WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Commanders' outlook went from dire to hopeful pretty quickly.
It's amazing what a few well-timed turnovers can do.
If Washington fans had forgotten, it's hard to blame them. The Commanders had only 10 takeaways all of last season, the second fewest in the NFL. Through the first two weeks in 2026, they had zero. Then an early fumble and two interceptions lifted them to a 33-31 win over defending champion Seattle on Sunday.
“We’ve got a wall, big wall outside of my office for takeaways. For two weeks, it has been empty and devastatingly empty,” coach Dan Quinn said. “To have some that get filled up onto that was a big deal.”
With Jayden Daniels out with an elbow injury, Marcus Mariota stepped in and threw three touchdown passes. Two of those came after turnovers gave Washington a short field. The final turnover led even more directly to a touchdown when Kain Medrano picked off Sam Darnold's pass and returned it 50 yards to the end zone. That gave the Commanders a nine-point lead late in the fourth quarter. They were able to hold on.
After avoiding an 0-3 start, Washington now heads to London to face Indianapolis. After that, the Commanders host the New York Giants. It's certainly possible for Washington to stay afloat until Daniels returns, and Quinn said Monday the star quarterback will practice in some fashion this week.
The defense is playing well against the run, having allowed 3.8 yards per carry through three games. Opponents have only 10 rushing first downs against Washington so far.
“It was a good win because we had to earn it all the way down to the last drive. Had to earn it," rookie linebacker Sonny Styles said. “Got a lot of bodies down, some guys having to step up all over the place. I think that says a lot about the team.”
Scoring touchdowns is only half the battle for the Commanders, who have now twice been hit with crucial penalties during post-TD celebrations. Stefon Diggs cost them a chance to go for a 2-point conversion in the season opener when he jumped into the goal post. On Sunday, Washington was hit with a 15-yard penalty after Medrano's touchdown. That pushed the extra point back, and when it was missed, the vibe of the final few minutes changed dramatically.
“It was a player on the field that was not in uniform, which resulted in the 48-yard extra point and miss of that. And you can imagine my thrill with that,” Quinn said. “So, we had a good discussion about that in the meeting today.”
Terry McLaurin had one of his best games since the start of last season, catching six passes for 77 yards and a touchdown. He made a nice adjustment to haul in a 30-yard TD pass from Mariota that gave Washington a 14-point lead in the second half.
“I love playing at home, I love hearing the ‘Terry’ chant. So that was unbelievable to see the crowd packed in a rainy game,” McLaurin said. “It wasn’t pretty, but we earned that one, and I think that’s what sets the tone when you earn a win like that.”
Some ups and downs are expected for a rookie receiver, and Antonio Williams missed an opportunity when he dropped a deep pass from Mariota in the third quarter.
Quinn said LB Leo Chenal had surgery on his neck after a scary injury in the second quarter. LB Frankie Luvu (groin) and TE Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) are expected back at practice this week. RB Rachaad White dealt with a shoulder injury but still had a key run late in the game.
The previous time Washington had three takeaways in a regular-season game was Week 6 in 2023 against Atlanta. The Commanders also had five in a playoff win at Detroit two seasons ago.
The Commanders head overseas for a second straight year. They lost to Miami in Spain last season.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Washington Commanders linebacker Kain Medrano (56) celebrating his touchdown with teammates linebacker Sonny Styles (52) and cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) during the second half of an NFL football game against Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
NEW YORK (AP) — David Stearns doesn't get a do-over. He knows that all too well.
One day after the New York Mets finished last in the NL East for the first time in 23 years, the team's embattled president of baseball operations was asked a pointed question.
Knowing what he knows now, would he have taken a full swing at re-signing Pete Alonso?
“I think that's a very fair question. The truth is in this job, I don't get mulligans,” Stearns said Monday. "I also recognize Pete had a tremendous year. And the totality of our production at first base wasn’t good enough.”
When the Mets didn't attempt to retain Alonso in free agency last fall, their homegrown franchise home run leader bolted for a $155 million, five-year contract with Baltimore as Stearns focused on improving the pitching and defense instead.
“I think I’ll retire the phrase `run prevention,’” Stearns said with a grin. “I don’t know that that one worked particularly well.”
Alonso topped the American League with 43 homers and 113 RBIs, playing in every game for the third consecutive season as the 31-year-old slugger became the first player in major league history to win an RBI crown in both leagues.
New York, meanwhile, never recovered from a 12-game losing streak in April. Despite a record $358 million opening-day payroll, the Mets struggled badly at the plate, were mediocre on the mound and finished 74-88 for their worst mark since 2017.
“This past weekend that we just experienced in Washington, where you are literally playing out the string, it’s miserable. That is a miserable experience for players, for coaches, for executives,” Stearns said during a 33-minute news conference at Citi Field to wrap up the season.
“I think we have an extraordinarily motivated organization, from ownership on down, to ensure that never happens again.”
The absence of Alonso at first base was magnified when lineup mainstays Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor were both sidelined for long stretches because of calf injuries.
Soto finished with a .908 OPS, the second-lowest of his career, while Lindor set full-season career lows with 49 RBIs, three stolen bases, a .225 batting average and a .733 OPS.
Mets first basemen had 18 homers, 77 RBIs and a .667 OPS — the third-lowest OPS at the position, ahead of only Seattle and Arizona.
Alonso received standing ovations from Mets fans before every at-bat during the Orioles’ three-game sweep at Citi Field this month. He took a rare curtain call on the road Sept. 15, when his 300th career homer tied the score for Baltimore in the ninth inning and chants of “Fire Stearns!” rang out from the crowd of 28,097.
Last week, the Mets added former Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey to the front office when he was hired as senior adviser for baseball operations. Falvey will report directly to Stearns.
New York played better late in the season, going 27-22 after the Aug. 3 trade deadline despite a massive selloff and 40-41 overall under Andy Green, who took over as interim manager when Carlos Mendoza was fired June 26.
Green was given the full-time gig and a three-year contract last week.
Part of the improvement was fueled by rookie outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing, who combined for 31 homers and 47 stolen bases while playing strong defense. Rookie pitcher Nolan McLean went 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts.
But going into a critical offseason for Stearns, the Mets have major question marks at first base, second base, in the bullpen and the rotation.
“Over the second half of the season, last few months of the season, we saw some really encouraging signs and we saw some elements of our team take shape that gives us all great optimism for both the near- and long-term future,” Stearns said.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Baltimore Orioles Pete Alonso hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)
Baltimore Orioles' Pete Alonso, center, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Mets' Juan Soto (22) walks back to the dugout after he was hit by a pitch by Washington Nationals pitcher Richard Lovelady during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Andy Green, right, responds to question during a news conference where he was introduced as the New York Mets new manager as President of Baseball Operations David Stearns, left, looks on before a baseball game against the Texas Rangers Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Hawkins)
