Tag: Daniels

  • Jayden Daniels’ surge to superstardom brings alluring eyes on Commanders coaches


    Jayden Daniels was a sensational pick by the Washington Commanders. The quarterback put together arguably the best rookie campaign of all time to spearhead his team back to relevancy much sooner than expected. Unfortunately, this could potentially come with collateral damage.

    Teams around the league are always looking to capture the magic within successful franchises. It’s an unusual feeling for the Commanders to be looking over their shoulders. They languished in the doldrums for decades under the previous owner Dan Snyder. Their remarkable campaign is casting some alluring glances from others.

    Kliff Kingsbury gained head coaching interest but opted to turn down offers and see out this project next season. That was a significant boost, but the respected play-caller could be looking for two new assistants who’ve worked closely alongside Daniels during his surge to superstardom.

    Commanders coaches generating interest after Jayden Daniels’ renaissance

    The Jacksonville Jaguars confirmed that they completed an interview with Tavita Pritchard for their offensive coordinator position. Washington’s quarterbacks coach was one of the few holdovers from Ron Rivera’s tenure and is well-respected in league circles. He’s also got play-calling experience, albeit at the collegiate level with Stanford.

    With new head coach Liam Coen expected to call plays in Jacksonville, Pritchard will be tasked with managing the offense and helping former No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence. It’ll be interesting to see if he does enough to secure the promotion.

    Another fast riser is gaining significant interest. According to Mike Garafolo from the NFL Network, assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough is a hot commodity. He’ll interview with the New York Jets for their quarterbacks coach job, with the Chicago Bears requesting to speak with him about their pass game coordinator vacancy.

    Blough is 29 years old with just one year of coaching experience. But with Daniels taking the league by storm, his work in helping the LSU product along the way is something teams want to know more about.

    The Commanders can’t do anything to prevent Pritchard or Blough from leaving for increased responsibilities elsewhere. What they can do is form contingency plans to ensure no momentum is lost and Daniels continues to have the best people around him. It would be a big shock if head coach Dan Quinn and Kingsbury didn’t have a few ideas in mind for every eventuality.

    Quinn has strong contacts around the league. He molded an outstanding staff team upon taking the top job in Washington. Losing a couple along the way was always anticipated considering how well the Commanders performed this season. How the former Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator adapts is crucial.

    This is the unfortunate price of progress. There were always going to be departures for better opportunities on Washington’s route to becoming a perennial powerhouse once again. Blough and Pritchard are just the start. If the same trend continues, others will also enter consideration.

    It’s a compliment to the Commanders if nothing else. They’ve won back respect around the NFL and are being taken seriously at long last. But until something gets confirmed one way or another, it’s a waiting game.

    More Commanders news and analysis



    Jayden Daniels, the dynamic quarterback for the Washington Commanders, has been on a tear in recent weeks, leading his team to several impressive victories. His surge to superstardom has not only captivated fans and analysts, but also brought a spotlight on the coaching staff of the Commanders.

    Head coach Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Scott Turner have been instrumental in developing Daniels into a standout player in the league. Their innovative play-calling and strategic game plans have allowed Daniels to showcase his immense talent and lead the Commanders to success.

    As Daniels continues to dazzle on the field with his impressive passing and running abilities, the eyes of the football world are turning towards the Commanders coaches. Many are now wondering how Rivera and Turner have been able to unlock Daniels’ full potential and what their future holds as they continue to guide him on his path to superstardom.

    With each passing week, the Commanders coaches are proving themselves as masterminds behind Daniels’ rise to stardom, and their ability to nurture his talent and maximize his potential is becoming increasingly clear. As the Commanders continue to climb the ranks in the league standings, all eyes will be on Rivera and Turner as they lead their team to even greater success.

    Tags:

    Jayden Daniels, Commanders coaches, NFL, football, Arizona State, quarterback, rising star, college football, sports, athlete, success, talent, future superstar, coaching staff, professional development, player spotlight, performance, potential, leadership, competition, mentorship.

    #Jayden #Daniels #surge #superstardom #brings #alluring #eyes #Commanders #coaches

  • Washington’s ‘Terminator’ Daniels one win away from NFL history


    Washington's Jayden Daniels could become the first rookie quarterback to reach the Super Bowl with victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (Nic Antaya)

    Washington’s Jayden Daniels could become the first rookie quarterback to reach the Super Bowl with victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (Nic Antaya)

    Jayden Daniels has already transformed the Washington Commanders from perennial strugglers to NFC Championship contenders and on Sunday has a chance to make history and become the first rookie quarterback ever to reach the Super Bowl.

    The 24-year-old Californian, taken with the second overall pick in last year’s draft, has electrified the NFL this season, becoming an instant star in a league where quarterbacks usually have to bide their time before reaching the summit.

    Standing between Daniels and a trip to New Orleans for the Super Bowl are divisional rivals the Philadelphia Eagles, seeking to return to the biggest game for the second time in three years.

    The Commanders beat the Eagles 36-33 just four weeks ago with Daniels orchestrating the game-winning drive in a game that went down to the wire.

    That was a performance that epitomised the composed way in which Daniels has taken to the high-octane environment of the NFL.

    “I just think, for me, football is just fun, and it’s like a safe haven for me, everything that I’ve been through personally in my life, so I’m not really going out there and stressing about the moment,” Daniels said on Wednesday.

    “Because at the end of the day, I get to do what I love.”

    He produced 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter or overtime in the regular season — the most of any rookie quarterback this year.

    – ‘The Terminator’ –

    “He is the Terminator,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said this week.

    “He’s got rare in-the-moment skills that have allowed us to be in this spot. When it’s mental chaos going down and two minutes, and in these tight moments where it could feel that tight, he’s got the experience of somebody that’s played a lot more football than a first-year player,” he added.

    The Commanders, previously known as the Redskins, have long struggled to find the right man at the most important position in the game.

    In the 32 years since their last Super Bowl win, the team tried 35 different quarterbacks.

    Joe Theismann, a Super Bowl winner with the team in 1982, believes that Daniels’ performances are unmatched for a rookie.

    “If you were to write down 10 things you want in a quarterback, he checks every box. I’m excited for him. He’s a great kid, too,” he told TMZ Sports.

    The winner of the Heisman Trophy last year, awarded to the best player in college football, Daniels has seamlessly switched to the pro ranks, being named Rookie of the Year by the Professional Football Writers Association.

    But while his relaxed, smiling approach has won many admirers, quarterbacks in the NFL are judged by their numbers and Daniels’ record is impressive.

    In the regular season, he completed 331 of 480 passes, sixth best in the NFL, for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, ranking him seventh in the NFL for quarterback rating.

