LANDOVER, Md. — As the Washington Commanders await the return of quarterback Jayden Daniels from injury — a frustratingly familiar story over the past two seasons — they can only hope to be in better shape when he returns than they were when he left.
For this to happen, Washington must make change happen quickly. And while the task seemed daunting in Sunday’s home opener against the defending Super Bowl champions, that, as the saying goes, is why they play these games.
On a dreary, rainy day at Northwest Stadium, the Commanders picked up their first win in three games this season and ended the Seattle Seahawks’ 12-game winning streak dating back to last season. Washington left the field victorious for just the third time since last October, after surprising the Seahawks with three touchdowns from quarterback Marcus Mariota en route to a 33-31 victory.
With Mariota providing leadership to a group that desperately needed a confidence boost, the Commanders overcame a 10-catch, 128-yard, two-touchdown performance from Seahawks peerless receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (he’s absurdly great). They were opportunistic on defense, collecting three turnovers, including a 50-yard interception return for a touchdown, and stopping the Seahawks on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.
The combination allowed Washington to assuage the fears of its long-suffering fans, albeit perhaps only briefly, that another horrible season was a fait accompli after road losses to NFC East division rivals Philadelphia and Dallas to open the year.
Finally, the commanders achieve a victory, which is always a reason to rejoice. Or for their fans, at least exhale.
Mariota was the greatest catalyst for change.
“When you start with two division games on the road, it’s tough,” said Mariota, who completed 19 of 31 passes for 183 yards with no turnovers.
“It’s tough in this league. … You get knocked down at different times of the year. (Sunday’s win) says a lot about the guys in the locker room. One and two, it’s not where we want to be. But it was a huge win for us going forward.”
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The Commanders will count on Mariota to build on Sunday’s success.
It’s unclear when Daniels will return after suffering another dislocated elbow on his non-throwing left arm against the Cowboys a week ago. Last season, Daniels missed seven games due to the initial dislocated elbow and subsequent shutdown.
Over the past two seasons, he has missed 11 games due to elbow issues, a strained knee and a strained hamstring. Daniels, the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press, was sensational when he was able to suit up.
The problem is keeping him healthy.
This is why Mariota’s presence, both on and off the field, is so important to the commanders.
The crafty veteran, in his 12th year in the league, worked so hard against the Seahawks, he I needed a pick-me-up. At the end of the match, as Washington tried to maintain the victory, the 32-year-old disappeared into the locker room.
“I need IVs,” Mariota said, drawing laughter from reporters at the post-match news conference. “My workload hasn’t been this heavy in a while. My body wasn’t ready for it.
“A lot of credit goes to our training staff and our sports medicine team. It’s not easy to do, especially in the middle of a game like that. But yeah, I went to get an IV bag and I was able to come back.”
To Commanders All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin, Mariota looked like a young guy against the Seahawks.
“Marcus is an incredible person, a human being first and foremost,” said McLaurin, who had six catches for 77 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown in the third quarter as Washington took a 24-10 lead.
“He comes into our building every day to serve. When he’s in the backup role and Jayden is starting, he’s doing nothing supporting Jayden, supporting us and being communicative on the sidelines. When he’s there (playing), we wholeheartedly believe he could give us a chance to win a football game.”
This was undoubtedly the case on Sunday. But commanders still have much to do.
They were outscored by a total of 437-258 yards. They converted just one of their first 11 downs on third downs and finished 3 for 13. Without Seattle’s three turnovers, Sunday’s result could have been another disaster for the Commanders and their fans.
For now, Daniels is postponing surgery to repair his damaged elbow. When he returns, he will wear a corset. It’s unlikely, however, that the 25-year-old will be back for Washington’s Week 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts in London.
Whatever else Washington needs, Mariota will do his best to provide.
“You never really understand how much of an impact you have on those around you,” he said. “I have always believed that the more I can serve others and be there for my team, the better the team will be.”
Clearly, commanders are grateful for everything Mariota offers. They would just rather not have to rely on him so much.
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