The Washington Commanders were relying heavily on veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to keep them afloat against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in Week 3.
He did all that and much more.
Against all odds, the Commanders turned in a display full of grit, determination, and everything in between to come away with a priceless victory, shaking the NFL to its foundations. And based on how the game went overall, it was richly deserved.
Marcus Mariota was sensational to secure memorable Commanders upset
Mariota led the way. He looked in complete control, and even though he is a little older and a little slower, offensive coordinator David Blough didn't have to alter the scheme much without Jayden Daniels to depend on.
The signal-caller took what the defense gave him, wasn't afraid to push the football downfield, and made his opportunities count in key moments.
Was it perfect? Of course not, but nobody expected it to be against such a formidable defense.
But Mariota held his own. He kept plowing forward. And when the Commanders seized the initiative with a pick-six from 2025 sixth-round selection Kain Medrano, the former Oregon standout did just enough to get his team over the line.
There were some misses. There were some pre-snap communication issues. But it wasn't enough to stop the momentum. And when Mariota needed to move the chains downfield, two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin was the guy.
Marcus Mariota may have saved the Commanders' season with priceless victory
McLaurin came to life after a quiet start to the season. He made a sensational touchdown catch and was a valuable outlet for Mariota throughout. And even though he's a backup, the pair have played a lot together over the last couple of years, so chemistry was not an issue.
Mariota's mobility in the pocket was another big positive.
Blough's gutsy call on the quarterback option that secured the game-winning first down was akin to what fans got to see from the player over the early stages of his career. He was hurting, even going back to the locker room for an IV late in the game. But Mariota did what was required to help his team win.
And it might just have saved Washington's season.
Of course, Marotta was quick to praise others after the game, noting the strong resolve in the building with the team facing so much adversity. But this performance once again proved why he is considered among the league's most valuable backup options under center.
How much longer Mariota starts remains to be seen.
Daniels is considered week-to-week with his dislocated elbow, and this win will only increase his urgency to get back. That might not be next weekend against the Indianapolis Colts in London, but it shouldn't be too much longer after that.
Until then, this is Mariota's team. And another performance like this at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would put the Commanders at .500 before another divisional matchup against the New York Giants.
Mariota didn't need to be Superman. He just needed to keep everyone calm, make plays when they were needed, and protect the football.
Consider that mission successfully accomplished, and the Commanders are back in the fight when hope was fading rapidly.
Marcus Mariota performance grade: A
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