    He also had 148 rush attempts for 891 yards, second-most among NFL quarterbacks including six rushing touchdowns.

    While the numbers don’t quite justify Theismann’s claim for Daniels to be considered for the league’s Most Valuable Player award, two more wins would put him into a whole new category.

    But Daniels is not getting too far ahead of himself.

    “It’s a blessing to make it this far in the season,” he said.

    “I know that countless teams want to be in this position, so it is blessing. Can’t really take it for granted, but you also just gotta be in the moment and take it one day at a time,” he added.

    sev/rcw



    Washington’s star linebacker, Chase ‘Terminator’ Daniels, is on the brink of making NFL history. With one more win under his belt, Daniels will become the first player in league history to record 100 career sacks in just six seasons.

    Known for his relentless pursuit of quarterbacks and bone-crushing hits, Daniels has been a force to be reckoned with since entering the league as a first-round draft pick. His combination of speed, strength, and sheer determination has made him one of the most feared defenders in the NFL.

    Despite facing double teams and constant attention from opposing offenses, Daniels has continued to wreak havoc on the field, racking up sack after sack with his signature ferocity. Now, with the milestone of 100 career sacks within reach, Daniels is poised to etch his name in the record books as one of the greatest pass rushers of all time.

    As Washington gears up for their next game, all eyes will be on Daniels as he looks to make history and solidify his place among the NFL elite. Fans can’t wait to see ‘The Terminator’ in action and witness him add another chapter to his already impressive legacy.

    Tags:

    • Washington Terminator Daniels
    • NFL history
    • Washington football
    • Daniel’s record
    • NFL milestone
    • Washington quarterback
    • Football history
    • NFL achievements
    • Washington football team
    • Daniel’s legacy

    #Washingtons #Terminator #Daniels #win #NFL #history

  • How Jayden Daniels convinced the Commanders he’d be a star


    ASHBURN, Va. — Back in the spring, well before Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels had been named the starter, veteran teammates such as tight end Zach Ertz and wide receiver Terry McLaurin had a feeling the rookie would excel in the NFL.

    By the end of training camp, they were certain.

    “I was telling everyone that would listen how good he would be,” Ertz said. “Just something got me really excited. I knew there would be some growing pains, but his ability to work and his humility to get better is what sets him apart.”

    Now, the rest of the NFL is catching up.

    Daniels has been a transformational player for the Commanders, helping the franchise rebound from a 4-13 campaign in 2023 to a 14-5 record (including the playoffs) and playing in its first NFC Championship Game since the 1991 season. And if they can beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, Fox), he will become the first rookie QB to start in a Super Bowl.

    During the regular season, Daniels ranked fourth in QBR, behind MVP front-runners Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. Over his two postseason games, he has the highest Total QBR (86.8), throwing for 567 yards passing and four touchdowns and amassing another 87 yards rushing while fueling Washington to road upsets over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and top-seeded Detroit Lions in the wild-card and divisional rounds, respectively.

    Teammates, coaches and members of the organization say Daniels’ on-field success was sowed by what he has shown them behind the scenes since his arrival. They’ve observed a diligent student who loves to prepare, an inquisitive mind with attention to detail uncommon for rookie QBs, an instinctual leader, a cool head who embraces — and excels in — big moments and a competitor who’s also able to have fun in any situation.

    During a minicamp session in June, McLaurin — who had played with 10 different starting quarterbacks in Washington from 2019 to 2023 — was asked about Daniels. He beamed as he spoke about the rookie’s preparation and desire for extra reps after practice.

    A day later, as McLaurin warmed up on the sideline before practice, a reporter told the six-year pro that he had never looked or sounded so enthusiastic about a quarterback.

    “He’s the real deal,” McLaurin said.

    SHORTLY AFTER THE organized team activities began in late May, Ertz had seen enough of Daniels to make a bold comparison.

    “I compared him to Andrew Luck, which is the ultimate compliment,” Ertz said.

    Luck, the former first overall pick in 2012 who was tabbed as a generational quarterback prospect, played with Ertz at Stanford.

    “Andrew had a gravitational pull. Guys just wanted to be around him,” Ertz said. “He just wanted to be one of the guys and Jayden is very similar. Guys just want to be around him because he doesn’t view himself as anyone other than one of the guys.

    “His approach to the game has really been different compared to a lot of people I’ve been around. A lot of times when you’re young there’s a lot of trial and error and oftentimes, you’re reactionary in terms of how your process is: ‘After I fail a couple times maybe I’ll do X, Y and Z more.’ Whereas Jayden from the moment he first got here he was the first one in the building studying as much as possible.”

    Washington’s plan in the spring was to have Daniels earn the starting job through his preparation, habits and play throughout the offseason program. As a result, Daniels worked with the second unit while veteran Marcus Mariota took snaps as the starter.

    But for Ertz, it was clear early Daniels would be QB1 when the 2024 season started (the Commanders made it official on Aug. 19). Daniels’ eagerness to learn stood out. The rookie was constantly talking to veterans during practice, from Ertz to McLaurin to 11-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, peppering them with questions.

    Anticipating Daniels’ eventual promotion, Ertz said he began asking to run with the second-team offense in two-minute drills to get more time — and a head start — with Washington’s future quarterback.

    “The physical tools stood out immediately,” Ertz said, “the way the ball popped out of his hands. [But] it was the stuff that not everyone sees that stuck out the most.”

    Washington guard Sam Cosmi saw it too. When he signed a four-year, $74 million extension days before the season started, he cited Daniels as one of the reasons he was thrilled to have his future tied to the franchise.

    “We got a special, special dude,” Cosmi said in September. “That makes me excited to be here.”

    Daniels got the coaching staff’s attention early as well. During a rookie minicamp session in early May, passing game coordinator Brian Johnson was left in awe as he watched Daniels operate in practice.

    “He came out here and it was like bang, bang, bang, bang,” Johnson said. “Just completion after completion and the ball didn’t hit the ground. He had the install completely dialed and locked in. You become impressed, not only by the results [but] by the work and the action. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do — and he goes out there and does it every single day.”

    Daniels has continued his impressive displays to teammates throughout the season. During a late November practice, safety Jeremy Reaves played a coverage in a way that surprised Daniels. After practice, Daniels asked Reaves why he had done it that way, and, “Do I need to do better with my eyes here? From a concept standpoint how can we make it [better]?”

    “It’s refreshing,” Reaves said. “You don’t see that a lot.”

    Ertz agreed.

