In a nail-biting finish, the Washington Commanders secured the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs with a 23-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Jan. 5.
In a close matchup hosted at Dallas’ AT&T Stadium, the Commanders sealed the victory in the final seconds, when quarterback Marcus Mariota delivered the game-clinching blow, connecting with wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a critical 5-yard touchdown.
A Pro Bowler, McLaurin’s game-winning touchdown marked his 13th receiving touchdown this season, setting a single-season franchise record as the only player to have the most receiving touchdowns. His record surpasses wide receiver Ricky Sanders, tight ends Charley Taylor and Jerry Smith, and player and coach Hugh Taylor.
“That was [a] tough drive, you know,” said McLaurin. “The wind is getting to you but you gotta have that laser-light focus to be able to make those plays. So for my teammates to trust me to make those plays on that drive, I’m humbled to be a part of that.”
While the Commanders celebrated their playoff berth last week, the team’s seed fate wasn’t entirely in their hands. With Washington trailing by three for much of the fourth quarter, their fate was hinged by the outcome of the Green Bay Packers-Chicago Bears game.
A Packers’ loss would have also secured the No. 6 playoff seed for the Commanders. In a fitting twist, Chicago came through clutch with a 51-yard field goal, defeating Green Bay 24-22, ensuring Washington’s No. 6 seed was safe.
However, Mariota’s late heroics truly became the difference-maker in the matchup. His timely touchdown pass closed the door on any remaining doubts about the Commanders’ seeding future in the playoffs.
“I love this team. I love how everyone approaches their week of preparation and the next man up mentality, and you can see it out there with Marcus,” said quarterback Jayden Daniels, after watching Mariota’s drive in Sunday’s game.
Daniels not only celebrated Mariota’s athleticism but also his mentorship.
“I’m so happy for him and everything he’s been through [in] his career. He didn’t have to take me underneath his wing and he’s done that plus more,” Daniels explained. “I’m so happy for him to go out there and have a game like this. A game-winning drive, last play, go out there and walk it off.”
Washington closed out the regular season strong with a five-game win streak and a 12-5 overall record. It is the first time since 1991 that the Commanders have won 12 games in a single season.
The team’s remarkable turnaround this season improved their win total by eight points, after last year’s disappointing 4-13 record. This marks the biggest one-season improvement in the NFL since the San Francisco 49ers improvement to a +9 win increase in the 2018-19 season.
The Commanders’ win against the division opponent, Dallas Cowboys, marks a 5-3 record finish on the road, their best in a single season since 2012 and a 9-3 finish against NFC opponents, their best since 2005.
Washington has now defeated the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants at least once this season, marking their first wins against all three divisional opponents since 2015.
“The last four games have been absolutely wild. It came right down to the end at New Orleans, at home against Philadelphia and Atlanta, and back on the road here in Dallas. I thought it took a lot of resilience and a lot of toughness,” said head coach Dan Quinn.
“The guys train hard for those, what we call winning time moments. But you do have to execute into those spots,” Quinn continued. “Tonight to see those moments and certainly a shoutout to Terry to set a franchise record for touchdown receptions. We’ve been playing football for a long time around here and that’s a big deal.”
The Washington Commanders have officially entered the postseason. The No. 3 NFC playoff seed, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will host the Commanders in a prime-time matchup in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday, Jan. 12. Kickoff will be at 8:15 p.m.