To upset the No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions on the road, the Washington Commanders knew they’d probably have to be perfect. They knew they’d have to pull out every trick from their bag to steal points, possessions, and generally keep the Lions on their toes.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn would get something close to vindication several drives later when he dialed up a brazen passing play on a fourth-down from the Lions’ nine-yard line.

The Commanders took a major gamble with Jayden Daniels in the lineup on fourth down. But Marcus Mariota ended up getting criticized.

Well, it’s January of 2025. Daniels just led the Commanders to a huge upset win over the Detroit Lions. He just, as my colleague Robert Zeglinski wrote, cemented the greatest rookie QB season in NFL history.

The Washington Commanders head into the playoffs with a rookie sensation at quarterback and an invaluable backup who embodies leadership and resilience.

Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota had some high praise for rookie, Jayden Daniels's future after Week 18

With the Commanders opting to sit Jayden Daniels in the second half due to leg soreness, Marcus Mariota came on and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with two seconds remaining to give Washington a 23-19 win over the Cowboys.

Jayden Daniels revealed the unexpected reason he was forced to leave the Washington Commanders win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has given his thoughts on Marcus Mariota's game-winning drive against the Dallas Cowboys.