Marcus Mariota Gets Another Start as Jayden Daniels Remains Sidelined

The Marcus Mariota experience is getting a sequel in Washington.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn made it official on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport: Jayden Daniels is still not quite ready to return. That means Mariota will take the snaps when the Indianapolis Colts come to town.

"Ian Rapoport reported Dan Quinn made it official that Mariota will start once again."

This is the reality of life with a backup quarterback. You aren't asking for a masterpiece; you are just begging them not to drive the franchise into a ditch while the starter heals.

Washington is coming off a chaotic 33-31 shootout win over the Seattle Seahawks, proving they can survive without their star rookie. But surviving and thriving are two different things, and betting markets usually treat the drop-off from a dynamic dual-threat to a veteran game manager like a minor financial crisis. Expect the lines to reflect the fact that Washington's ceiling just dropped a few stories.

The Colts are walking into this October 4th matchup fresh off a gritty 19-17 win over the Houston Texans. Indianapolis knows exactly what Mariota is at this point in his career. He will make a few plays with his legs, miss a few throws he should make, and keep the game hovering in that weird zone where nobody feels comfortable.

For Washington, the math is simple. If Mariota can string together enough competent drives to steal another win, they buy Daniels another week of stress-free rehab. If not, the panic meter in the nation's capital is going to start ticking up.