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

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

Daniels’ day is done. The Commanders pulled him at halftime, placing him in bubble wrap for the second half as the team looks ahead to the postseason. Marcus Mariota started the second half. The Cowboys started third quarterback Trey Lance, who is 14-of-24 for 167 yards, but the Cowboys are 0-for-4 in the red zone.

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.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels joined an exclusive club after his Pro Bowl selection. However, it came as no surprise to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota. The former No. 2 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft had some high praise about the rookie quarterback following their Week 18 win.