Washington Commanders (2-5-0) vs. Seattle Seahawks (5-2-0):

While the Commanders got off to a promising start against the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night, they ultimately dropped their third straight game, 28-7.

Although quarterback Jayden Daniels was ruled out due to a hamstring injury in Week 7, Washington got two major playmakers back in McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. There were still, however, missed opportunities on drives that were in part the reason for the Commanders’ loss. The team went for it on fourth down twice, and both attempts were thwarted by the Chiefs’ defense.

The Commanders’ defense kept Washington competitive despite a lack of points on the board and seemed to rattle Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Head coach Dan Quinn said the defense would see some changes, and those adjustments were working. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and linebacker Bobby Wagner intercepted Mahomes twice. Personnel changes to the Commanders’ defense also saw younger players getting a larger share of snaps: linebacker Jordan Magee played 58 snaps, while rookie cornerback Trey Amos played 68 and safety Tyler Owens played 25.

The Commanders will face off against the Seahawks, who are well-rested and healthy coming off a bye week, Sunday night. Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold has been slinging it for head coach Mike Macdonald, who went into the bye with a 27-19 win over the Texans. Albeit not Darnold’s best game of the season with a 54.8% completion rating, Seattle put up 316 all-purpose yards.

Standing out for the Seahawks on offense is wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who had eight receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown against the Texans. He’s a threat to the deep ball and can create explosive plays, something the Commanders’ defense struggled with in the second half of Monday night’s game. In the second half, the Chiefs put together three touchdown drives for a total of 249 yards and 105 of those yards came from just four plays, according to Commanders senior writer Zach Selby.

Seattle also has a strong ground game headed by running back Kenneth Walker II, who had 66 yards on 17 carries in Week 7, as well Zach Charbonnet, who had 12 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns the same week.

With the Philadelphia Eagles on bye this week, there likely won’t be much movement in the NFC East standings. However, a win over the Seahawks would help the Commanders’ bid for a return to the playoffs. Washington currently sits at No. 3 in the division and is hoping to break a three-game skid on Sunday.

As the Commanders prepare to host the Seahawks in primetime, let’s look at how the rest of the division stands heading into Week 9.