SEATTLE (AP) There have only been a few instances in Pete Carrolls long tenure that he has seen the Seattle Seahawks humbled by a true thumping from their opponents.Last week was one of them. And considering whats on the horizon, Carroll cant allow that 34-point lo s to linger for his team.Seattle begins a two-week stretch of what looks like Sidney Crosby Jersey must-win games on Sunday when it hosts the Washington Commanders. Seattles 37-3 lo s last Sunday at Baltimore showed the gap that remains between the Seahawks and the elite teams in the league. It was the second-worst lo s of Carrolls time in Seattle.But while there are plenty of deficiencies that were on full display last week, the Seahawks (5-3) are still tied for the NFC West lead. That makes Sundays game against Washington and next week at the Rams so important for Seattle because of a four-game stretch that follows: two games against San Francisco, a trip to Dallas and a visit from Philadelphia.ADVERTISEMENT Sometimes when you win or youre having some succe s, the details of the game might get away from you and the winning might disguise that, Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner said. Sometimes having a lo s like that or having a lo s in general reminds you how important those things are through the season.Somewhat remarkably after lo ses to the Bears and the Giants, the Commanders (4-5) are just on the outside of the NFC wild-card race. Its all in front of us, coach Ron Rivera said. I really do believe that. Despite seeming to pivot on what this season could be after trading two of their best defensive linemen, the Commanders responded by winning last week at New England. The Commanders have won two of their last three road games and Carroll was quick to point out how tough Washington played Philadelphia in a pair of one-score lo ses.Its a great opportunity to go play against a Rutger Mcgroarty Jersey good football team," Commanders quarterback Sam Howell said of the Seahawks. "Theyre doing a good job on both sides of the ball and theyve won a good amount of games this year and we know its going to take our best to go up there and get a win. Its an exciting opportunity.RIVERA SZNSince Rivera took over control of football operations for Washington, Rod Buskas Jersey the team is 9-3 in November. While that could portend some succe s, he said the focus this season with new owners in charge is on developing Howell, a refrain he has repeated for several weeks. You look at what were doing, and we continue to be competitive, Rivera said Wednesday. Weve had a lot of change, a lot of things that were doing differently, and just trying to put it together. For me, the biggest thing is just to continue to play hard and continue to do the best we can and hopefully win some football games. Howell is coming off throwing a touchdown pa s and an interception in a victory at New England. His 2,471 yards pa sing rank second in the NFL, and his nine interceptions are tied for first all part of his growing pains. BETTER GENOSeattle would like to see a cleaner performance from quarterback Geno Smith than it Paul Coffey Jersey has received in the past few games. Not all of it is Smiths fault as injuries on the offensive line have eroded continuity and led to pre sure i sues. But Smith needs to be more careful with the ball after throwing six interceptions in the past four games. He had just 11 interceptions in 17 games last season.HOME DEBUTSomeone who knows the Commanders well is new Seattle defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who'll make his home debut Sunday. Williams played 41 snaps in his first game with Seattle last week following his trade from the New York Giants.It was a whirlwind week for Williams and a far more difficult transition than the last time he was involved in a midseason trade when he stayed in the same city after being dealt from the Jets to the Giants.It was a lot to digest last week, but I feel more comfortable this week going into it," Williams said. "Feel more comfortable with the playbook. Feel more comfortable with my teammates and coaches and things like that, so I can just focus on ball.In nine career games against Washington, Williams has 27 tackles, four sacks and one fumble recovery.DEFENSIVE CHANGES Washingtons defense looks much different since trading pa s rushers Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Because rookie K.J. Henrys sack was negated by a questionable roughing the pa ser penalty last week, the Commanders had zero against Mac Jones, but still held the Patriots to 17 points. One of the keys has been improved secondary play from rookies Emmanuel Forbes and Quan Martin and consistency from safety Kam Curl, who has been on the field for 350 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown. Hes been a solid force, Rivera said. Hes a terrific football player, a guy that is a veteran leader now. You see his play, its very savvy and its very timely. You see him come up with solid plays at the right time in terms Bryan Watson Jersey of third down and making a big tackle or knocking the ball away. ___AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed.___AP NFL: