Veteran Marcus Mariota will finish the regular season at quarterback for the Washington Commanders. With a playoff spot locked up, head coach Dan Quinn chose to play it safe in the second half and sit rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
The Dallas Cowboys led the Commanders 6-3 at halftime.
Daniels completed six of 12 passes for 38 yards in the first half. He also led Washington with 27 rushing yards on six attempts. Daniels was under heavy pressure in the first half, sacked four times. The Commanders are playing without starting center Tyler Biadasz, who was ruled out with an ankle injury. Veteran Michael Deiter replaced him, but he struggled in the first half.
How did Mariota do?
The veteran completed all five passing attempts for 60 yards and finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz. Mariota also ran the ball once for 10 yards.
When Mariota returned to the sideline after the drive, Daniels was the first one to greet him. The touchdown gave the Commanders their first lead of the game.