In thw Commanders Week 18 versus Cowboys end of season tilt, Marcus Mariota stepped in for an injured Jayden Daniels and delivered a thrilling 91-yard game-winning drive, capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin with 3 seconds left. The 23–19 victory secured the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs for the Washington Commanders.
“You would’ve had to drag me off the field if this was win-or-go-home,” Daniels said, who sat the second half due to leg soreness.
Washington (12-5) finishes the regular season on a four-game winning streak and will travel to Tampa Bay next Sunday night for a Wild Card showdown — a rematch of their Week 1 loss to the Buccaneers.
Commanders Week 18 Versus Cowboys: Mariota Saves the Day
Mariota, playing extended snaps for the first time this season, went 15-of-18 for 161 yards, threw two touchdowns, and added a 33-yard run on the game-winning drive. The veteran QB stepped in after Daniels went 6-of-12 for 38 yards in the first half.
“It was fun to celebrate him today,” said head coach Dan Quinn. “He’s such a cool teammate and stays ready.”
Daniels, who is expected to start in the playoffs, wasn’t seriously injured. Coach Quinn cited a need for more mobility and a strategic shift to use Mariota’s legs to unlock the offense.
McLaurin Delivers Again
Terry McLaurin hauled in the game-winner and ended the night with six catches for 58 yards and a touchdown, continuing to be Washington’s most consistent receiving threat.
Washington’s offense struggled early, gaining just 64 total yards in the first half before Mariota entered and engineered three scoring drives.
Commanders Clinch Sixth Seed
Thanks to Green Bay’s loss to Chicago, Washington had already clinched the No. 6 seed before Mariota’s dramatic final drive. Still, the win ensured momentum going into the postseason and avenged an earlier season loss to Dallas.
“We’ve been through a lot this year,” McLaurin said. “To finish strong and head into the playoffs with confidence — that’s big.”
Cowboys Collapse in Finale
The Cowboys (7-10), started Trey Lance at quarterback. He managed only one offensive touchdown and relied on Brandon Aubrey’s four field goals to stay competitive. Lance, making his first regular-season start since 2022, went 20-of-34 for 244 yards.
Rico Dowdle gave Dallas a brief lead with a 2-yard TD run in the fourth quarter,. The defense couldn’t hold off Mariota’s late heroics.
“This game was kind of a microcosm of our season,” Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said postgame.
Notable Performances in Commanders Week 18 Versus Cowboys
- Marcus Mariota: 161 yards passing, 2 TDs, 33-yard run on final drive
- Terry McLaurin: 6 receptions, 58 yards, game-winning TD
- Micah Parsons (DAL): 2.5 sacks — finished the season with 12, joining elite company with four straight 10+ sack seasons
- Brandon Aubrey (DAL): 4 FGs — maintained his NFL record 14 FGs of 50+ yards in a season
Ground Game Still Stalled
Washington’s running backs were held in check despite the return of Austin Ekeler from concussion protocol. Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for just 22 yards on eight carries,. Both quarterbacks contributed more on the ground.
What’s Next After Commanders Week 18 Versus Cowboys
- Commanders (12-5): Travel to Tampa Bay for a Wild Card showdown next Sunday night against the NFC South champion Buccaneers (10-7), who beat Washington 37–20 in Week 1.
- Cowboys (7-10): Season over. Questions swirl around the future of head coach Mike McCarthy as Dallas fails to make the playoffs.