Marcus Mariota stood at the podium after the Washington Commanders’ 41-24 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and began with appreciation. “First and foremost, just thankful and grateful for an unbelievable group of guys,” Mariota said. He credited his teammates for instilling confidence after being named the starter early in the week. “Belief is so powerful and those guys, from Monday, were just like, ‘Hey, you got this.’ I think that instilled confidence in me, just to go out there and play my game,” he added.
Mariota said the win represents a steppingstone for the Commanders. “It’s cool to see all three phases come together,” he noted. “It’s a great steppingstone for us as we move forward in the season.”
Even when mistakes arose early, Mariota emphasized staying level-headed. “We just didn’t blink,” he said. “We understand there’s gonna be ebbs and flows in the game. Regardless of how those go, we never want to ride the roller coaster.”
Offensive Line Adjustments and Big Plays Fuel the Win
The Commanders made two lineup changes on offense that paid off. Mariota praised guards Chris Paul and Andrew Wiley for stepping in and controlling the line of scrimmage. “I thought those guys came in and played well,” he said. “The way we were controlling the line of scrimmage, running the football, it really opened some things in the pass game in the second half.”
He highlighted the group’s unity, noting that the switch could have caused tension. “That group is very tight, and there was none of that throughout the course of the week,” Mariota said. “The guys just knew that, ‘Hey, I got a job to do. I gotta do my best.’ They rallied together and put together a really good game.”
Mariota also credited running back Jeremy McNichols for sparking the offense with a long touchdown run. “He broke probably six tackles in the course of that run,” Mariota said. “When you’re able to run the football that way, that’s why Terry McLaurin gets a big play. That’s why Luke McCaffrey gets a big play.”
Special Teams Momentum and Mariota’s Leadership Shine
Special teams played a critical role in creating early momentum, which Mariota said energized the offense. “It creates momentum,” Mariota explained. “When you’re able to ride that momentum, especially into that first touchdown drive, it’s huge. Our young receiver made an unbelievable play on that punt return, really at a point in the game where it could’ve flipped either way. He created that momentum for us. That’s how we were able to get things rolling and score a bunch of points.”
Mariota also expressed how much he enjoys Washington’s offensive system and culture. “I love this system,” he said. “I really feel like I have a great connection with Cliff, Tavita, and the rest of the offensive staff. We understand that there’s gonna be moments where it’s not gonna work out the way that we anticipated, but we never blink. It’s such a great, healthy environment for all parties involved.”
The veteran quarterback reflected on his personal journey and gratitude for his opportunity. “I really just had to take a couple moments, even after the game,” Mariota said. “Just grateful to play the game. I love it. I love this team. It’s been such an interesting journey for me and I would never trade it for anything in the world.”
With Mariota’s steady leadership, offensive adjustments, and explosive special teams play, the Commanders showcased their potential as a balanced, dangerous team. Their Week 3 win not only boosts their record to 2-1 but also sends a strong message about their depth, chemistry, and competitive spirit moving forward in the season.