Sam Darnold threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns in his return, but three Seattle turnovers proved costly in a 33-31 loss to Washington.
Sam Darnold looked healthy. He looked productive. For long stretches Sunday, he looked exactly like the quarterback Seattle hoped would return from injury.
But one disastrous throw helped turn an impressive comeback effort into a frustrating 33-31 Seahawks loss to the Washington Commanders.
Returning after missing Week 2 with a glute injury suffered in Seattle's season opener, Darnold completed 31 of 45 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns.
He repeatedly moved the Seahawks through Washington's defense and helped Seattle finish with 437 total yards, nearly 180 more than the Commanders.
The problem was turnovers.
Seattle gave the ball away three times while Washington didn't commit a turnover, and Darnold's second interception produced the biggest swing of the afternoon.
Trailing 27-24 with just over four minutes remaining, Darnold tried to attack the middle of the field. Washington linebacker Kain Medrano intercepted the pass and returned it for a touchdown, suddenly pushing the deficit to 33-24.
Darnold wasn't finished.
He responded by leading another scoring drive, finishing it with a 7-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp with 2:55 remaining to pull Seattle within 33-31.
The Seahawks never got the ball back.
Washington converted enough on the ground to drain the remaining clock, handing Seattle its first loss of the season.
Darnold's chemistry with Jaxon Smith-Njigba was immediately apparent. Smith-Njigba caught 10 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring catches of one and 11 yards. Darnold also threw touchdown passes to Eric Saubert and Kupp.
That's the encouraging part for Seattle.
After playing only one series in the opener and watching Drew Lock start Week 2, Darnold showed little rust. He pushed the ball downfield, generated four touchdown drives and nearly brought Seattle back from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.
But his stat line also tells the story of the loss. Four touchdowns were impressive. Two interceptions - particularly the late pick-six - were costly.
MORE: Commanders Spoil Seahawks' Comeback, End Seattle Win Streak with 33-31 Escape
Seattle's offense did enough to win Sunday. Darnold showed his injury shouldn't be a major concern going forward.
What the Seahawks couldn't overcome was giving Washington three extra possessions in a game decided by two points.