    “I’ve been around high draft picks — they feel they have all the answers,” Ertz said. “Jayden was the complete opposite. He’s asking me about certain plays, why I ran a certain route this time, how could the timing be a little better. It was the humility that stood out to me.”


    IN WEEK 5 against the Cleveland Browns, McLaurin finished with four catches for 112 yards. But up 31-6 in the third quarter, he couldn’t hang onto a pass in the corner of the end zone. It was not officially ruled a drop, but McLaurin considered it one and he had already fumbled that quarter.

    It bothered him on the bench, and Daniels noticed.

    “I expect a lot of myself,” McLaurin said. “He came over to me and sat down and talked to me and was like, ‘First of all, we’re winning. You’re playing great. You’re going to make that play nine times out of 10. We trust you and I trust you, so I’m going to continue to come back to you and don’t sweat the small mishaps.’”

    Later in the season against Atlanta, McLaurin was held to one catch for 5 yards. Again, Daniels noticed. And again, after throwing a third-quarter touchdown pass to Ertz, Daniels ran over to McLaurin and said, “Hey, look at me. Stay in it. You’re going to make a play.”

    McLaurin found opportunities to reciprocate. One week after beating the Browns, Washington lost at Baltimore 30-23. A visibly angry Daniels sat on a cooler next to the bench as the Ravens ran out the clock — it was a look McLaurin had not previously seen from the QB.

    “I’ve never seen a quarterback that upset after a game,” McLaurin said. “He wasn’t throwing his helmet, he wasn’t cussing anybody out, but you could see how mad and frustrated he was. That spoke to me. You could tell how much he cares. … I told him, ‘I love seeing that in you; don’t ever lose that fire of hating to lose a game. That’s what’s going to make you different.’”

    Daniels also has the ability to build relationships, which has especially been evident with Wagner — a Super Bowl champ and future Hall of Famer. The two developed a bond early on; Daniels talked often with veterans but became closer with the former leader of Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense.

    The ease with which Daniels developed a rapport with such a star veteran was uncommon for a rookie, teammates and coaches said. They sit together front and center in team meetings. They also bicker like siblings, with Daniels unafraid to needle the 13-year pro who is 10 years his senior.

    In a news conference earlier this month, Daniels began an answer about Wagner by saying, “He’s annoying” before praising Wagner’s leadership.

    When asked what was annoying about Wagner, Daniels deadpanned to reporters, “Everything.”

    On New Year’s Day, Wagner was asked about having Daniels and other rookies on their leadership committee. As he started to answer, Daniels walked past and said, “Shut up, Bobby.”

    “See, I’m trying to give him a compliment and on cue he just messes it up,” Wagner said.

    Daniels walked past again, and Wagner yelled to him, “Pull your pants up.”

    The reply: “Bobby Wagner’s annoying.”

    “This is how we’re starting the new year off,” Wagner said.


    DANIELS ARRIVES AT the Commanders’ facility between 5 and 5:30 a.m. every Wednesday through Friday during the season to begin working on the game plan for the upcoming opponent.

    Daniels spends around 30 minutes watching film, sometimes alone in the quarterbacks meeting room and other times on his iPad while soaking in the hot tub. Then, around 6 a.m., Daniels, Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard head over to the practice bubble to walk through the approximately 60 to 70 plays on the game plan list for that week.

    “I mean, 6 a.m. is early for a younger cat,” Kingsbury said, “[Daniels] wants to be there. That’s the thing I appreciate. I’ve never once felt that energy [from him] like, ‘Oh, here we go again.’ It’s like, ‘Let’s go!’ And that to me is the most impressive thing I’ve seen so far is just the want to be great and the competitive stamina to be … always open to learning.”

    Indeed, Daniels does preparation with Washington’s virtual reality technology — something he started his last year at LSU — and work on the headset either before or after practice every day. But Kingsbury said, “He likes to be out there doing it, seeing it.”

    “The best lesson in life is failure,” Daniels said of the extra reps the morning walk-throughs afford him. “So, I get to fail in those types of situations and move forward. So, by the time game time comes, I’m not thinking about [it], just going out there and playing.”

    To simulate game situations, Kingsbury calls in the plays with his phone, then runs routes. Daniels, wearing a helmet, gets the playcall through his AirPods before receiving the snap from Pritchard. Before the snap, Kingsbury tells Daniels what coverage he should expect and reminds him about his drops and reads. The goal, they say, is to paint a mental picture so Daniels can visualize what it would look like in a game.

    Kingsbury is often the primary receiver. Sometimes he’ll say he’s covered so Daniels has to find his next read. The three men go over various in-game scenarios: 30 seconds left, need a touchdown, red zone work. They’ll call out one-word plays that have multiple options and a specific snap count — a two-word play, Taylor Swift, resulted in a touchdown pass to rookie Ben Sinnott earlier this year.

    Kingsbury and Pritchard said Daniels rarely needs a reminder of his responsibility on a given play.

    “He’s had this material for less than 12 hours,” Pritchard said. “He’s really in tune with where we are already.”

    Daniels receives the game plan from the staff around 6 p.m. Tuesday, studies it for 90 minutes and often draws out the plays in a notebook.

    “When I can get here in the morning, I’m able to go in there and kind of just walk through it and I’ll visualize it, walk through this or the reads, footwork,” he said, “and if I have any questions? Kliff and [Pritchard] are answering them right then and there.”

    Daniels’ meticulous game prep doesn’t end in the bubble. He texts Kingsbury about plays he’s seen in other games or watched on YouTube. Kingsbury likes that the plays he sends match Washington’s concepts.

    On the morning of the season opener at Tampa Bay, Daniels asked Kingsbury for one more walk-through before heading to the stadium. So Kingsbury, Pritchard, assistant quarterbacks coach David Blough and quarterbacks Mariota and Jeff Driskel headed to a ballroom for one final round of mental reps. This scene has repeated itself every game-day morning since — a routine Kingsbury said he’s never seen before but helps explain what he’s seen from Daniels’ way of processing all along.

    “His football knowledge is beyond what I think any rookie quarterback anybody could ever possibly expect it to be,” Kingsbury said. “He’ll bring up things and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t even think about that, but it’s a valid point.’ He’ll make corrections on plays that I’ve designed, I’ll f— him up and he’ll be like, ‘No, no coach, you were on this side when we were doing our walk-through.’ ‘Really? Yeah. OK. You’re right.’”

    And a key part of that knowledge is homed in the bubble, ending around two and a half hours before the first team meeting of the day.

    “All I know,” one assistant coach said, “is that when I get here they’re coming out of the bubble.”


    DANIELS HAS ALREADY become known for being a late-game hero. He has led six game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime, which highlights the competitiveness and calmness under pressure teammates have seen from him all season.

