Sam Darnold Cleared for Week 3: Updated Seahawks vs Commanders Odds

• Sam Darnold is off the Seahawks injury report heading into Week 3
• Seattle visits Washington on Sunday with Marcus Mariota starting for the Commanders
• Keep reading for the updated Seahawks vs Commanders odds and what Darnold’s return means for the spread

Seattle’s starting quarterback is on track to be back on the field Sunday. Sam Darnold practiced in full Thursday and Friday, and he carries no game status for the trip to Washington.

The Commanders are dealing with the opposite problem. Jayden Daniels is sidelined with a dislocated left elbow, so Marcus Mariota gets the start at Northwest Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here’s a look at the updated Seahawks vs Commanders odds and what the two quarterback updates mean for Sunday’s matchup.

Seahawks vs Commanders Odds

Seattle is a 7.5-point road favorite, which means the Seahawks need to win by eight or more to cover. Their -370 moneyline carries an implied win probability of about 79%, while Washington at +290 sits around 26%.

The total sits at 40.5. Those prices put Seattle firmly in the favorite’s role on the Week 3 NFL Odds board, but winning and covering are two different bets.

Odds as of September 25 at BetMGM. American prices rounded from decimal odds. New users can claim the BetMGM promo code before betting Week 3.

You can also compare the outright winner prices through prediction market apps. The Kalshi card below covers which team wins, regardless of the spread.

Prediction Markets

Seahawks vs Commanders Winner Odds

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Kalshi

Seattle

77%

Washington

25%

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Sam Darnold Cleared to Return for Week 3

Darnold lasted just five offensive snaps in Seattle’s Week 1 win over New England before leaving with what was first called a hip injury. It was later labeled a glute issue, and he sat out the Week 2 trip to Arizona.

The week went about as well as Seattle could hope. Darnold was limited Wednesday, then a full participant Thursday and Friday on the Seahawks’ official injury report. No designation means he’s available, and he’s expected to return to his usual role.

Seattle wasn’t in a rush, though, and for good reason. Drew Lock started in Arizona and the Seahawks rolled to a 31-7 win. That gave them a safety net if Darnold needed more time.

Washington doesn’t have the same luxury. Mariota is starting in place of Daniels, and the Commanders hadn’t offered a return timeline for their franchise QB as of Friday morning. Washington is also 0-2, so this is a tough spot to be without its best player.

How Darnold’s Return Impacts the Spread

Two quarterback stories hit this line in the same week. Seattle is getting its starter back, and Washington is losing its own. It’s hard to pin the current number on either one, and the market has plenty of other factors baked in.

What stands out is the ask. Laying 7.5 on the road means the Seahawks can’t just win, they need an eight-point margin in someone else’s building. Lock proved the offense can move without Darnold, so his return is more about stability than a sudden jump in firepower.

On the other side, Mariota gives Washington a veteran who’s been around the league, but the Commanders are clearly a different team without Daniels. His ability to keep drives alive will matter if Washington is going to stay within a touchdown.

The 40.5 total is worth watching alongside the spread. Darnold’s availability answers a major injury question, but it doesn’t tell us how sharp he’ll be after the layoff or how Washington’s offense will look with Mariota.

At +7.5, Washington can lose by a touchdown and still cover. That’s the important distinction at this price: Darnold being available makes Seattle’s outlook clearer, but it doesn’t make laying more than a touchdown an automatic bet.