There were questions in the offseason when Seattle decided to shuttle Geno Smith off to Las Vegas for a third-round pick then replaced him with Sam “I See Ghosts” Darnold for three years and $100.5 million. The only ghosts Darnold is seeing these days are the friendly ones diving into his vault of money Scrooge McDuck style. The only question in Seattle is where the Super Bowl at this year?
Ok, fine. Super Bowl is hyperbole, but Seattle went 5-2 before its bye in Week 8. The passing offense has the ninth-highest EPA per dropback, as Darnold has thrown 12 touchdowns to five interceptions. The rushing attack is one of the worst in the league, though, at 3.7 yards per carry and the third-lowest EPA per carry, but the rush defense is the best in the league, allowing only 3.3 yards per carry and two touchdowns on the season with the lowest EPA per carry. The pass defense has the 16th-highest EPA per dropback, but the unit has racked up eight interceptions and 23 sacks.
Washington has had a rough season, having won only three games with Jayden Daniels suffering multiple injuries. The pass offense is 20th in EPA per dropback, but Marcus Mariota started three games while Daniels hasn’t been 100%. Daniels is healthy for this one, though. The rush offense is eighth in EPA per carry and averaging 5.2 yards per carry, but both Daniels and Mariota have been big contributors to that number.
On defense, opposing rushing attacks have averaged 4.4 yards per carry but scored only six touchdowns. The EPA per carry is 12th-highest. The pass defense is where most of the troubles have been, allowing the seventh-highest EPA per dropback with 15 touchdowns while intercepting four passes.
This game is in Washington, but the Seahawks are favored by 2.5 points. The total is a healthy 48.5, so points are expected to be scored.
Below are values that could hopefully help take you to the promised land.
Set your DraftKings fantasy football lineups here: NFL Showdown $1M Sunday Night Showdown [$250K to 1st] (SEA @ WAS)
TE Elijah Arroyo – Seattle Seahawks ($2,400)
Arroyo was selected in the second round of the 2025 draft. The rookie has played from day one, but the snap share has been in the 40% range for most of the season. Last week, he played 38% of the snaps, as AJ Barner is the superior blocker, but Arroyo received five targets to three for Barner, with two of those in the red zone. If this game does go back and forth, Arroyo could once again be more involved. Washington has allowed the eighth-most yards to tight ends and the five touchdowns are tied for third-most to the position.
WR Chris Moore, Washington Commanders ($3,400)
Last week, four receivers played in the 30-50% range, including Terry McLaurin at 47%. McLaurin has been ruled out for this one. He also missed weeks 4, 5, 6 and 7. Over that span, it was Moore who saw an increase in snaps to around 70% and received five targets in weeks 6 and 7. One of those was with Deebo Samuel Sr. while the other was without Samuel. It’s likely Moore is once again the biggest beneficiary from a playing perspective with McLaurin out.
RB Jeremy McNichols, Washington Commanders ($4,400)
Seattle has the toughest run defense, so it’s unlikely Washington bangs its head against a brick wall. The pass catcher for Washington is McNichols and he has 17 targets on the season. Last week, he garnered six targets and finished with 11.8 FPTS. Seattle is tied with New England for the most receptions (47) allowed to running backs this season while seeing the most targets (60).
