Primetime games are make-or-break moments for young quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels. They either fold or rise when the lights are brighter and the attention is massive. Luckily for the Washington Commanders, their quarterback embraced the challenge by delivering a performance that even veterans dream of doing.
To establish the context for his impressive output, Daniels played on the road against Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who has already led his team to the Super Bowl. Though most of the crowd was against him, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was unfazed as he led the Commanders to a 38-33 victory.
While Burrow had remarkable stats (29 completions, 324 yards, three touchdowns), Daniels had the last laugh by leaving his mark all over Paycor Stadium. The younger quarterback from LSU missed only two throws (21 of 23) for 254 passing yards and two touchdowns.
His first touchdown pass went to offensive lineman Trent Scott. Meanwhile, his 27-yard fourth-quarter touchdown strike to Terry McLaurin extended their lead to 12, 38-26, right before the two-minute warning. In addition to the first two touchdown passes of his NFL career, Daniels gained 39 rushing yards and a touchdown from the ground.
Jayden Daniels is here.
— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2024
21/23
294 total yards
3 total TDs pic.twitter.com/wCniO8DKLx
A rookie having more touchdowns than incompletions during a Monday Night Football game is stunning. After the Washington franchise has struggled for decades to find a franchise quarterback, Daniels’ opus against the Bengals could signify that he’s the one they have been looking for. Through three games, Daniels has completed 80.3 percent of his throws for 664 passing yards and zero interceptions. He also has three rushing touchdowns off 171 yards.
For now, Daniels and the Commanders can celebrate their 2-1 start, giving them a share of the NFC East lead with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the season has just begun, and they’re off to visit the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4. After that game, Daniels will face the elite defensive units of the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens in succeeding weeks.
-Lance Fernandez