The Commanders-Cowboys Christmas clash looked like must-see TV when the NFL released its schedule in the spring. Seven months later, NFL fans across the country might opt for more eggnog and charades over the once-anticipated matchup.
It isn’t the first time the Commanders have underwhelmed a national audience this season. League officials gave Washington — which enjoyed an unlikely run to the NFC championship game last season thanks to rookie sensation Jayden Daniels under center — five primetime games and three other national broadcasts.
The Commanders have lost them all.
But Washington’s players are still building excitement for Christmas morning, when they head to Northwest Stadium for the final time this season.
“I find great gratitude and privilege to be able to play on Christmas Day. …” wide receiver Terry McLaurin said. “There’ll be people watching all across the world. You have a unique opportunity to play the game you love at the highest level with your brothers. To win this Christmas game would definitely mean a lot to our team.”
The Commanders are feeling the Christmas spirit. Tight end John Bates brought homemade cookies, baked by his wife, to the locker room this week. Teammates from the 4-11 squad were eager to try out the peanut butter blossoms, white chocolate Oreo bites and yellow butter cake cookies. Different position groups held Secret Santas on Christmas Eve — rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn’t grab a present for his fellow tailback until Monday evening.
The holiday festivities provide a bright spot in a disappointing campaign.
“I can’t wait,” Croskey-Merritt said of the Christmas game. “I’ve got my whole family coming from Alabama; they’re going to spend Christmas up here, they’re going to come to the game. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Washington’s Christmas plans have been littered with question marks throughout an abbreviated week of preparations. Daniels won’t play for the remainder of the season after aggravating a dislocated left elbow during a loss to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this month.
His primary backup, veteran Marcus Mariota, hasn’t practiced this week after suffering a quad injury and receiving stitches on his throwing hand this week.
The Commanders’ chance of a Christmas upset will instead fall on 39-year-old Josh Johnson. The only NFL quarterback to ever attend the University of San Diego also holds a league record after signing with 14 different NFL franchises (and three total teams in the UFL, AAF and XFL).
“It’s been a unique experience, but it’s been one that I don’t take for granted. I’m appreciative of every moment of every journey, of every step, whether it be good or something bad,” Johnson said. “I saw a lot of growth from those opportunities and working hard for these moments. The moment is here.”
Quinn named Johnson the starter on Wednesday. Jeff Driskel, whom the Commanders signed off the Arizona Cardinals practice squad on Monday, will serve as the second signal-caller.
The Commanders are, perhaps understandably, heavy underdogs at home against the Cowboys. Washington has seen key injuries throughout the season, with stars like Daniels and McLaurin missing significant time. Right guard Sam Cosmi landed himself on season-ending injured reserve this week with a concussion, while left tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive tackle Daron Payne are expected to miss Thursday’s matchup.
“Adversity can either make you a coward or it could help grow your character,” McLaurin said. “We’re going to look this challenge in the face, and we’re going to attack it.”
To the Commanders, Johnson’s status as the prototypical journeyman is a strength, not a weakness — even if he has recorded just nine starts across a 17-year career.
“His football mind, having played in so many different systems and booked so many different reps and different games and different spaces,” said offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. “I think all those things have allowed him to play with a really calm mind.”
His first extended playing time of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday didn’t inspire a ton of confidence from spectators. He panicked under pressure on his first drive, tossing an interception off his back foot that sparked an Eagles rally.
Philadelphia outscored Washington 22-8 after Johnson took over for an injured Mariota. Thursday marks the first time since 2021 that Johnson will start and in turn, take most of the week’s first-team snaps in practice.
“He’s got lots of versatility and so we wanted to make sure, when you’re getting the reps as a starter, what can we do to feature the things that allow you to be that,” Quinn said. “All these guys bring different things to the table. We’ll try like hell to feature Josh in that way, too.”
Johnson is looking to deliver an unforgettable Christmas for Commanders fans and his daughters. His only NFL victory as a starter came with Washington in 2018, but his children weren’t old enough to understand the occasion.
“It’s a great Christmas gift,” Johnson said of the chance to start on Thursday. “It’s just gratitude, honestly. I work really hard. You can’t really talk about what you’re going to do in my position. You’ve just got to work for the moments and when they show up, you’ve got to go out there and show it.”
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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