The Washington Commanders ruled out quarterback Jayden Daniels for their Week 8 game against the Kansas City Chiefs even before preparations began. That left head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury relying on dependable backup Marcus Mariota once again.
This was Mariota's third start of the season, and easily his most challenging so far. And to make things extra intriguing, the bright lights of prime time were also firmly upon the former Oregon standout on Monday Night Football.
Mariota's seen it all before. He's an experienced signal-caller who's enjoyed success versus the Chiefs in previous years. However, the Commanders went into the game under strength and as massive underdogs. Washington had nothing to lose and everything to gain, even if it seemed like a tall order in a typically hostile environment.
Something was working in Mariota's favor. The Commanders got their prolific wide receiver duo of Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr. back into the lineup following their respective injury absences. That didn't guarantee anything, but it did nothing to hurt Washington's chances of pulling off a league-shaking upset.
As it turned out, Mariota's bright start to the game couldn't be sustained, and the Commanders dropped their third game in a row to find themselves at 3-5 through eight weeks.
With this in mind, here are five significant observations from Mariota's performance with the national audience watching intently.
Major observations from Marcus Mariota's performance against the Chiefs
Marcus Mariota's poise
There isn't much that Marcus Mariota hasn't seen during his rollercoaster NFL career. The bright lights of prime time aren't for everyone, but the poise displayed by the Heisman Trophy winner quickly became a calming influence amid the chaos.
Getting off to a positive start was crucial. Mariota was in complete command at the line of scrimmage. He never forced anything; he always took what the Kansas City Chiefs defense gave him. The signal-caller was never flustered, maneuvering in the pocket well and getting the football out on time.
It might seem like standard procedure, but some backup quarterbacks around the league can get too amped up when their number is called. Mariota isn't your typical understudy. He's got proven starting experience and knows how to handle the big occasions effectively. Things weren't perfect all the time, but the No. 2 pick in 2015 has the inner composure to approach everything the same, regardless of how the previous play unfolded.
This puts everyone at ease. It's why there is more faith in Mariota's capabilities in the building than from the national experts on the outside looking in. It's also why the Commanders made a concerted effort to keep the signal-caller around during the offseason.