QB Movie Review: Sam Darnold continues to play as one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks

• Darnold’s success this season is due to elite efficiency: The Seahawks quarterback leads all players at the position overall, thanks in large part to his league-best 9.6 yards per attempt and a turnover-worthy play percentage of just 1.1%.
• Against Jacksonville, Darnold did most of his damage attacking downfield: On throws targeted 10 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he went 7-for-12 for 232 yards and recorded five big throws.
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Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks got back on track on Sunday with a convincing victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran quarterback delivered another standout performance, underscoring that last season’s success was no fluke.

Darnold posted an overall grade of 94.6 – the highest of any quarterback in Week 5 and the best single-game grade of any quarterback so far this season.

Highest single-game marks in 2025 (quarterbacks)

Darnold’s success this season has been due to elite efficiency. He leads all quarterbacks overall, thanks in large part to his league-best 9.6 yards per attempt and a turnover-worthy play rate of just 1.1%.

Against Jacksonville, Darnold did most of his damage attacking downfield. On throws targeted 10 or more yards beyond the line of scrimmage, he went 7-for-12 for 232 yards and recorded five big throws.

Let’s dive into the film and break down how Darnold dissected the Jaguars’ defense – and how he continues to build on an excellent 2024 campaign.

A look at the film

The Seahawks start by using pre-snap moves to force the Jaguars to tilt their coverage. The first move pulls a safety down into the box, indicating a single high coverage. When the receiver returns to his original alignment – ​​and the safety doesn’t follow suit – it confirms to Darnold that Jacksonville is likely in Cover 3.

Sam Darnold with a beautiful layered throw to JSN pic.twitter.com/QFq3wsGNMO

— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) October 13, 2025

Seattle uses a variation on the flood concept, attacking all three levels of the defense with a deep route, an intermediate deep over and a flat route. The deep opposite side forces the defense to communicate and shift coverage responsibilities. Once the hook defender settles under the flat route, Darnold anticipates it and lays a perfect ball on the deep over for Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a big gain.

As previously noted, Darnold’s deep passing was exceptional on Sunday – a continuation of his seasonal trend. After this performance, he now has a league-best grade of 99.9 for throws aimed at 20 yards or more downfield – the highest of any quarterback.

Casual 55 air gauge dime from Darnold pic.twitter.com/CPeEW6t4i8

— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) October 13, 2025

Darnold comes to the line and “cans” the original play, indicating Seattle called two plays in the huddle. Based on the defensive look, he has the freedom to choose which one he wants to run. When the Jaguars line up in a double-height shell, Darnold chooses to attack it. Seattle has a sailing concept in place, and it’s unfolding exactly as Darnold expects against Jacksonville’s coverage.

The sail concept – like the flood – attacks three levels of defense on one side of the field. It is designed to open the intermediate route by stretching the secondary route with a deep post over it.

That post is a cautionary tale: If the quarterback gets the look he wants, he can shoot. Darnold gets just that – a flat-footed safety – takes a subtle step up in the pocket and fires a perfect ball 55 yards into the air. Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t break stride on his way to the end zone.

It’s not just about the deep ball; Darnold has been deadly accurate all season. Among quarterbacks with at least 75 dropbacks, his adjusted completion rate of 81.9% ranks third, while his accuracy rate of 73.9% tops the league.

The sideline angle doesn’t do this throw justice. Perfectly placed breakout of Darnold’s distant hash pic.twitter.com/kr69cOTDBU

— Nick Akridge (@PFF_NickAkridge) October 13, 2025

Darnold is on the line again when he recognizes a Cover 0 look from the Jaguars. The slot corner is aligned with heavy internal leverage, giving Cooper Kupp a clear advantage on his breakout route. All Darnold has to do is confirm that the two cornerbacks are not exchanging responsibilities, then usher Kupp to the sideline.

He does just that – and more – delivering a perfectly placed throw from the far hash into a collapsing pocket. There’s not much else to break down: It’s a flawless rush into the red zone for a touchdown that pushes Seattle’s lead to double digits.

The bottom line

Seattle’s decision to replace Geno Smith with Sam Darnold was a risky one, but Darnold’s performance has more than justified the move. He is currently playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and if he maintains this level, there is every reason to believe the Seahawks can compete in the NFC.