Sam Darnold is back under center for our Hawks, and this Sunday in Washington, it’s not just another road game. We’ve got a shot to hit 3-0 for only the second time with Coach Mike Macdonald at the helm. That’s big time stuff, even against an 0-2 Commanders squad rolling out Marcus Mariota after Jayden Daniels took an elbow injury against Dallas. On paper, we should control this one, but that’s exactly why we need to stay razor-focused.
Our 3-0 History and Why It Matters Now
Getting to 3-0? That’s the kind of start that screams “serious contender” in the NFL. Our Hawks have only done it eight times in franchise history, and you know what’s wild? One of those, back in 2013, ended with a Super Bowl ring! We even hit 3-0 just recently in 2024, and that squad finished 10-7. This isn’t just about a single W on Sunday, it’s about building that championship foundation early.
And speaking of Washington, we’ve got a pretty good track record at Northwest Stadium. Our last trip in 2025 saw us grab a 38-14 win, and get this: Jayden Daniels got injured in that game too! We also beat them 20-15 in 2020 and 27-17 back in 2014, though we did drop a tight 17-15 game in 2021. So, we know how to get it done there, and we’ve got to bring that same energy.
Our Toughest Opponent Is Ourselves, Not the Commanders
But let’s be real, the biggest threat to us winning this game might not even be the Commanders. It’s us. Remember that season opener against New England? Ten penalties for a whopping 98 yards! Letting Drake Maye extend plays with his legs and scramble outside the pocket? That’s just sloppy, man. We saw a similar vibe last year against Tennessee, a team that came in as a significant underdog but still managed to put 24 points on us. We won that one 30-24, even with Ernest Jones out and our defense settling down, but it was way too close for comfort.
Our defense has been lights out so far this season, only giving up 17 points total through two games. That’s nasty! The Commanders are 0-2 and don’t have Daniels. But all that means nothing if we hand Washington unnecessary opportunities through boneheaded penalties, missed assignments, or defensive breakdowns. We cannot afford to make it easy for Marcus Mariota.
We gotta stay disciplined and play our game. We’ve got a much tougher stretch coming immediately afterward, starting with the Los Angeles Chargers. So, on Sunday, let’s get that 3-0, keep it clean, and show the league what our Hawks are truly made of!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Field Gulls.
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