For the first two weeks, Washington fans wondered when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin would get on the same page.
In Washington’s season-opening loss to Tampa Bay, McLaurin broke open deep on a couple of occasions, and either Daniels missed him or didn’t throw it.
McLaurin, as always, remained patient. Daniels missed McLaurin deep again in the first half of Monday night’s 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, that disappointment was short-lived as the rookie passer finally connected deep with McLaurin for a 55-yard completion to set up first-and-goal and the Commanders’ second touchdown.
The duo wasn’t finished, though. In the fourth quarter, up 31-26 with over two minutes remaining, the Commanders faced a third-and-7. Would offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury play it safe and go for the field goal?
Of course, he wouldn’t. Instead, Kingsbury showed complete faith in his rookie quarterback, who delivered a strike to McLaurin in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown. It was a picture-perfect throw and catch.
Here’s the play:
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1838409377935691793
Next Gen Stats tracked the throw and catch, calling it the most improbable touchdown reception at 10.3% of the 2024 season thus far. And, more incredibly, the most improbable Commanders’ completion in the Next Gen Stats (2016 to now).
https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1838411501516063050
It was a breakout night for the Daniels/McLaurin connection as Washington’s passing game continues to evolve.