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.

"Washington has been advised that at some point the referee can award a score if this type of behavior happens again." The phrase had Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels—and many others in Philadelphia that day—confused as well.

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. Mariota never made a start but got the majority of playing time in two regular-season games and led the Commanders to victory both times.

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

Johnson, who was fired after one season as Eagles offensive coordinator, has played a significant role in helping prepare Jayden Daniels to succeed as a rookie quarterback.

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.

Cameron Ward, 2024′s national leader in touchdown passes as well as the NCAA Division I record-holder for career touchdown passes, has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Manning Award, presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to the top quarterback in the nation.

After “re-calibrating” with free agents to reach the NFC Championship, the Commanders must sort through more than two dozen to re-sign. It won’t be easy.

Ward, 2024’s national leader in touchdown passes as well as the NCAA Division I record-holder for career touchdown passes, has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Manning Award, presented by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to the top quarterback in the nation.