312 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT, Rating: 89.2
Howell showed poise in a raucous road environment, consistently finding McLaurin and Dotson on in-breaking routes. However, under duress on 12 dropbacks, he completed only 41% of his passes and took two drive-killing sacks.

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)
Rush: 8 carries, 38 YDS, 1 TD; Rec: 2 catches, 12 YDS
Robinson’s physical inside running was effective in limited touches, but the Commanders abandoned the run after falling behind in the fourth quarter. His touchdown run showcased excellent pad level at the goal line.

Terry McLaurin (WR)
Rec: 7 catches, 88 YDS
McLaurin won consistently against off coverage, moving the chains on all three of Washington’s third-down completions in the first half. Seattle double-teamed him on the critical interception play, forcing Howell to take a risk.

Jahan Dotson (WR)
Rec: 5 catches, 69 YDS, 1 TD
Dotson’s touchdown came on a perfectly executed slant-and-go from the slot, beating Coby Bryant with a double move. He also drew a 22-yard pass interference penalty that set up Robinson’s score.

Kamren Curl (S)
Tackles: 9 (8 solo), 1 TFL, 1 QB Hit
Curl was Washington’s most active defender, flying downhill to limit yards after catch and recording a tackle for loss on a screen to Walker.

Montez Sweat (DE)
Tackles: 4, 2 Sacks, 3 QB Hits
Sweat’s speed off the edge overwhelmed Seattle right tackle Abraham Lucas in the third quarter, generating back-to-back sacks that swung momentum until Smith adjusted the protection calls.

Statistical Leaders Summary

Analytical Breakdowns: Why Seattle Won

Balanced Offensive Production Without a Run Game

Seattle compensated for a nonexistent rushing attack by manufacturing short completions that functioned like extended handoffs. The passing chart shows 21 of Smith’s 31 completions traveled fewer than 10 yards, yet the Seahawks produced 6.2 yards per play overall.

Fourth-Down Execution

Trailing 26-20 with 6:15 left, Seattle faced a 4th-and-3 at the Washington 45. Smith’s 19-yard strike to Lockett against tight man coverage was the pivotal play of the game — without that conversion, the Seahawks likely lose possession and the contest.

Red Zone Efficiency

Seattle converted two of its three red-zone trips into touchdowns; Washington managed only one touchdown in two visits. The extra four points proved to be the difference after Slye’s missed extra point.

Pressure Discipline on Defense

The Seahawks blitzed on just 18% of Howell’s dropbacks yet generated three sacks and six quarterback hits by winning one-on-one matchups with their front four. This allowed seven defenders to drop into coverage, complicating Howell’s reads and forcing the game’s only turnover.

Why Washington Lost

Failure to Protect Late Lead

Washington held a 26-20 advantage with just over nine minutes remaining but allowed consecutive scoring drives of 75 and 42 yards. The defense missed two tackles on Metcalf’s touchdown catch and gave up the crucial fourth-down conversion.

Lack of a Run Game Commitment

Despite averaging 4.8 yards per carry, Robinson received only eight handoffs. The 44-to-8 pass-run ratio in the second half made Washington one-dimensional and allowed Seattle’s edge rushers to pin their ears back on passing downs.

Crushing Special Teams Error

Joey Slye’s missed extra point after Dotson’s touchdown turned a potential three-point lead into a mere two-point edge. That single point forced Washington to chase a touchdown rather than a field goal on its final drive, altering the entire calculus of the last two minutes.

Historical Context & Advanced Insights

Season Series Breakdown

The Seahawks and Commanders hadn’t met since Week 12 of the 2021 season.

Washington’s 2021 victory was similarly tight, decided by a last-second field goal. This two-game sample shows a pattern of closely contested matchups where the winning team protects the football and capitalizes on limited red-zone opportunities.

Advanced Statistical Insights: Passing EPA and Air Yards

Seattle’s offense posted a positive Expected Points Added (EPA) per dropback of +0.21, fueled by Smith’s ability to avoid negative plays. Washington’s EPA/dropback sat at +0.03 — dragged down by the interception and three sacks. The air yards distribution highlights the Seahawks’ conservative but efficient approach: Smith’s average intended air yards was 7.4, versus Howell’s 9.1. By taking the underneath throws that Washington’s zone conceded, Seattle reduced variance and kept the offense on schedule, finishing 7-of-14 on third down to Washington’s 5-of-12.

Game Implications & Key Lessons

What This Means for Seattle

• Improving to 6-3 kept the Seahawks firmly in the NFC playoff picture, one game behind the division-leading 49ers.
• Smith’s turnover-free performance reinforced his reputation as a quarterback who won’t beat himself, a critical trait for a team built around a strong defensive identity.
• The emergence of Julian Love as a ball hawk gives Seattle a secondary playmaker alongside Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams.

What This Means for Washington

• Dropping to 4-6 put a severe dent in Washington’s wild-card hopes, requiring near-perfect football down the stretch.
• The inability to close tight games — the Commanders were 2-4 in one-score contests — highlighted schematic issues in late-game defensive play-calling.
• Howell’s development continued to show flashes, but his turnover in the final minutes underscored the fine line between aggressive confidence and costly risk-taking.

Key Lessons from the Match

• Short passing volume can substitute for a run game when screens, slants, and checkdowns are executed with precise timing.
• A missed extra point changes opponent play-calling incentives across the final two drives, flipping field-goal situations into must-score-touchdown desperation.
• Fourth-down decision-making in opponent territory can define a season; Seattle’s conversion probability analytics favored going for it, and the execution delivered the win.
• A defensive superpower, pressure created without blitzing inhibits explosive plays and enables seven defenders to block passing lanes..
• Red-zone efficiency differential in games decided by three points or fewer almost always points directly at the victor.
• Tackling discipline on short completions limits hidden yardage and forces offenses to sustain 12-plus-play drives to score, increasing the likelihood of a mistake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders game?

The Seattle Seahawks won 29-26 on November 12, 2023, at Lumen Field, improving to 6-3 on the season.

What were Geno Smith’s stats in the Seahawks vs Commanders matchup?

Geno Smith completed 31 of 47 passes for 369 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, posting a 104.5 passer rating. He also rushed for a key 17-yard scramble on third down.

How did Sam Howell perform against the Seahawks?

Sam Howell finished 29-of-44 for 312 yards and two touchdowns but threw a critical interception in the fourth quarter that led to Seattle’s go-ahead field goal. He was sacked three times.

Which Seattle Seahawks players scored touchdowns?

Tyler Lockett caught two touchdown passes (17 and 5 yards), and DK Metcalf added a 9-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.

What was the decisive play in the Seahawks vs Commanders game?

With Seattle trailing 26-20, Geno Smith’s 19-yard completion to Tyler Lockett on 4th-and-3 from the Washington 45 kept the game-winning drive alive. Three plays later, Metcalf scored the go-ahead touchdown.

How many yards did Terry McLaurin have against Seattle?

Terry McLaurin caught seven passes for 88 yards but did not score a touchdown. He was targeted on the play that resulted in Julian Love’s interception.

Conclusion

The Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Commanders Match Player Stats reveal a game where turnover margin, red-zone finishing, and fourth-down courage separated the two sides. Seattle’s 431-yard output without a single giveaway — combined with a defense that produced the afternoon’s only takeaway — overwhelmed Washington’s valiant but flawed performance. For the Commanders, missed opportunities in the kicking game and a second-half abandonment of the run erased an otherwise steady showing. The box score stands as a textbook example of how situational execution defines winners in the NFL’s tightest contests.