Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ offense have been even higher than you assume

(Editor’s observe: That is excerpted from Mike Sando’s Decide Six of Sept. 30, 2024.)

Let’s rely the methods Jayden Daniels is reworking the Washington Commanders and the NFC East race.

The Commanders moved atop the NFC East at 3-1 with a 42-14 domination at Arizona. Their Daniels-quarterbacked offense is setting the bar increased than anybody may have realistically anticipated. As in, prime Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers excessive.

Washington has scored on 68 p.c of its drives, the very best fee by way of 4 video games for any crew since not less than 2000, per TruMedia. You may acknowledge the groups proper behind the Commanders on that listing. Not even Brady’s 2007 New England Patriots scored this often to start out their historic unbeaten common season.

The Commanders’ offense has produced not less than 8.0 EPA in every recreation this season. Washington performed 387 regular-season video games from 2000 to 2023 with out hitting that mark in additional than two successive video games inside a season.

The four-game streak is the second-longest within the league since 2000 for any crew with a rookie beginning quarterback. Russell Wilson’s 2012 Seattle Seahawks strung collectively 5 such video games. Washington can tie that document at dwelling towards Cleveland in Week 5.

The desk above lays out the longest such streaks with rookie quarterbacks since 2000. Virtually the entire different streaks unfolded later within the season, after quarterbacks had some expertise.

Earlier than the season, 5 NFL execs mixed to foretell Washington would end 14th within the NFC this season. One of many execs had the Commanders ending sixth and successful the NFC East. Why?

“I put them as excessive upside for a couple of causes,” the exec mentioned Sunday evening. “One, I used to be down on the Giants. Two, I used to be down on Dallas. Three, I used to be a toss-up on Philly. 4, we’re speaking concerning the Heisman winner coming in and presumably being electrical, paired with the offensive coordinator (Kliff Kingsbury) who’s extra ready than anybody within the league, proper now, to deal with that participant. It’s an ideal marriage.”

One of many execs rating Washington decrease heading into the season referred to as the NFC East a “crapshoot” now. He gave Washington the sting, adopted by Philadelphia, Dallas and the Giants. He famous that Daniels is a “distinction maker” who is difficult to defend, and mentioned Dan Quinn, the brand new coach, is instilling perception in Washington. However he additionally cautioned that it stays early, and Daniels nonetheless should show he can maintain up bodily after typically taking huge hits in school.

Daniels is finishing 82 p.c of his passes, greatest in league historical past by way of 4 video games amongst gamers with not less than 75 makes an attempt, per Fox. Brady was at 79.2 p.c in 2007. Daniels has accomplished 71 p.c (20 of 28) of passes touring not less than 10 yards previous the road of scrimmage. That leads the league comfortably this season (Brock Purdy is second at 66 p.c).

What occurs when defenses get a greater learn on the Commanders’ tendencies?

“The nice groups have a subsequent pitch,” the exec mentioned. “Will probably be attention-grabbing to see what it seems like because it goes.”

The schedule may assist even out issues. Washington faces Cleveland, Baltimore, Chicago and Pittsburgh over the following six weeks. These groups are collectively permitting 18.5 factors per recreation to opposing offenses.

The Commanders received’t face the Eagles or Cowboys, who’re each 2-2, till Week 11, with 4 of their last seven video games towards these two opponents.

(Picture: Christian Petersen / Getty Photographs)