By Edward G. Robinson III
AFRO Sports Editor
It’s always nice to have a backup plan.
NFL teams with postseason ambitions need quality backups to make it through a rough-and-tumble regular season where injuries are commonplace and the adage is “next man up.”
Dan Quinn’s bunch learned it can play without QB1 Jayden Daniels as the Washington Commanders walloped the visiting Las Vegas Raiders 41-24 at Northwest Stadium with a mix of starters and reserve personnel playing key roles.
Week 3 provided some keen insight on how to read this Washington team as second year coach Quinn instills a military-like system and core values. This current roster has adopted his stoic personality.
If they needed a reminder of Quinn’s toughness, the game on Sept. 21 provided a glimpse. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota accidentally ran into him on the sideline and drove him into the ground.
Bloodied and bleary-eyed, Quinn kept coaching.
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) steps in for an injured Jayden Daniels and leads the team to a 41-24 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 21. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
That’s the type of resilience he’s looking for from these Commanders. On Sept. 21, there were examples everywhere.
Washington improved to 2-1 after a setback against Green Bay on Sept. 11, scoring touchdowns through the air, on the ground and with special teams play. The team showcased depth and resolve, areas of strength championship teams carry into the playoffs.
Some new faces and old faces contributed to that game. And the effort appeared collective.
“It does speak to team,” Quinn said during a press conference following the Sept. 21 victory. “And when called upon being able to deliver.”
Mariota certainly delivered.
He subbed for an injured Daniels and impressed with a top tier performance. He stood calmly in the pocket and delivered passes like a former Heisman Trophy winner should. The former Oregon standout – who filled in for the Commanders’ other Heisman Trophy winner – completed 15 of 21 attempts for 207 passing yards and a TD.
When pressed out of the pocket – and the Raiders’ defensive end Maxx Crosby pressed often and from every angle – Mariota, 31, moved around the natural grass—well, like a natural. He rushed six times for 40 yards, including a 2-yard scamper into the end zone on the team’s first drive of the game.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury plugged Mariota into the system and dialed up a balanced game plan.
It was Mariota’s 75th start in the league and he operated with supreme confidence. He thanked his teammates for believing.
“Belief is so powerful and those guys, from Monday, were just, ‘Hey, you got this,’” he said. “I think that instilled confidence in me, just to go out there and play my game.”
Mariota’s value became clearer in a time of distress after he fumbled the ball on a 22-yard keeper midway through the first quarter. The Raiders recovered the ball, but it didn’t seem to stay with him.
“Yeah, I thought honestly he stayed very level-headed,” Quinn said. “He stayed aggressive into it. So yeah, I felt no flinch into that. I just felt it was very quintessential him. A really clean game.”
Playoff-bound teams need players who adapt when times grow weary.
Washington faced its first mini-crisis following a disappointing loss to Green Bay in Week 2. The offense sputtered in that game and Daniels injured his knee. His practice status was announced as limited and he didn’t dress for the Sept. 21 game.
Green Bay’s defense dominated at the line of scrimmage and forced the Commanders to consider some changes up front. Washington swapped guards on both sides of the offensive line with Quinn saying that early-season competition is healthy.
So everyone was motivated to affect change and adapt, especially the offensive line and running back staff who collected just 51 yards against the Packers.
Washington’s ground crew – posted 201 yards and three touchdowns on the grounds against Las Vegas.
“It meant a lot to us, after losing a game, the whole week, you get ready to get back on the field and prove you’re better than what you put on tape last week,” Washington rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt said.
Running back Jeremy McNichols popped one for 60 yards late in the third quarter.
“I was super proud of Jeremy on the long [touchdown run], maybe 60 yards or something like that,” Quinn said. “You don’t know who’s going to be the one to take that step and make the one, but when you have consistent performers and they’re ready to go. I think he’s the epitome of Commander Standard.”
Wide receiver Jaylin Lane played his part with a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
He became the first rookie to record a punt return for a touchdown since Desmond Howard in 1992. He finished the game with 127 punt return yards – third most for a rookie in a single game.
And Klingsbury called on wideout Terry McLaurin four times against the Raiders. Mariota connected with the veteran on three receptions, including a “go” route where he pulled in the pass at the 30 yard line, raced to the goal line and arms stretched landed just short of a touchdown.
“I love this system,” Mariota said. “We understand that there’s gonna be moments where it’s not gonna work out the way that we anticipated, but we never blink. It’s such a great, healthy environment for all parties involved. I’ve just really enjoyed my time here. Every opportunity I get, I just try to make the most of it.”
And that makes the guy with the blood on his nose really happy.