Tag: TE Zach Ertz

Quick facts from Commanders’ NFC Championship loss

Several quick facts/numbers from NFC championship.

The Commanders’ dream season reached a bitter conclusion Sunday as Washington was beaten badly by the Eagles 55-23 in this season’s NFC Championship game played in Philadelphia.

Here are some of the quick facts from the Commanders’ season-ending loss to the Eagles:

  • Four times, the Commanders turned over the ball. The Eagles seized the opportunity every time, turning it into a Philadelphia touchdown.
  • The Commanders surrendered over 200 yards rushing to the Eagles in both regular season meetings. In this NFC Championship game, they gave up another 229 rushing yards.
  • The Eagles’ 55 points is the most in history in an AFC/ NFC Championship game.
  • The Eagles’ seven rushing touchdowns are the most in NFC Championship game history and tied for the most in NFL playoff history.
  • The Commanders’ loss drops their NFC Championship game record to 5-2.
  • The Commanders entered the NFC Championship Game with a +6 turnover margin in two playoff victories. However, Sunday the Commanders were a -4 in a lopsided loss.
  • Washington ran 18 plays on their first possession, resulting in a field goal. The Eagles then responded with a touchdown in only 18 seconds.
  • The Eagles ran 66 offensive plays and averaged 7.0 yards a play, accumulating 459 total yards.
  • As expected, the Eagles’ interior lines controlled both sides of the ball, out-rushing the Commanders 229-99 while averaging 6.4 yards, a rushing attempt to Washington’s 4.0.
  • Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was quite effective, completing 20 of 28 passing attempts for 246 yards, a passing touchdown, and no interceptions.
  • Saquon Barkley accumulated 118 rushing yards on only 15 carries, and Will Shipley 77 on only four carries.
  • The Eagles led 34-23 before outscoring the Commanders 21-0 in the final quarter.
  • Though he did not make the Super Bowl, quarterback Jayden Daniels has now thrown for the most postseason passing yards by a rookie in NFL history.
  • WR Terry McLaurin became the sixth player in franchise history to record 3-plus receiving touchdowns in the postseason, joining Art Monk, Gary Clark, Alvin Garrett, Charlie Brown and Roy Jefferson.
  • Zach Ertz caught 11 passes for 104 yards. The 11 receptions is a new franchise record for a playoff game, passing Art Monk (10) in 1990.

Quinn names Commanders’ captains for postseason

And a very special honorary captain.

Dan Quinn continued his Friday tradition of naming the captains for the upcoming Commanders game.

During the regular season, Quinn, on Fridays, would name the three captains for that weekend’s game. This time, Quinn announced there would be five captains, not three. In addition, he referred to them as “captains elected by the team.” The five captains are WR Terry McLaurin, LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz, S Jeremy Reaves, and QB Jayden Daniels. Quinn then announced that Doug Williams would serve as an honorary captain.

McLaurin, age 29, and in his sixth season, led the team with 82 receptions, 1,096 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, 13.4 yards per reception, and 56 first downs.

Wagner, age 34, led the team in tackles (132), solo tackles (75), assists (57), and tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries (2).

Ertz,, also 34, stayed healthy enough to start and play all 17 games, catching 66 passes for seven touchdowns and 38 first downs.

Reaves is still recognized by his teammates as a leader on the coverage units. Quinn Friday told of how, in the very first OTA, Reaves came to work right away and impressed Quinn with an interception he made that day.

Daniels is the only rookie to be named a postseason captain. He rushed for 891 yards, an average of 6.0 per carry. He also passed for 3,568 yards, completing 69 percent for 25 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. Quinn stated, “I thought, what a great tribute by his teammates to name him. I thought just humble; he’s hungry and ready for the moment.”

Quinn said he “added a captain,” referring to Williams, who serves as Senior Advisor to the General Manager Adam Peters. “And I think it’s hard to describe his impact on our team, his support, and I love that dude.”

Quinn expressed Daniels and Williams are “very connected and it’s nice for both of them to see this relationship…That’s their relationship, and so the only things, whether it’s quarterback-wise or being in this community, that Doug has a special lens for that. And I think he is the best person to share that. And you feel Doug’s support.”

When they last met: Commanders and Cowboys

It was a wild game the last time these two teams met.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Dallas 34, Washington 26 – Week 12, November 24, 2024

The Washington Commanders gave up two kickoff returns for touchdowns and missed two extra points, falling to the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

The Commanders looked a step slow from the very beginning of the game, and the loss to the 4-7 Cowboys gave Washington (7-5) its third consecutive loss.

Washington kicker Austin Seibert had been having a good year, but on this November Sunday, he missed an extra point in the third quarter and another in the final minute. The latter would have tied the game at 27-27 with 21 seconds remaining, most likely sending it into overtime.

However, Washington attempted an onside kick, which Juanyeh Thomas caught on the bounce and easily ran unchallenged to the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown for the final margin.

Trailing Dallas 20-9, Jayden Daniels connected with Zach Ertz from four yards, and the two-point Daniels run narrowed their deficit to 20-17.

However, on the kickoff, Cowboys’ returner KaVontae Turpin fumbled the ball, picked it up, spun to his left, and found no outside containment by the Commanders, which meant the lead was extended to 27-17 on his 99-yard return at 2:49.

Seibert’s 51-yard field goal split the uprights at 1:40 remaining, making the score 27-20. After a defensive stop, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin from 86 yards out with 21 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Seibert to tie the game. However, he missed.

