Commanders Will Start Josh Johnson at QB Against Cowboys on Christmas
Washington's Commanders will start veteran quarterback Josh Johnson, 39, against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, stepping in after backup Marcus Mariota sustained an injury.
NewsweekHow to Watch Commanders vs Cowboys: Live Stream NFL on Christmas, TV Channel
USA TODAYCommanders vs. Cowboys live updates: TV info, picks, how to watch Christmas game
FOX NewsNFL's Christmas games lose major star power as key quarterbacks sidelined with injuries
Chicago Sun-TimesNFL picks: Christmas games don't figure to be close
Overview
The Commanders will roll with Josh Johnson, a 39-year-old veteran quarterback, as the team’s starter for the Christmas Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
Johnson’s elevation comes after the team’s backup Marcus Mariota suffered an injury, forcing Washington to turn to the 39-year-old passer for Week 16 readiness.
The Christmas game marks a high-pressure test for Johnson to lead an offense lacking Mariota’s prior experience and playmaking ability.
Coaches will likely lean on a conservative game plan, emphasizing ball security and short passes to harness Johnson’s game management in a critical divisional scenario.
This development adds urgency for Washington’s offense and may influence late-season evaluation of the quarterback position as the team pursues postseason chances.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the NFL picks story by emphasizing statistical dominance and historical performance, using language that suggests predictability and certainty. Terms like "gimme" and "definitely are not the play" imply a foregone conclusion, marginalizing the potential for upsets. The focus on past victories and player stats prioritizes a narrative of inevitability over competitive uncertainty.
FAQ
Josh Johnson is a long‑time NFL journeyman quarterback (drafted in 2008) with multiple stints on several teams; he rejoined the Washington Commanders on a one‑year deal in 2025 and is listed as the Commanders’ active QB in 2025 rosters and profiles, age 39.[1]
Johnson was elevated to start because the team’s backup, Marcus Mariota, sustained an injury that removed Mariota from availability, forcing Washington to turn to Johnson for the Week 16/Christmas Day matchup.[Story Summary]
Coaches are expected to employ a conservative, game‑management plan emphasizing ball security and short passes to play to Johnson’s strengths and reduce turnover risk in a high‑pressure divisional game.[Story Summary]
Starting Johnson adds urgency to Washington’s late‑season evaluation of the QB position; the performance in this contest could influence front‑office decisions about quarterback continuity while directly impacting the team’s pursuit of postseason qualification given the divisional stakes.
