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.

Mariota completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 regular season, then took two rush attempts for one yard in two playoff games.

The Washington Commanders have three quarterbacks ready to go for Sunday's NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Washington Commanders are on the road against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game. Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the presumed Offe

If the Commanders’ rookie quarterback seems especially poised, that’s by design. His father drilled it into him at an early age.

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota attempts to flip the ball the fellow quarterback Jayden Daniels, but is tackled by Detroit Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad prior to getting the pass off.

As early as the spring, the Commanders had a feeling Daniels would excel as a rookie. By the end of training camp, they were convinced.

Down came the "Ball Is Life" towels, one of the many mantras the Commanders adopted this year. Down came the jersey collections, with Jayden Daniels' and Bobby Wagner's among the most impressive. Around came helmets and footballs to be signed,

A day after the Commanders’ magical season ended, emotions remained raw. And with ore than two dozen players about to hit free agency, uncertainty loomed.