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 Washington Commanders did not “take the points” and settle for field goals on fourth down. They knocked out the Detroit Lions with touchdowns after converting on fourth down.

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.

Commanders veterans Marcus Mariota and Terry McLaurin put the perfect ending onto a historic regular season for the franchise.

Marcus Mariota’s clutch play in the game’s final seconds earned the Commanders a six playoff seed highlighting the power of unseen preparation.

Washington Commanders coach Dan Quinn says he is "not concerned" about Jayden Daniels' leg soreness that led him to take the rookie quarterback out of the regular-season finale at Dallas.

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.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Mariota threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with 3 seconds left, lifting Washington to a 23-19 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and clinching the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs for the Commanders.

Commanders pull Jayden Daniels in regular-season finale and Dan Quinn goes with backup quarterback vs. Cowboys

Quarterback Marcus Mariota threw a 5-yard touchdown ... per ESPN BET). Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he decided to sit Daniels at halftime. "Jayden had some mild soreness in his leg, and I ...

Backup QB leads Washington to 23-19 comeback win over the Cowboys to close a dramatic regular season and set up a first-round game in Tampa.

Dan Quinn downplayed Jayden Daniels’ leg soreness ... Quinn reiterated that he turned to backup Marcus Mariota because the game required more mobility at the position than Daniels could muster.