CINCINNATI — The Washington Commanders walked out of Cincinnati with a thrilling 38-33 victory over the Bengals. Leading the charge was their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, whose performance left everyone in the locker room buzzing.
Backup safety and special teamer Jeremy Reaves, while wearing headphones, gestured towards Daniels and said, “He’s different.” Defensive tackle Jon Allen echoed this sentiment with even more conviction, stating, “He is the answer.” After Daniels’ stunning display, no one in the room disagreed.
Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes, amassing 254 yards and two touchdowns. His game-winning 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin, while under pressure from a blitzing defender, sealed the victory. McLaurin praised the rookie’s composure after the game.
“I think he grew up tonight,” McLaurin said. “As a rookie, once you make throws like that, your confidence skyrockets. I’m so excited for him.”
Washington Riding High with Jayden Daniels at the Helm
With this win, Washington (2-1) has now secured two consecutive victories. Remarkably, they’ve scored on 14 consecutive drives, excluding kneel-downs, leading into Sunday’s game against Arizona. A large part of this success is thanks to Daniels’ play.
Through three games, Daniels has completed an astounding 80.3% of his passes, throwing for 662 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He has averaged 6.2 air yards per attempt, a testament to his precision and decision-making.
Washington head coach Dan Quinn praised Daniels, saying, “He’s continuing to grow on the job.”
Delivering Under Pressure
In the last two games, Daniels has delivered when it mattered most. He led a game-winning field goal drive and followed it up with a touchdown pass on his final possession Monday night. His ability to rise in critical moments has not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“He brings hope,” said guard Sam Cosmi, reflecting on the difference Daniels makes compared to past quarterbacks. “I believe. We believe.”
Daniels’ calm under pressure is one of his most impressive qualities. Even when the play clock was ticking down, Daniels remained composed. He signaled to the sideline to get the play call in without panicking. This level-headedness resonated with his teammates.
“It’s shocking how composed he is, but at the same time, it’s not,” said Washington guard Nick Allegretti. “In tough situations, he stays calm. He doesn’t panic, and that keeps the whole offense grounded.”
Clutch Plays on Fourth Downs
Throughout the game, Daniels was asked to convert three crucial fourth downs. On two occasions, he used his arm to make the plays; on the third, he used his legs. Each time, he succeeded. One of the most pivotal moments came on a fourth-and-2 pass to rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey. The 30-yard completion set up Washington’s first touchdown of the night.
Later in the fourth quarter, Daniels faced another crucial fourth down. With Washington holding a slim five-point lead, he delivered a nine-yard pass to tight end Zach Ertz on a fourth-and-4 from the Bengals’ 39-yard line. The conversion kept the drive alive and ate valuable time off the clock.
“It’s a blessing that the coaching staff has faith in me to make a play in those critical moments,” Daniels said after the game. “But that speaks to the entire offense, not just me.”
Jayden Daniels’ Signature Moment
Daniels’ defining moment came shortly after the fourth-down conversion to Ertz. Three plays later, facing an all-out blitz with a defender barreling towards him, Daniels launched a perfect throw that traveled 45 yards in the air. The ball landed in McLaurin’s hands for a 27-yard touchdown, cementing the victory.
McLaurin, who caught a 55-yard pass earlier in the game that set up another touchdown, had requested the ball on that play. Daniels delivered.
“When we needed it most, Jayden stepped up and took a hit to make that throw,” McLaurin said. “Those are the types of throws you need your quarterback to make.”
Rising Confidence Among Teammates
Daniels’ teammates are growing more confident in him with each passing game. His poise under pressure has set the tone for the entire team, allowing them to trust him in critical moments. Players have praised his leadership and ability to stay calm, even in the most tense situations.
“If the quarterback is stressed, everyone else tightens up,” Allegretti explained. “But Daniels’ composure keeps us all composed. That’s the impact he has.”
Washington’s offense, energized by Daniels’ play, has become increasingly confident in their young quarterback. Players like guard Sam Cosmi believe Daniels is the spark they’ve been waiting for.
“The only word I can use is hope,” Cosmi said. “We believe in him. He gives us hope.”
A Rookie’s Remarkable Journey
While Daniels has earned the respect of his teammates, he remains humble. He admitted that his success has come as a surprise, even to himself.
“Yes, it’s new to me, but I know it’s the result of hard work,” Daniels said. “What you do in the dark always comes to light.”
In addition to his big throws, Daniels showcased his versatility by running for crucial yards when needed. One of his fourth-down conversions was a fourth-and-1 run early in the fourth quarter that led to a field goal. His ability to extend plays with his legs adds another dimension to Washington’s offense.
A Memorable First Touchdown
Jayden Daniels may have to fight for his first touchdown ball. His first touchdown pass of the night went to backup tackle Trent Scott, who caught a one-yard pass in the third quarter.
“I was nervous as hell,” Scott admitted. “I just kept telling myself, ‘Don’t drop the ball.'”
While Scott joked about wanting to keep the ball, Jayden Daniels’ focus remains on winning and improving with each game.
Looking Ahead
As the Washington Commanders head into their next game against Arizona, one thing is clear: Jayden Daniels is the real deal. His growth and confidence have injected new life into Washington’s offense, and his teammates have rallied around him.
“He’s only going to get better,” McLaurin said. “We’re excited to see where this journey takes us.”
With two straight wins under their belt, Washington is poised to make a serious impact this season, led by their composed and confident rookie quarterback.
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