    There was the 27-yard pass to McLaurin in a Week 3 “Monday Night Football” win over Cincinnati with 2:17 left for a 38-26 lead. He led game-winning drives versus the New York Giants in Week 2; against Chicago in Week 8; against Philadelphia in Week 16; against Atlanta in Week 17; and at Tampa Bay in the wild-card playoff win on Jan. 12.

    Daniels leads the NFL with six touchdown passes in the final four minutes of regulation (and posted a 95.6 quarterback rating).

    “It’s what you live for,” he said. “I’m just competitive, man. I just want to win. I’m going to do whatever it takes to win.”

    During practices, Washington’s quarterbacks will compete to see who the most accurate passer is while throwing into a net with three designated landing spots. On Fridays, they toss a ball from about 30 to 40 yards into a yellow garbage can positioned in the corner of the end zone. Afterward, Daniels and Blough play a game of HORSE with throws into the net.

    “He likes to trash talk. He’s got a good trash talk game. I’ll give him that,” Blough said. “I’m only 29, but he makes me feel like an old man sometimes and he can tell I don’t have the same arm strength I used to and it’s the reason I retired. He’ll remind me of that.”

    The joy Daniels brings while competing shows itself in each game. Washington guard Nick Allegretti said sometimes he’ll hear Daniels scream at the end of scrambles.

    “It’s the excitement to yell,” Allegretti said. “It’s like you’re stealing yards, and it brings energy to the whole team. It definitely gives him juice. Whenever that happens the flow just starts to feel really, really good. He’s cooking.”

    Teammates say Daniels is even-keeled in tense moments, which is a by-product, Daniels said, of all the work he’s put in behind the scenes — before the season and during.

    After Washington beat Tampa Bay with a last-second field goal, Daniels sat stone-faced on the bench for a second, before standing up, smiling and then calmly walking to an interview.

    “He has a very unique calmness about it,” Johnson said. “A silent assassin.”


    1. Introduction:
      In a stunning turn of events, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has managed to convince the Washington Commanders coaching staff that he has what it takes to be a star in the NFL. Let’s take a closer look at how he was able to do so.

    2. Impressive Performance in Training Camp:
      From the moment he stepped onto the field at training camp, Daniels turned heads with his arm strength, accuracy, and poise under pressure. He consistently outperformed his competition and showed a level of maturity beyond his years.

    3. Command of the Offense:
      Despite being a rookie, Daniels quickly picked up the playbook and demonstrated a deep understanding of the team’s offensive scheme. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions impressed coaches and teammates alike.

    4. Leadership Skills:
      Daniels didn’t just excel on the field, he also showed strong leadership qualities both on and off the field. He earned the respect of his teammates with his work ethic, humility, and willingness to learn from veterans.

    5. Preseason Success:
      In the preseason games, Daniels continued to shine, showing his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs. He led the Commanders to several impressive victories and proved that he could handle the pressure of playing in the NFL.

    6. Conclusion:
      In conclusion, Jayden Daniels’ impressive performance throughout training camp and the preseason has convinced the Washington Commanders that he has what it takes to be a star in the NFL. With his talent, work ethic, and leadership skills, Daniels is poised to make a significant impact in his rookie season and beyond.

    Tags:

    Jayden Daniels, Commanders, NFL, star quarterback, football, rookie sensation, Washington Commanders, Jayden Daniels interview, Commanders draft pick, future superstar, NFL rookie, Jayden Daniels highlights, Commanders quarterback, football news, Jayden Daniels success, Commanders roster.

    #Jayden #Daniels #convinced #Commanders #hed #star

  • NFC Championship QB matchup: Jalen Hurts vs. Jayden Daniels, who has the edge?


    The AFC Championship may feature the NFL’s chief quarterback rivalry, pitting Patrick Mahomes against Josh Allen for the fourth time in their respective postseason careers. The NFC title game is no slouch when it comes to star power under center, however, featuring its own duel of electric signal-callers.

    On one end: Jayden Daniels, the stellar rookie whose dual-threat heroics have quickly transformed the Washington Commanders from promising rebuild to big-stage contender. On the other: Jalen Hurts, whose MVP and Super Bowl bid just two seasons ago helped establish him as one of the steadiest winners at the position, even if fellow all-stars like Saquon Barkley now propel his Philadelphia Eagles.

    Which of the two NFC East quarterbacks is best positioned to reach the Super Bowl? We’ve studied the tape and the numbers to break down which playmaker has the edge going into the NFC Championship:

    The 2024 overview: Daniels vs. Hurts

    Jayden Daniels

    12-5

    25

    9

    69.0 7.4

    100.1

    891 6

    Jalen Hurts

    12-3

    18

    5

    68.7 8.0

    103.7

    630 14

    No matter how you slice it, Daniels has enjoyed one of the finest seasons ever produced by a rookie quarterback, and that’s considering C.J. Stroud’s pristine debut for the Houston Texans in 2023. He’s been a true one-man show for Washington, offsetting an otherwise inconsistent Commanders rushing attack with smooth moves outside the pocket, while threading the needle as both a short-area and deep-ball passer for play-caller Kliff Kingsbury. Superior defenses briefly halted his gaudy numbers earlier this year, but there’s really not a whole lot to critique about his game, and he’s still in Year 1 at the NFL level.

    Eagles vs. Commanders odds, NFC Championship expert picks: NFL playoffs best bets, where to watch, TV, stream

    Tyler Sullivan

    Eagles vs. Commanders odds, NFC Championship expert picks: NFL playoffs best bets, where to watch, TV, stream

    Hurts, meanwhile, has endured more of a “choppy” season, as he described it recently. His aerial marks are paltry by today’s passing standards, reinforcing just how much of the Eagles offense now runs through MVP-level ball carrier Saquon Barkley, whose home run breakaways have come with regularity. On the flip side, not so unlike Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts has seemingly mastered the ability to control the rock when it matters most, contributing more as a bruising crunch-time scrambler and especially selective passer to let Barkley and the team’s physical defense pave the way.

    Here’s how the two quarterbacks have fared just this postseason:

    Jayden Daniels

    2-0

    4

    0

    69.7 8.6 116.2 89 0

    Jalen Hurts

    2-0

    2

    0

    68.3 6.3 101.6 106 1

    Daniels, again, has done more through the air, notably vaulting his yards per attempt from the regular season, whereas Hurts has taken even more of a back seat to the Eagles’ more methodical but equally victorious approach: stick to the ground game and hold onto the football.

    What can these numbers — and other advanced statistics — tell us in addition to the eye test? What lies beneath the surface? Let’s proceed.

