CINCINNATI — Actions converse louder than phrases, proper? Nicely, in case you went to sleep after “Monday Night time Soccer” together with your ears ringing, blame Jayden Daniels.
The Washington Commanders rookie quarterback uncorked a scintillating, sensational and spectacular highway efficiency in his prime-time debut.
Daniels outdueled his fellow LSU Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow, with a near-flawless displaying. He annoyed Cincinnati Bengals move rushers and tacklers with mystifying strikes within the pocket and moving-the-chains performs below duress. The 23-year-old, in his third recreation, set a rookie file for single-game completion share (91.3), led Washington to scores on all six of its drives (not together with kneeldowns) and saved the group’s turnover quantity at zero.
Then there have been the passes. The soul-snatching, jaw-dropping throws. Amongst them, a 55-yard strike within the second quarter and a pinpoint 27-yard lob not less than 7 yards deep ultimately zone for Washington’s closing factors. Just like the nationwide tv viewers, the participant on the receiving finish was gobsmacked.
“Each throws had been dimes,” Terry McLaurin exclaimed. “Dimes!”
BIG TIME PLAYS
BIG TIME PLAYERS
BIG TIME MOMENTS📺 #WASvsCIN ABC pic.twitter.com/1K0rzklNIG
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 24, 2024
Daniels’ teammates, together with these like McLaurin who’ve lived by way of years of quarterback turnover and organizational tumult, had been thrilled following the 38-33 win. Sure, for the victory that improved Washington to a stunning 2-1 file, but in addition what they witnessed from the younger quarterback.
It’s not merely that Daniels accomplished 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns or rushed untouched for a 4-yard rating. Or that he averted placing the ball in hurt’s approach in one other interception-less recreation and led Washington with 39 dashing yards. He additionally created a future trivia query that will stump “Jeopardy!” champs by throwing his first profession landing move to offensive lineman Trent Scott.
The fashion and savviness displayed, particularly when Cincinnati pulled inside one rating on Ja’Marr Chase’s second landing reception because the clock learn 9:42, can be spectacular for an skilled gamer. The 12-play, 70-yard drive capped by McLaurin’s landing catch included a fourth-and-4 from the Bengals’ 39. Daniels calmly accomplished a 9-yard move to tight finish Zach Ertz.
Daniels and McLaurin had but to determine in-game chemistry by way of two weeks. A lot of the discuss main into the sport at Paycor Stadium centered on how Washington must feed its playmaker. Three performs after the Ertz catch — with the Bengals displaying a Cowl zero scheme — the duo linked for a move that, in keeping with NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats, was essentially the most inconceivable completion of the season.
Jayden Daniels’ 27-yard landing move to Terry McLaurin had a completion likelihood of 10.3%, essentially the most inconceivable TD of the season, and essentially the most inconceivable completion by the Commanders within the NGS period (since 2016).#WASvsCIN | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/mvDpQkG9ly
— Subsequent Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 24, 2024
“I’m undecided I’ve seen one thing like that,” mentioned 13-year veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.
Few Washington followers have this century. The drought extends again shortly after Washington’s 1991 Tremendous Bowl victory, the third below legendary coach Joe Gibbs. Joe Theismann, the franchise’s first quarterback to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 1982, posted on his X account, “Washington get enthusiastic about our group and our QB.”
The current bleak historical past contains nary a profitable season since 2016, the yr earlier than two-time Professional Bowl defensive deal with Jonathan Allen was drafted.
“He’s particular,” Allen mentioned.
Daniels was the sixth Week 1 beginning quarterback in McLaurin’s six seasons. It’s comprehensible if the group’s high receiver handed on proclaiming the rookie as Neo, the one. After this efficiency, let the proclamations sing.
“Hey, that child has poise. I feel he grew up tonight,” McLaurin mentioned. “He’s been doing an incredible job in camp making these throws, however to return out right here and do it whenever you’ve received to have it with the sport on the road — that’s what nice gamers are about.”
It’s honest to think about gamers on the Bengals dropped some alternative four-letter phrases after falling to 0-3. Each possession for each groups crossed midfield. However whereas Cincinnati settled for 3 subject objective makes an attempt — kicker Evan McPherson missed one — Washington’s assault, dubbed a “faculty offense” by Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt final week, couldn’t be stopped.
“I assumed their quarterback performed nice,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned. “He was a troublesome problem. Clearly, it wasn’t sufficient for us right this moment.”
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Was anybody within the constructing incapable of hyperbole about Daniels’ work? Sure, the coolness and poised quarterback himself.
“It’s nice,” Daniels mentioned of the win. “Not only for me, however the entire group.”
When Commanders coach Dan Quinn determined to place the ball within the rookie’s arms on fourth down relatively than kick a subject objective or punt, one thing Washington hasn’t carried out in two video games, Daniels acknowledged the “religion in me to go on the market and make a play in a vital second.”
The play name that resulted in a 1-yard landing move for Washington’s largest lead at 28-13 within the third quarter had the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Scott “nervous as crap. Don’t drop the ball on ‘Monday Night time Soccer.’” He didn’t. Whether or not Scott or Daniels will get to maintain the ball is, in concept, up for dialogue, in keeping with the gamers — however not for Quinn. “Perhaps we’ll consider one thing for Trent,” Quinn mentioned.
Daniels and the offense had minimal gaffes. He appropriately credited his offensive line for strong safety. Operating backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. every discovered the tip zone. Opening the second half, Ekeler popped a 62-yard kick return, resulting in Scott’s rating. That Ekeler left the sport with a concussion was one of many few down notes, together with the defensive struggles.
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT
📺 #WASvsCIN ABC pic.twitter.com/BlM0eOxlIi
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 24, 2024
Quinn mentioned profitable meant a group effort in all three phases, “And we actually did that.” That’s true, however questions on Daniels dominated the postgame chatter.
“He’s a very cool buyer and he’s received nice poise about him,” Quinn mentioned of Daniels. “I assumed it was a very sturdy efficiency by him.”
Daniels by no means got here near patting himself on the again throughout his postgame session with reporters. He additionally isn’t afraid to state that, whereas success on this new state of affairs features a measure of shock, he is aware of the work that led to such heights.
“What’s carried out at the hours of darkness will at all times come to mild,” he mentioned.
Requested what he confirmed the NFL: “I’m a competitor,” Daniels mentioned. “I need to compete on the highest stage. It’s a blessing to have the ability to go on the market every (recreation) to do issues that lots of people on this planet can’t do.”
That final sentence is about enjoying within the NFL. Granted, it doubles as a testomony to Daniels’ expertise and potential. He’s assured however not smug sufficient to proclaim his rising standing. His actions mentioned loads, and the sound was deafening.
(Photograph: Andy Lyons / Getty Photographs)
