CINCINNATI — Actions communicate louder than phrases, proper? Nicely, in the event you went to sleep after “Monday Night time Soccer” along with your ears ringing, blame Jayden Daniels.
The Washington Commanders rookie quarterback uncorked a scintillating, sensational and spectacular street efficiency in his prime-time debut.
Daniels outdueledhis fellow LSU Heisman Trophy winner, Joe Burrow, with a near-flawless displaying. He annoyed Cincinnati Bengals cross rushers and tacklers with mystifying strikes within the pocket and moving-the-chains performs underneath duress. The 23-year-old, in his third sport, set a rookie file for single-game completion proportion (91.3), led Washington to scores on all six of its drives (not together with kneeldowns) and stored 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 at the very least 7 yards deep ultimately zone for Washington’s ultimate factors. Just like the nationwide tv viewers, the participant on the receiving finish was gobsmacked.
“Each throws have 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 means of years of quarterback turnover and organizational tumult, have 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 prevented placing the ball in hurt’s approach in one other interception-less sport and led Washington with 39 speeding yards. He additionally created a future trivia query that might stump “Jeopardy!” champs by throwing his first profession landing cross to offensive lineman Trent Scott.
The model and savviness displayed, particularly when Cincinnati pulled inside one rating on Ja’Marr Chase’s second landing reception because the clock learn 9:42, could 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 cross to tight finish Zach Ertz.
Daniels and McLaurin had but to determine in-game chemistry by means of two weeks. A lot of the speak 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 related for a cross that, in keeping with NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats, was probably the most inconceivable completion of the season.
Jayden Daniels’ 27-yard landing cross to Terry McLaurin had a completion chance of 10.3%, probably the most inconceivable TD of the season, and probably 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 unsure I’ve seen one thing like that,” stated 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 underneath 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 latest bleak historical past contains nary a successful season since 2016, the yr earlier than two-time Professional Bowl defensive sort out Jonathan Allen was drafted.
“He’s particular,” Allen stated.
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 stated. “He’s been doing an incredible job in camp making these throws, however to come back out right here and do it whenever you’ve obtained 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 discipline objective makes an attempt — kicker Evan McPherson missed one — Washington’s assault, dubbed a “school offense” by Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt final week, couldn’t be stopped.
“I believed their quarterback performed nice,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor stated. “He was a tough problem. Clearly, it wasn’t sufficient for us as we speak.”
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Was anybody within the constructing incapable of hyperbole about Daniels’ work? Sure, the chilliness and poised quarterback himself.
“It’s nice,” Daniels stated 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 fingers on fourth down somewhat than kick a discipline objective or punt, one thing Washington hasn’t finished 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 cross 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. “Possibly we’ll consider one thing for Trent,” Quinn stated.
Daniels and the offense had minimal gaffes. He appropriately credited his offensive line for strong safety. Working 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 stated successful meant a group effort in all three phases, “And we definitely did that.” That’s true, however questions on Daniels dominated the postgame chatter.
“He’s a very cool buyer and he’s obtained nice poise about him,” Quinn stated of Daniels. “I believed 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 scenario features a measure of shock, he is aware of the work that led to such heights.
“What’s finished at nighttime will all the time come to mild,” he stated.
Requested what he confirmed the NFL: “I’m a competitor,” Daniels stated. “I wish to compete on the highest stage. It’s a blessing to have the ability to go on the market each (sport) to do issues that lots of people on the earth 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 stated a lot, and the sound was deafening.
(Picture: Andy Lyons / Getty Photos)