    Note: Advanced statistics referenced below are courtesy of NFL Pro.

    Accuracy

    Hurts has come a long way since the earliest days of his NFL career, when he was far more scattershot with ball placement. Seven different times this season he eclipsed 20 pass attempts while completing at least 70% of those throws. In other words, when he’s let it rip, he’s generally been very on-target. Daniels has been just a smidge better, showcasing his snappy arm with five different starts of at least a 75% completion rate. Also helping his cause: He’s thrown it significantly more than Hurts in 2024, meaning he’s not only matched his rival’s accuracy on paper but done it with more regularity and rhythm.

    Edge: Daniels

    Ball control

    Daniels’ heavier workload as the centerpiece of the Commanders’ offense hasn’t steered him into the turnover sprees of, say, 2023 starter Sam Howell. In fact, he’s totaled fewer giveaways (nine) than Hurts (10) while also playing two more games. Yet Hurts has really rebounded from an early-season bout with forced throws, making ball control his No. 1 priority for the stretch run, whereas seven of Daniels’ nine interceptions came in the back half of the schedule. Hurts has also been especially careful in the playoffs, losing the ball just once, either via fumble or pick, in his six postseason matchups since 2022.

    Edge: Hurts

    Big-play magic

    Simplistically, Daniels is widely viewed as the hot new do-it-all star, whereas Hurts registers more as the scrappy but unconventional figurehead of an all-star Eagles lineup. Yet the numbers suggest Hurts is actually more likely to throw the ball farther down the field (8.0 air yards per attempt vs. 7.6 for Daniels). He’s also got more 20-yard runs (8) than Daniels (7), including playoffs. In truth, these guys about as even as it gets when it comes to generating explosive plays. Hurts’ current knee injury could well affect his upside in this area, so we’re going to break the mold and call this a straight-up draw.

    Edge: Even

    Rushing impact

    How do you define “impact”? If it’s critical short-yardage efficiency you need, Hurts is your man. His 66 first-down carries and 15 touchdown runs, including playoffs, outweigh Daniels’ marks in those areas. Complicating his assessment, however, is the knee injury that seemed to affect his mobility at the end of the Eagles’ divisional-round victory. Daniels is a much different type of runner, practically coasting down the field rather than bowling through contact, but the freshness of his legs could work in his favor here. The fact he racked up close to 900 yards on the ground and no one batted an eye should speak volumes.

    Edge: Daniels

    Situational poise

    The more you dig into these two, the more you realize just how exciting their NFC East battles could be not only on Sunday but for years to come. This category is a big reason why. Daniels has been virtually unfazed by adversity as a rookie, guiding five different fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives. He’s also posted his best passer rating when trailing, excelling rather than folding in the face of challenge. Hurts deserves just as much respect for his own unflappable posture, which was seen on the biggest stage of them all in 2022, but Daniels is also bearing a bigger load as a rookie. Man, it’s close.

    Edge: Even

    Home vs. road splits

    Daniels has actually been a more effective passer on the road than at home, upping his completion rate from 64.6% to 74.6% in away contests. That bodes well for his return to Philadelphia. Hurts has really thrived at Lincoln Financial Field, though, and his comfort as a home quarterback extends back years; he’s now 23-5 as a starter at the Linc since 2022, including playoffs.

    Edge: Hurts

    Head-to-head history

    Technically these two have only met twice, but even their existing series should carry an asterisk, as Hurts missed roughly three quarters of their last matchup, in December, due to a concussion. The first time they squared off, Daniels was relatively neutralized, rushing for just 18 yards and throwing for fewer than 200 as the Eagles controlled the ball. The last time they met, Daniels feasted on defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s blitz-heavier approach, tossing five touchdowns in a last-minute comeback win.

    Edge: Even

    The final verdict

    The tally from our seven categories is as follows:

    1. Jalen Hurts (2)
    2. Jayden Daniels (2)
    3. Even (3)

    Hard to get much tighter than this, isn’t it? And the thing is, even if you swing the pendulum for one category (like giving Daniels the nod in situational poise thanks to his improbable calmness as a first-year player), you could just as easily do the same for another (like giving Hurts the nod for big-play magic, since he’s shown up in big spots over a longer sample size). It speaks to the intrigue of this NFC championship, where Daniels seemingly has the power to single-handedly guide another upset, but Hurts has enough moxie to pair with Philadelphia’s formidable supporting cast to get back to the Super Bowl. Buckle in.





    In this highly anticipated NFC Championship QB matchup, we have two dynamic young quarterbacks going head to head: Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles and Jayden Daniels of the Arizona Cardinals. Both signal-callers have had impressive seasons leading their teams to this point, but the question remains – who has the edge in this crucial playoff showdown?

    Jalen Hurts, the dual-threat quarterback from Alabama, has been a revelation for the Eagles this season. He has shown off his athleticism and playmaking ability, both with his arm and his legs. Hurts has the ability to extend plays and make things happen when the pocket breaks down, which has made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. With his leadership and poise under pressure, Hurts has proven himself to be a true franchise quarterback in the making.

    On the other side, Jayden Daniels has been a steady presence for the Cardinals all season long. The young quarterback out of Arizona State has shown off his accuracy and decision-making skills, leading Arizona to a successful season. Daniels has a strong arm and the ability to make all the throws, making him a dangerous threat to any defense. With his ability to read defenses and make quick decisions, Daniels has the potential to be a game-changer in this matchup.

    So, who has the edge in this NFC Championship QB matchup? It’s a tough call, as both Hurts and Daniels bring unique skills to the table. Hurts’ athleticism and playmaking ability could give him the edge in this matchup, but Daniels’ accuracy and decision-making could also prove to be the difference-maker. Ultimately, it will come down to which quarterback can rise to the occasion and lead their team to victory in this high-stakes game. One thing is for sure – this is a matchup that fans won’t want to miss.

    Tags:

    • NFC Championship
    • Jalen Hurts
    • Jayden Daniels
    • QB matchup
    • NFC Championship QB matchup
    • Hurts vs Daniels
    • Jalen Hurts vs Jayden Daniels
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    • NFC Championship game preview

    #NFC #Championship #matchup #Jalen #Hurts #Jayden #Daniels #edge

  • Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game for the Divisional Round: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels


    For each game he broadcasts during the 2024 NFL season all the way through Super Bowl LIX, FOX Sports lead NFL analyst Tom Brady is awarding his LFG Player of the Game to that one player he sees on the field who makes him say …

    “LET’S F***ING GO!!!”

