The Washington Commanders made headlines on Sunday as they opted to bench their standout rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, during the second half of their regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. With their playoff berth already secured, the Commanders, boasting an impressive 11-5 record, aimed to protect their young star for the postseason.
Entering Week 18, the Commanders were vying for positioning, potentially locking in as the sixth or seventh seed in the NFC. The significance of their matchup against the Cowboys (7-9) could not be understated, with high stakes on the line. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn had stated earlier, "We’re going to go after as hard as we can," which raised expectations among fans. But as the game unfolded, the decision to bench Daniels became evident as the team trailed 9-3 at halftime.
Daniels ended his day with disappointing statistics, completing 6 of 12 passes for 38 yards and adding 27 rushing yards on four carries. His performance was far from his season's standard, where he had thrown for 3,568 yards with 33 total touchdowns and established himself as the likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The rookie had even made history by racking up 864 rushing yards, setting the record for NFL rookie quarterbacks.
During the third quarter, with the Cowboys having taken the lead, Quinn chose to substitute Marcus Mariota for Daniels. The decision was labeled as a precautionary measure rather than due to any announced injury to Daniels. This move quickly bore fruit, as Mariota led the Commanders on their first touchdown drive of the game, connecting with tight end Zach Ertz on a 4-yard pass, bringing the score to 10-9 and giving the Commanders their first lead of the afternoon.
The change sparked immediate success, as Mariota completed all five of his first passes for 60 yards on this pivotal touchdown drive. This shift proved timely and might have salvaged the Commanders' hopes, at least for the matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, who they could face again next week depending on the outcomes of the day’s games.
While the decision to bench Daniels has drawn scrutiny, it is understandable considering the Coaches' mindset to preserve the quarterback's health for the playoffs. The risk of exposing their leading player to possible injury outweighed the value of the game. Kaliningrad by today's reckoning, the Commanders certainly faced the reality of potentially falling to the seventh seed if they lost, which would lead to facing the Eagles instead of the opportunity to face teams like the Los Angeles Rams or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Daniels' impressive inaugural season was highlighted well even before Sunday’s game, with records and accolades filling the books. He has led the resurgence of the Commanders under Quinn's new leadership, allowing them to reach heights not seen since their Super Bowl victory back during the early '90s. Achieving the best record since 1991 confirmed the shift of fortunes for this franchise, with fans revitalized and hopeful for what’s to come.
Nonetheless, as the playoffs approach, the focus shifts from personal accolades to the team’s collective success. The Commanders’ move to protect Daniels not only demonstrates their investment in his future but also reflects on their determination to make a significant run through the playoffs.
It's crunch time now for the Commanders. Deciding to rest a key player during the final game of the regular season risks losing momentum, but it suggests strategic foresight. The NFL playoffs can be unforgiving, and the Commanders seem determined to step onto the field with all their key players, especially if their star quarterback is to lead them. The lessons gleaned from this regular season's rollercoaster experience should only fire up the team as they set their eyes on postseason glory. Only time will reveal if the decision will pay off or haunt them.