The Washington Commanders made their playoff ambitions known with a thrilling 23-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, clinching the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs. The game, held on January 7, 2024, at AT&T Stadium, was filled with nail-biting moments, but no one created more excitement than quarterback Marcus Mariota.
Coming off the bench for rookie Jayden Daniels at halftime, Mariota epitomized resilience and leadership. He completed 15 of 18 passes for 161 yards and delivered two touchdown passes, including the decisive score to wide receiver Terry McLaurin with just three seconds left on the clock.
This game was more than just another match; it was pivotal for playoff positioning. Following Green Bay’s last-second loss to Chicago earlier on the same day, Washington's need to win shifted from urgency to necessity. Even if the Commanders had fallen short against Dallas, their playoff spot was suddenly secure.
Yet, it didn't start well for Washington. The first half was rough, with Washington accumulating only 64 total yards and trailing 9-3 at halftime. Daniels was ineffective, managing just 38 yards before being sidelined due to soreness, necessitating the switch to Mariota. "I told them just because we can does not mean we need to," said head coach Dan Quinn, conveying his strategy for protecting their star rookie moving forward.
Mariota got right to work as the second half commenced. His early presence sparked new life, leading to immediate results: on his first drive, he hit tight end Zach Ertz for a touchdown, bringing Washington to its first lead at 10-9.
But the excitement didn't stop there. With heavy pressure from the Dallas defense, and facing fourth-and-1 late, Mariota pulled off a stunning 33-yard run, pushing the team back toward scoring territory. He later found Ertz again, establishing the groundwork for the winning play.
The highlight came moments later when Mariota, showing calm under pressure, connected with McLaurin on a perfectly placed five-yard touchdown pass. "Terry’s made unbelievable plays throughout the entire year," said Mariota, praising his teammate for the key score. This marked McLaurin's franchise-record 13th touchdown reception of the season.
Washington's victory capped off their regular season at 12-5, their highest number of wins since 1991. With the Commanders en route for the playoffs, they are riding high on the momentum of their late-game heroics and series of winning streaks. Mariota's late-game heroics demonstrate the Commanders' ability to rally when needed most, becoming evident throughout this season filled with clutch performances.
This triumph didn’t just earn Washington the sixth seed; it showcased the potential of Mariota as he steps back on the NFL stage, embracing his role not merely as the backup quarterback, but as a mentor and leader. "That was awesome," Mariota reflected postgame. "I just felt like I had an opportunity there, and our guys did a great job blocking it.”
With this game serving as both highlight and milestone, Washington now awaits to see who their first opponent will be. It could be either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Los Angeles Rams, yet regardless of the outcome, they are determined not to end their playoff run quietly. The entire season has been marked by dramatic wins, with Mariota at the helm providing stability and direction to this hopeful franchise.
“To execute when we got to have it, we’ll take this momentum onto next week,” said McLaurin, signaling the team’s readiness to face whatever challenges lie ahead. The Commanders are prepared to disrupt the narrative of their recent playoff struggles and aim for glory as they head onto the bigger stage of the NFL playoffs.