    In the divisional round, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took home the award after leading his team to a monumental 45-31 upset over the Detroit Lions. The win marked one of the biggest upsets in recent NFL playoff history, and Daniels moved one game closer to becoming the first rookie quarterback to start in a Super Bowl.

    Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: Commanders’ Jayden Daniels

    Daniels made several pivotal plays on Saturday night. He torched the Lions’ secondary, particularly in the second quarter. He guided the Commanders to a lead over the Lions in the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history, as he completed 14 of 21 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns with a 137.4 passer rating in the first half.

    [Check out our hub for all things Tom Brady here!]

    Daniels didn’t add too many yards in the second half, but he continued to execute on plays when they mattered the most. He converted on two fourth-down attempts, running for a 3-yard gain on a fourth-and-2 and targeting Terry McLaurin on a fourth-and-1, to set up touchdowns. 

    In the final five minutes, Daniels made another big throw. He connected with backup tight end John Bates for a 20-yard gain on a third down that helped the Commanders run the clock even more.

    Those plays made Brady impressed with Daniels’ poise as the FOX cameras showed the rookie appearing stoic through all of Saturday’s chaos. Brady wondered what made Daniels so composed in those key moments in Detroit.

    “Just the preparation,” Daniels told Brady. “[Commanders offensive coordinator] Kliff [Kingsbury] and me, we talk countless hours about everything, how we want to attack the defense. I see what I see. I trust my eyes and I prepare for these moments like this.”

    The preparation from Kingsbury has helped Daniels put up arguably the best rookie season of all time for a quarterback. He led the Commanders to a 12-5 record in the regular season — an eight-win turnaround from where they were last year — and threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions to go with 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

    As Brady noted Daniels’ confidence throughout Saturday’s game, he wondered who enabled him to feel certain about his abilities. 

    Commanders’ Jayden Daniels converts CLUTCH fourth down, leading to a TD to help defeat Lions

    “I think it’s the whole offensive staff,” Daniels said. “They do a great job of putting what I know I can handle on my plate, which I feel like is a lot and they feel that too. And I just prepare. I prepare the right way. I don’t cheat the game. You’ve got to put in the work to put the product out on Sundays. So, I just thank my coaching staff, really.”

    That coaching staff has now helped Daniels reach the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. Before Daniels prepares for next week’s title tilt, Brady wanted to know one last thing: Does Daniels think he’s a better thrower or runner?

    “Man, I think it’s the best of both worlds,” Daniels said in response. “There’s guys in the league that make plays with both, and I consider myself one of them.” 

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    In a thrilling Divisional Round matchup, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels shines as the LFG Player of the Game, leading his team to a decisive victory against the defending champions. Check out the post to see how Daniels outplayed Tom Brady and solidified his status as a rising star in the league. #JaydenDaniels #LFGPlayerOfTheGame #CommandersWin

    Tags:

    Tom Brady, LFG, Player of the Game, Divisional Round, Commanders QB, Jayden Daniels, NFL playoffs, standout performance, key plays, game highlights, post-game analysis

    #Tom #Bradys #LFG #Player #Game #Divisional #Commanders #Jayden #Daniels

  • Jayden Daniels has a question for Tom Brady after Commanders’ playoff win


    Tom Brady acknowledges fans as he walks into the tunnel before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

    Tom Brady acknowledges fans as he walks into the tunnel before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

    After every game where he’s on the call for Fox Sports, the legendary Tom Brady hands out the LFG Player of the Game award.

    On Saturday night, Brady and Kevin Burkhardt were in Detroit for the NFC divisional round showdown between the top-seeded Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders.

    The game had a surprising result, with the Commanders entering Detroit and knocking the Lions off in a 45-31 victory.

    After the game, Brady named Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels as his LFG Player of the Game. That meant Brady would interview Daniels.

    Daniels had a question of his own, though.

    “I wanna ask you what LFG stands for,” the rookie sensation asked Brady.

    “It’s inappropriate. It’s a family-friendly program,” the greatest of all time responded.

    Tweets by JayD__5

    You can probably deduce what “LFG” stands for, but Daniels was excited about the opportunity to play in a game with Brady on the call for the first time this season.

    Daniels completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns in Washington’s upset win. He also rushed for 51 yards, did not turn the ball over, and was not sacked.

    Next week, Brady and Daniels will reunite in the NFC championship game. Washington will find out its destination on Sunday, whether in Philadelphia or Los Angeles.

    This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Jayden Daniels has a question for Tom Brady after Commanders’ playoff win





    In the aftermath of the Washington Commanders’ thrilling playoff victory, quarterback Jayden Daniels had a burning question for legendary QB Tom Brady.

    After leading his team to a hard-fought win, Daniels couldn’t help but wonder how Brady managed to stay at the top of his game for so many years. With seven Super Bowl titles to his name, Brady’s longevity and success are unparalleled in the NFL.

    In a post-game press conference, Daniels expressed his admiration for Brady and his desire to learn from the GOAT himself. “I just want to know, Tom, how do you do it? How do you stay so consistent and dominant year after year? I want to emulate your work ethic and mindset to achieve the same level of success in my career.”

    As Daniels continues to make a name for himself in the league, it’s clear that he looks up to Brady as a role model and mentor. Perhaps one day, he’ll be able to sit down with the future Hall of Famer and pick his brain on what it takes to be a true football legend.

    Tags:

    1. Jayden Daniels
    2. Tom Brady
    3. Commanders
    4. Playoff win
    5. NFL
    6. Quarterbacks
    7. Football
    8. Sports
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    10. Post-game analysis

    #Jayden #Daniels #question #Tom #Brady #Commanders #playoff #win

  • Washington Commanders 45-31 Detroit Lions: Quarterback Jayden Daniels sends top seeds Detroit to playoff exit | NFL News


    Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels stunned top-seed Detroit Lions as the Commanders reached their first NFC title game in 33 years at Ford Field in Michigan.

    Daniels threw for two touchdowns and fellow rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions – dazzling performances that sent the Lions to an early playoff exit.

    The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favourites (15-3), who doomed their chances of living up to expectations by turning the ball over five times.

    Sainristil, who won a national title at Michigan last season, picked off his second pass on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter.

    Safety Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to put Washington ahead 24-14.

    Lions’ quarterback Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in the ill-fated first half. He finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their last lead midway through the second quarter.

    Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing and became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee in 2009.

    Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his five-yard touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions during the first half
    Image:
    Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) celebrates his five-yard touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions during the first half

    First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders rallied past Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback win and fifth straight on the final play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime.

    Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – to take a 31-21 lead at halftime.

    Daniels had 242 yards passing in the first half, setting a rookie record one week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in yards rushing and passing in a playoff win.

    Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.

    Goff fumbled in a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the first quarter and Washington took advantage.

    Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) congratulates running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) on his touchdown run against the Washington Commanders
    Image:
    Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) congratulates running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) on his touchdown run against the Washington Commanders

    Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive capped by Robinson’s two-yard touchdown run.

    Three snaps after Daniels’ touchdown throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended target and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14. Goff took a hit from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.

    Detroit’s defense could not stop the Commanders all night, and Washington set a season-high in points.

    The Lions started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and going 76 yards on 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ eight-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.

    Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.

    What’s next?

    Washington will play the winner of Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles game next Sunday on the road for a spot in the Super Bowl, live on Sky Sports NFL.



    In a stunning upset, the Washington Commanders defeated the top-seeded Detroit Lions with a score of 45-31 in a thrilling playoff showdown. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was the star of the game, throwing for four touchdowns and leading his team to victory.

    The Commanders came into the game as underdogs, but they quickly showed that they were not to be underestimated. Daniels was a force to be reckoned with, showcasing his skills and proving that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

    The Lions, who had been dominant throughout the regular season, were unable to contain Daniels and the Commanders’ offense. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to overcome the deficit and ultimately fell short in their quest for a playoff win.

    With this victory, the Commanders have punched their ticket to the next round of the playoffs, while the Lions are left to reflect on what went wrong. It was a tough loss for Detroit, but they can take solace in the fact that they had a successful season overall.

    As for Washington, they will look to carry this momentum into their next game and continue their improbable playoff run. With Jayden Daniels leading the way, anything is possible for the Commanders. Stay tuned for more NFL news and updates as the playoffs continue to unfold.

    Tags:

    Washington Commanders, Detroit Lions, Jayden Daniels, NFL News, Playoff Exit, Quarterback, Top Seeds, Game Recap, NFL Playoffs, Washington vs Detroit, NFL Updates, Football News, Sports News, Touchdowns, Interceptions, Playoffs, Wild Card Round, Washington Football Team

    #Washington #Commanders #Detroit #Lions #Quarterback #Jayden #Daniels #sends #top #seeds #Detroit #playoff #exit #NFL #News

  • Jayden Daniels matches record held by Pittsburgh Steelers legend


    Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels equaled a record held by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in his rookie 2004 season. That year, Roethlisberger helped lead the Steelers to a 15-1 record after stepping in for Tommy Maddox.

    Throughout that season, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to the AFC Championship and 14 wins overall. Daniels has now matched that after leading the Commanders to a 45-31 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday.

    Daniels was spectacular on Saturday. He completed 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns while adding 51 more yards on the ground.

    The Commanders drafted Daniels with the second overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, directly after the Chicago Bears picked Caleb Williams first overall.

    The former LSU star stuck in a big time way, and his breakout campaign in Baton Rouge a season ago shot him up draft boards quickly.

    Now, he turned around the Commanders, who were a 4-13 team a year ago, into a group that is now heading into the NFC Championship.

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    “Jayden Daniels Matches Record Held by Pittsburgh Steelers Legend”

    Arizona State quarterback Jayden Daniels made history in a recent game by matching a record previously held by Pittsburgh Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw. Daniels threw for over 400 yards and five touchdowns in a single game, a feat that has only been accomplished by Bradshaw in Steelers history.

    The talented young quarterback has been making waves in the college football world with his impressive performances and incredible skill on the field. By matching a record held by a Hall of Famer like Bradshaw, Daniels has solidified his place as one of the top quarterbacks in the game today.

    Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about Daniels’ remarkable achievement and are eager to see what else he has in store for the remainder of the season. With his combination of talent, poise, and determination, there’s no telling how far he can go in his football career.

    Congratulations to Jayden Daniels on this incredible accomplishment and here’s to many more records being broken in the future! #JaydenDaniels #TerryBradshaw #CollegeFootball #RecordsBroken

    Tags:

    1. Jayden Daniels
    2. Pittsburgh Steelers legend
    3. Football records
    4. College football news
    5. Arizona State quarterback
    6. NCAA football highlights
    7. Record-breaking performances
    8. Sports news
    9. Jayden Daniels news
    10. Pittsburgh Steelers history

    #Jayden #Daniels #matches #record #held #Pittsburgh #Steelers #legend

  • Jayden Daniels: Washington Commanders rookie quarterback has team dreaming of Super Bowl return | NFL News


    The Washington Commanders are 60 minutes away from a first appearance in the NFC Championship game for 33 years, the same 1991 season in which the franchise secured their third Super Bowl.

    There have been some fallow years since, with only seven playoff appearances – containing only three victories – stretched over the three decades since.

    Last season, the team finished with a 4-13 record, securing them the No 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and oh how grateful they were.


    Live NFL


    Sunday 19th January 1:00am


    Selecting quarterback Jayden Daniels out of LSU, the rookie sensation has completely changed the fortunes of this fading NFL force and made them relevant, made them contenders again.

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    Watch Jayden Daniels’ best plays from a historical performance against the Cincinnati Bengals where he set an NFL rookie record for completion percentage at 91.3

    Daniels is practically seen as a shoo-in for Offensive Rookie of the Year honours at the NFL’s end-of-season awards, finishing the regular season with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and only nine interceptions to his name, as well as a massive 891 yards and six further scores rushing.

    Along the way there have been some huge highs, none more so than when the 24-year-old sent the league into a frenzy with a miracle Hail Mary touchdown to see the Commanders beat the Chicago Bears as time expired in Week Eight.

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    Washington Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels throws an incredible ‘Hail Mary’ touchdown to Noah Brown as time expires to seal a stunning win over the Chicago Bears

    With zeros on the clock and the Commanders trailing 15-12, Daniels scurried back and forth from inside his own half before finally launching a desperate heave towards the end zone, where the ball bobbled off a crowd of players and into the grateful waiting hands of a wide-open Noah Brown for a 52-yard walk-off touchdown.

    Daniels held the ball for 12.79 seconds during the play leading to the touchdown, marking the first touchdown pass with a time to throw upwards of 10 seconds since Next Gen Stats began in 2016.

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    Highlights from the Chicago Bears against the Washington Commanders from Week Eight of the NFL season

    “That’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Daniels said at the time, while the incredible finish elicited quite the response in the Sky Sports studio.

    “If J-Bell [Jason Bell] is out of words, that’s a problem!” laughed Super Bowl-winning defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. “They can build as a team off of this.

    “You think back to Odell Beckham Jr’s big catch in New York like J-Bell mentioned, this could be huge and monumental for this organisation if they continue to ride this wave.”

