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.

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

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.

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.

Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota had some high praise for rookie, Jayden Daniels's future after Week 18

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 quarterback Jayden Daniels has given his thoughts on Marcus Mariota's game-winning drive against the Dallas Cowboys.

Washington trailed 9-3 ahead of their first drive of the second half, so they are saving Daniels for the playoffs

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.