The Washington Commanders needed one giant play to turn an 0-2 start into a new season story. Linebacker Kain Medrano gave them that play, grabbing a Sam Darnold pass and racing 50 yards for a touchdown with less than four minutes left. That defensive score helped Washington survive Seattle’s late charge for a 33-31 win at Northwest Stadium.

Seattle entered 2-0 and chasing another championship run, while Washington was searching for its first victory. The Commanders got an early lift when rookie running back Jadarian Price fumbled near Seattle’s goal line. Washington recovered at the 21, then Jacory Croskey-Merritt powered the offense down to the 6. Marcus Mariota finished the short drive with a touchdown pass to Rachaad White, putting Washington ahead 7-0.

Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba soon showed why Seattle had started so fast. Smith-Njigba made catches of 11 and 20 yards, and tight end AJ Barner added a 32-yard grab to set up the goal-line chance. Darnold then found Smith-Njigba for a 1-yard touchdown, tying the game 7-7 early in the second quarter.

Washington answered with its best long drive of the day. Terry McLaurin, Stefon Diggs and Antonio Williams helped Mariota move the chains, meaning they gained enough yards for another first down. Croskey-Merritt ran hard, and receiver Treylon Burks caught an 11-yard touchdown for a 14-7 lead. Seattle settled for Jason Myers’ 57-yard field goal, but Washington answered right before halftime with Drew Stevens’ 57-yarder for a 17-10 advantage.

The Commanders struck again after halftime when safety Sonny Styles intercepted Darnold at the Seattle 42. Mariota quickly took advantage, firing a 30-yard touchdown to McLaurin for a 24-10 lead. McLaurin’s six catches for 77 yards gave Washington a steady target when it needed one.

But Seattle’s passing game refused to disappear. Darnold led a long drive and hit tight end Eric Saubert for a 13-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Smith-Njigba even threw a 14-yard pass to George Holani on a clever trick play before catching an 11-yard touchdown himself. The score was tied 24-24 with 11:53 left.

Washington answered with a patient drive that ended in Stevens’ 36-yard field goal and a 27-24 lead. Then Medrano made the game’s biggest turn. His interception return for a touchdown, called a pick-six, pushed the lead to 33-24 after the extra point missed.

Darnold drove Seattle back, finding Smith-Njigba three times before a 7-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp made it 33-31. Yet White broke free for a huge 19-yard run, and Mariota’s late scramble helped Washington run out the clock.

Darnold threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns, while Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two scores. Still, Seattle’s three turnovers proved too costly. Washington is now 1-2 and carries fresh belief to its game against Indianapolis. Seattle falls to 2-1 and heads to face the Los Angeles Chargers, knowing its powerful offense must protect the ball to keep its title chase on course.

Kain Medrano’s Pick-Six Powers Washington Past Seattle