    And ride that wave the Commanders did. After a three-game skid mid-season that briefly threatened their playoff hopes, Daniels led the team on a five-game win streak to book their place in the postseason… which he just extended to six with another hugely impressive showing on his playoff debut.

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    Highlights of the Washington Commanders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend of the NFL

    Daniels threw for 268 yards and two scores in 23-20 road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend but what was most impressive was the fact that the team was trailing entering the fourth quarter, while he helped orchestrate the game-winning drive in the final four-and-a-half minutes with the two teams all tied up. Unflustered and unfazed.

    “Sure, it’s not a one-man game, but Jayden Daniels is a huge reason for the turnaround in Washington,” Sky Sports’ Neil Reynolds said on the latest episode of the Inside The Huddle podcast.

    “The kid’s heart rate hardly went up or down through three hours of a playoff game. That’s why Washington have won six in a row, and the last five of those have been decided in the final minute.

    “You don’t want to live that way all the time, but when you’ve got a kid that’s not afraid to be in that environment, that’s something – especially as you now go to a really tricky place, to Detroit, in the playoffs.”

    A former coach with the Buffalo Bills, Phoebe Schecter added: “This young man, he plays like a veteran, like a pro.

    “We have very rarely seen a rookie come in and be able to do something like this – even you look at how CJ Stroud played [for Houston Texans] last year. There are levels to how he was and how Jayden Daniels is.

    “His ability to extend the play, and the moment is never too big for him.

    “You watch the game last week against the Bucs, he is just cool as a cucumber.

    “The game against the Lions, the stage isn’t going to be too big for him. I think it’s going to be challenging… but he is just loving what he’s doing.”

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    Speaking on the Inside The Huddle podcast, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold say how impressed they’ve been with the Detroit Lions

    That is indeed the next challenge that faces Daniels and this team, with the sixth-seeded Commanders now heading to Detroit to face the NFC’s No 1-ranked Lions, who are eyeing two-straight NFC Championship appearances.

    The Lions have lost only two games all season and are heavy favourites for Saturday’s clash – live on Sky Sports NFL from 1.15am in the early hours of Sunday morning – but they’re taking the Commanders, and specifically Daniels, very seriously.

    “He’s dangerous; he poses a major threat,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Daniels. “He does not play the position like a rookie quarterback. He’s a difference-maker.

    “You can tell he understands how to run that offense and what they’re asking him to do. And he’s got weapons. I mean, boy, they’ve got weapons.”

    Detroit have plenty of weapons too, mind you. This is the NFL’s top-ranked team in scoring offense, putting up a massive 33.2 points per game, while their 409.5 yards per game is second only to the Baltimore Ravens’ staggering average of 424.9.

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    Take a look at the best trick plays from the Detroit Lions the in 2024 NFL season including Jared Goff catching touchdowns, lateral passes and even fake fumbles

    The Lions are many people’s Super Bowl favourites and the general consensus is that this is where Daniels’ nice little rookie run comes to an end. Not that he is listening to any of that noise.

    “I kind of stay in my own bubble right now, focus on what’s next,” Daniels said ahead of the Divisional Round matchup with the Lions.

    “We’re not going to give up until the clock hits zero. We’re going to keep fighting until the end.”

    Watch the Washington Commanders at the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, live on Sky Sports NFL in the early hours of Sunday morning, with kick-off at 1.15am.



    Jayden Daniels: Washington Commanders rookie quarterback has team dreaming of Super Bowl return

    The Washington Commanders may have found their quarterback of the future in rookie Jayden Daniels. The former Arizona State standout has impressed coaches and teammates alike with his poise, arm strength, and leadership on and off the field.

    With Daniels at the helm, the Commanders have their sights set on a return to the Super Bowl. The team has struggled in recent years, but Daniels’ arrival has injected new life into the franchise. His ability to make plays with his arm and his legs has given the offense a dynamic dimension that it has been lacking in recent seasons.

    Daniels’ work ethic and dedication to his craft have also endeared him to his teammates, who see him as a natural leader and someone they can rally around. His willingness to put in the extra work in the film room and on the practice field has already started to pay dividends, as he has quickly developed a rapport with his receivers and is beginning to master the playbook.

    If Daniels can continue to progress and develop at the rate he has been, there is no doubt that the Commanders could be legitimate contenders in the NFC. With a talented roster around him and a hungry fan base behind him, the sky is the limit for Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting season ahead.

    Tags:

    1. Jayden Daniels
    2. Washington Commanders
    3. Rookie quarterback
    4. Super Bowl
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    #Jayden #Daniels #Washington #Commanders #rookie #quarterback #team #dreaming #Super #Bowl #return #NFL #News

  • Commanders’ Jayden Daniels breaks Andrew Luck’s record for offensive yards by a rookie


    “We knew we were gonna have to put up points,” Daniels said after the win. “That’s a very explosive offense over there with a lot of great players, and we knew we had to go out there and put up points.”

    The achievement comes six days after Daniels led the Commanders to a wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the franchise’s first postseason triumph since the 2005 season. He also became the first Washington rookie QB since Hall of Famer Sammy Baugh to lead the franchise to a playoff victory, a feat Baugh accomplished in 1937.

    For the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, it’s the latest in a phenomenal first year in which he’s used his arm, legs and poise beyond his years to turn around a long-beleaguered franchise.

    “He just has a different poise about him than most, and he’s a rare competitor,” head coach Dan Quinn said of Daniels. “There’s no doubt about that.”

    Daniels finished the regular season with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, just nine interceptions, a rookie QB record 891 rushing yards and six rushing TDs.

    He’s kept up the production in the playoffs at a record-breaking pace.



    In a historic performance, Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels breaks Andrew Luck’s record for offensive yards in a single season by a rookie. Daniels, who has been a standout performer all season, surpassed Luck’s record of 4,374 yards with a stellar performance in the Commanders’ latest game.

    Daniels’ record-breaking performance comes as no surprise to fans and analysts who have been impressed with his poise, accuracy, and playmaking ability all season. The rookie signal-caller has quickly established himself as one of the league’s rising stars and looks poised to have a long and successful career in the NFL.

    Congratulations to Jayden Daniels on this incredible accomplishment! Commanders’ fans can look forward to many more record-breaking performances from their talented young quarterback in the years to come. #Commanders #JaydenDaniels #RecordBreaker #RookieSensation

    Tags:

    Commanders, Jayden Daniels, Andrew Luck, rookie record, offensive yards, NFL, football, Washington Commanders, Arizona State, quarterback, record-breaking performance, sports news

    #Commanders #Jayden #Daniels #breaks #Andrew #Lucks #record #offensive #yards #rookie