Marcus Mariota Leads Commanders to 41-24 Win Over Raiders

The Washington Commanders secured a 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders with a reconfigured offense featuring quarterback Marcus Mariota stepping in for the injured Jayden Daniels. Mariota, making his first NFL start since 2022, threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a 2-yard score, helping Washington amass 201 rushing yards, including a 60-yard touchdown run by Jeremy McNichols and a 90-yard punt return by rookie Jaylin Lane. Daniels missed his first game due to a knee injury, while other key players like Austin Ekeler and Noah Brown were sidelined with injuries, prompting several lineup changes. Commanders owner Josh Harris expressed confidence in Mariota and the team's ability to win, predicting a 2-1 record after this game. Mariota's performance marked a strong comeback, supported by strategic game planning aimed at exploiting the Raiders' defense despite the team's injury challenges. The win also extended Washington's home winning streak, their longest since 2015.