Jaxon Smith-Njigba and All of Seahawks Projected to Light Up Commanders on Sunday Night Football

The Seahawks take the long flight from Seattle to Washington where the Commanders host the NFC West leaders on Sunday Night Football.

Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates on the goal post after a touchdown during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Washington Commanders’ offense continues to battle injuries, leading to the 2024 magic leaving the building over their last five games (1-4). They sit third in the NFC East with a 3-5 record, while facing an uphill battle as well vs. their conference (1-4). The Commanders won’t have Terry McLaurin this week, and Deebo Samuel has been missing in action for the past three weeks.

The NFC West had settled into a three-team race. Seattle (5-2) has yet to lose on the road. They come into this week with a two-game winning streak, with the most points scored (193) in their division. WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the top-rated wide receiver coming into Week 9.

Week 9 Sunday Night Football Game Info: Commanders vs. Seahawks

TV: NBC

Time: 8:20 PM EST

Spread (DraftKings): Seattle – 2.5 points

Over/Under: 48.5

To help game managers set their rosters in Week 9, here’s a look at the game preview and projections for the Seahawks and Commanders:

Seattle Seahawks Player Projections Week 9 | Shawn Childs

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Darnold passed for 295 yards or more in three starts (295/2, 341/4, and 295/2) despite averaging only 31.3 passes in those games and 27.4 for the season. His shining stat comes from his yards per pass attempt (9.1 – 27 completions gained 20 yards or more, with six of those plays reaching the 40-yard mark).

DraftKings set his over/under at 243.5 yards (-112). Darnold is -155 to toss over 1.5 touchdowns.

The Commanders rank 29th in passing yards allowed (2,087), while allowing a league high 8.4 yards per pass attempt and 15 passing touchdowns.

• Russell Wilson (168/0)

·      Jordan Love (292/2)

·      Geno Smith (289/3)

·      Michael Penix (313/2)

·      Justin Herbert (166/1)

·      Caleb Williams (252/1)

·      Dak Prescott (264/3)

·      Patrick Mahomes (299/3)

The Sam Darnold-to-Jaxon Smith-Njigba connection has been hot over the past three games (8/132/1, 8/162/1, and 8/123/1), giving the Seahawks’ passing game an explosive floor if he can continue to hit his top wideout deep downfield.

I have Darnold projected to pass for 304 yards with two passing scores, painting a winning picture on the over side of his passing yards prop.

Running Backs Props: Seahawks and Commanders | DraftKings

Seahawks Running Back Projections Week 9

The running back committee in Seattle remains messy from a fantasy perspective, but it looks a little cleaner in the prop market. Kenneth Walker has been the better ball carrier (4.5 yards per carry) while gaining over 65 rushing yards in four (13/105/1, 19/81, 10/86, and 17/66) of his past six starts. His scoreless streak stands at four games, with a losing pulse in the passing game (one catch or fewer over his last six matchups.

DraftKings set Walker’s over/under at 52.5 rushing yards (-114o), with the prop market favoring the over. He is +130 to score an anytime touchdown. Over his last 18 games, Walker scored 12 times.

Zach Charbonnet gains his advantage at the goal line (five touchdowns over the past four weeks. He’s reached the endzone in four consecutive games. Seattle gave him 12 rushing attempts or more in five of his six matchups, but he has yet to reach 50 yards due to averaging only 2.8 yards per carry.

Charbonnet rushed over 40 yards (over/under of 40.5 yards at DraftKings) twice (Week 1 – 12/47/1 and Week 7 – 12/49/2). He is +105 to score an anytime touchdown.

Six running backs have rushed for over 55 yards against Washington.

• Josh Jacobs (23/84/1)

·      Ashton Jeanty (17/63)

·      Bijan Robinson (17/75/1)

·      D’Andre Swift (14/108)

·      Javonte Williams (19/116/1)

·      Isiah Pacheco (12/58)

Oct 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Commanders Running Back Projections Week 9

The Commanders have struggled to get Jacory Croskey-Merritt going since his big game in Week 5 (14/111/2). His rushing yards declined in his last three contests (17/61, 13/33, and 9/25) despite maintaining RB1 snaps. This year, he gained 4.9 yards per carry, highlighting his explosive potential if getting into space at the second level of a defense.

DraftKings lowered his over/under in rushing yards (43.5) this week, creating a better window for success. Croskey-Merritt is +130 to score an anytime touchdown.

Seattle has the best running back run defense (3.0 yards per carry). As good as this looks on paper, I don’t expect them to finish the year with this much of an edge in this area. The Seahawks have plenty of risk defending backs in the passing game (48/365/2 on 61 targets).

Commanders Players Projections Week 9 | Shawn Childs

Jayden Daniels will make his sixth start in Week 9. His completion rate (61.0%) is well below his rookie season (69.0%), and he has failed to pass for over 233 yards in a game. He has one pass score or fewer in three of his five games.

DraftKings posted an over/under of 224 passing yards (-133u). The loss of Terry McLaurin is a significant factor in his prop line going over. Given the recent poor play by Deebo Samuel, the more brilliant play would be to avoid any investment in his over/under line.

The Seahawks’ defense has allowed the fourth-most pass attempts (276), but they rank 18th in passing yards allowed (1,776). Quarterbacks gain only 6.4 yards per pass attempt, with 11 passing touchdowns.

• Brock Purdy (277/2)

·      Aaron Rodgers (203/1)

·      Spencer Rattler (218/1)

·      Kyler Murray (200/2)

·      Baker Mayfield (379/2)

·      Trevor Lawrence (258/2)

·      C.J. Stroud (229/1)

Commanders and Seahawks Wide Receiver Projections Week 9

Commanders, Seahawks Wide Receiver Props | DraftKings

The top receivers in Seattle and Washington are going in opposite directions.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba blossomed with Sam Darnold behind center. He’s gaining 16.4 yards per catch, well above 2024 (11.3) and his rookie campaign (10.0). The Seahawks’ top wideout is on pace to gain 1,989 receiving yards. His floor has been exceptional in six games (9/124, 8/103, 5/96/1, 8/132/1, 8/162/1, and 8/123/1), leading DraftKings to post a high over/under of 99.5 receiving yards (-112). He is -115 to score an anytime touchdown.

The Commanders rank 29th in receiving yards allowed to wide receivers (1,305). They allow 13.9 yards per catch, with a favorable catch rate (64.8%). Three wide receivers gained over 100 yards against Washington.

• Tre Tucker (8/145/3)

·      Drake London (8/145/1)

·      CeeDee Lamb (5/110/1)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) rushes for yards during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 20-12. | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Based on his play and the combination of the Seahawks’ deep passing game vs. the weakness in coverage downfield, Smith-Njigba looks poised to gain over 100 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive game.

Deebo Samuel limps into Week 9 with two empty games (4/15 and 3/11) while sitting out Week 7. He played well in four (7/77, 7/44/11, 6/72/1, and 8/96/1) of his first five starts. Samuel has plenty of experience playing against Seattle (47/766/4 with 17 rushes for 117 yards and three touchdowns over eight games). Deebo had six targets or fewer in four of his last five matchups.

Surprisingly, the prop market is taking an over position on his over/under in receiving yards (53.5).

The Seahawks hold wide receivers to low yards per catch (11.3) while ranking ninth in receiving yards allowed. Six wideouts have gained more than 55 receiving yards.

• Ricky Pearsall (4/108)

·      Chris Olave (10/57)

·      Marvin Harrison (6/66/1)

·      Emeka Egbuka (7/163/1)

·      Brian Thomas (8/90/1)

·      Jaylin Noel (4/77)