Landover, Md. — When Marcus Mariota stepped in for the injured rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, his first thought was about Daniels’ health. Once he settled in, Mariota focused on executing the game plan and playing the way he always has.
After Daniels left the game with a rib injury, the Washington Commanders delivered a dominant 40-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, propelled by two touchdown passes from Mariota and a 67-yard pick-six from Dante Fowler off Andy Dalton.
“It takes a little bit to kind of get your feet going and all that, but, yeah, you’re just thinking about the player first, and then you go out there and try to execute,” Mariota said. He completed 18 of 23 passes for 205 yards, throwing touchdown passes to tight ends Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott.
Daniels’ injury loomed large over the win, especially after he showcased his abilities with a 46-yard run and a couple of completed passes on the opening drive. His mother later reassured fans via social media that “he’s fine,” but Coach Dan Quinn had no updates, stating that Daniels would undergo further tests on Monday.
Despite losing Daniels early, the Commanders (5-2) were quick to find their rhythm, initially taking the lead thanks to Fowler’s pick-six, which was Dalton’s first of two interceptions. Emmanuel Forbes, who returned from a healthy scratch last week, added another interception.
Reflecting on his first NFL interception, Fowler remarked, “When I saw open field, I thought, ‘It’s time to go score a touchdown.’ Man, it was like I was in a dream.”
Washington’s defense was relentless, holding the Panthers to just 180 total yards, stopping seven of ten third-down attempts, and sacking Dalton twice.
With Mariota at the helm, the Commanders amassed 421 yards against a Panthers (1-6) team that has struggled defensively, allowing the most points of any team in the Super Bowl era through the first six games of a season.
“Between giving the ball away and just not being able to get off the field, I think they scored on all but one drive,” said Carolina coach Dave Canales, who announced Dalton would remain the starter next week over 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young.
In his return from a knee injury, Brian Robinson Jr. contributed with a rushing touchdown, having missed last week’s game against Baltimore—the team’s first loss since the opener. Washington’s 27-point halftime lead marked the largest since they led Dallas 28-0 on December 18, 2005.
As Carolina’s tough season continued, Dalton completed 11 of 16 passes for 93 yards before Young took over with 4:55 left, managing just two passes for negative yardage.
“It got out of our hands quick,” Dalton said. “We have to look ourselves in the mirror and ask, ‘Why do these games keep going like this?’ That’s the biggest thing.”
Running back Chuba Hubbard was limited to 52 yards on 17 carries after averaging over 100 yards in the previous four games. He managed a late touchdown in the fourth quarter when the game was already decided, as many fans who had been doing the wave had left early to avoid traffic.
“At the end of the day, we won handily, and I think the defense did an unbelievable job,” said Terry McLaurin, Washington’s leading receiver, who had six catches for 98 yards.
Up Next:
Panthers: At Denver next Sunday.
Commanders: Host Chicago next Sunday.
