Consider this reversal of fortune.
The defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks are taking their unbeaten record on the road and getting back their starting quarterback. Their host opponent, the Washington Commanders, lost their starting quarterback and will start backup Marcus Mariota while Jayden Daniels rehabs his injured elbow.
When the man that has led teams to 14 win seasons the past two years, Sam Darnold, was knocked out of action in the Seahawks home opener against the team they beat in last February’s Super Bowl, the New England Patriots, he was replaced by Drew Lock. The veteran backup led a fourth quarter comeback to edge New England in the opener, 13-10, and then guided a second straight win on the road last Sunday over the Arizona Cardinals, 31-7.
Darnold is now recovered from his glute soft tissue injury and will start today at Northwest Stadium against a Commanders squad still looking for their first win this season and needing to rely on their backup quarterback. Darnold guided the Minnesota Vikings and Seahawks to consecutive 14 regular season wins the past two years and now returns, which has caused bettors to flock to the books to get down on his chances with long lines snaked out the door.
Since he went down in the opener just five offensive plays into the season, the Seahawks have been motivated to compensate for his loss. Now, they get him back at the same time the Commanders are super focused to compensate for having to play their backup QB.
Sometimes things just fall together perfectly.