The Commanders blocked both a punt and a field goal attempt in the first half but also had two Jayden Daniels interceptions and a John Bates fumble. The Cowboys won the game, ending their five-game losing streak.

Quick facts from the Commanders’ Week 15 win over the Saints

Some quick facts and numbers from the Commanders’ win over the Saints.

The Commanders survived and that’s about all they did late, holding on dearly for a 20-19 win over the Saints at Caesars Stadium in New Orleans.

Here are some of the quick facts from the ninth win of the Commanders’ season:

  • It was ugly, and they were holding on for dear life, but it was the Commanders’ 9th win of the year. The first time that has happened since the 2015 season. Ron Rivera often mentioned how they were division winners in 2020, but it was a losing 7-9 season.
  • The Commanders were 9 for 17 on third downs today and 1-1 on fourth down.
  • The Commanders ran 74 offensive plays to only 51 for the Saints. However, their drives were killed by giving up an obscene eight quarterback sacks.
  • Today, the Commanders were called for nine penalties for a loss of 84 yards. The most crucial was a Dyami Brown reception which would have allowed the Commanders to run the clock down to less than a minute, but a holding penalty negated it.
  • Today was the tale of two games: Washington dominated the first two and one-half quarters by a 17-0 margin. However, in the last one-and-one-half quarter, the Saints outscored the Commanders 19-3.
  • Jayden Daniels completed 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards, two touchdown passes, and no interceptions, but he was sacked eight times!
  • For the third game this season, the Commanders allowed 0 first-half points. The last time they accomplished this feat was in the 2015 season.
  • Terry McLaurin had seven receptions for 73 yards and two touchdown receptions, which gave McLaurin 11 receiving touchdowns this season, a career-high.
  • Terry McLaurin’s two first-half touchdown receptions was the second time he has done this in 2024. The last time a Washington player caught two touchdowns in a half was Jordan Reed in 2015.
  • Dominating the first half, the Commanders had a 13-2 lead in first downs, were 6-9 on third downs while the Saints were only 1-6, and had outgained the Saints 165-38. However, they only led 14-0.
  • Veteran wide receiver Jamison Crowder missed most of the season on injured reserve. Returning today, he contributed three receptions for 27 yards.
  • With the loss of KR/ RB Austin Ekeler, Luke McCaffrey today stepped in and had three returns for 30+ yards.
  • TE Zach Ertz made a nice one-handed grab but was injured on the tackle. He was ruled out with a concussion and did not return. If he can’t return next week vs the Eagles, this could be huge.
  • Saints QB Jake Haener passed for only 49 first-half yards and was replaced by Spencer Rattler, who passed for 135 second-half yards, a passing touchdown, and was only a two-point conversion away from pulling out the Saints’ comeback win.
  • Today’s win clinched Washington’s first winning season since the 2016 team finished 8-7-1.

 

Quick facts from the Commanders’ Week 13 win over the Titans

We look at some quick and numbers from the Commanders’ Week 13 win.

The Commanders scored 21 first-quarter points and were on their way to their 42-19 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Northwest Stadium.

Here are some of the quick facts from the 8th win of the Commanders’ season:

  • The Commanders possessed the ball today 40:13, more than double that of the Titans, who had it only 19:47.
  • The 42 points scored by the Commanders was the fifth time this season they scored 30+ points. The last time that occurred was the 9-7, 2015 season, quarterbacked by Kirk Cousins.
  • Washington ran the ball 45 times, while the Titans ran it 11 times. No typo; the Commanders outrushed the Titans 267-35.
  • Speaking of rushing, Brian Robinson finished with 103 yards on 16 carries. Not far behind, Chris Rodriguez ran 13 times for 94 yards.
  • This is the third time the Commanders scored 40+ points this season; the last time that occurred was the 1991 season (four times) on their way to a 14-2 season and Super Bowl XXVI win.
  • Jayden Daniels completed 25 of 30 passing attempts (83 percent) for 206 yards (6.9 yards per attempt).
  • The Commanders accomplished 29 first downs today, holding the Titans to a mere 12, had the advantage in total plays 77-50, and out-gained the Titans 463-245.
  • With his eighth sack of the season today, Frankie Luvu now has his new career high.
  • The Commanders’ eighth win of this 2024 season doubles the four wins of the 2023 team. The eighth win of the season also ties the best season Ron Rivera had (2022, 8-8-1) in all four of his seasons.
  • In the final quarter, Jayden Daniels passed to Zach Ertz for a 4-yard TD. It was the 50th career touchdown reception.
  • When the Commanders expanded the lead to 28-0, the Titans had run a total of 13 offensive plays at that point. At this point, the Titans had four offensive possessions ending with two punts and two fumbles in their own territory. On the other side, the Commanders’ first four possessions ended in four touchdowns.
  • Today, Bobby Wagner reached 100+ tackles for the 13th straight season. The only other player to accomplish this feat was London Fletcher, who reached 100+ tackles in 14 consecutive seasons.

Dan Quinn announces Commanders’ captains vs Eagles

The Eagles will see a familiar face as one of the Commanders’ captains.

Dan Quinn Wednesday named his captains for Thursday night’s Commanders game in Philadelphia.

The game is big, as the Eagles (7-2) host the Commanders (7-3) from Lincoln Financial Field.

As has been Quinn’s custom this season, he named three captains, one each for offense, defense, and special teams.

Talking with the press, Quinn announced the Week 11 captains would be TE Zach Ertz and CB Mike Sainristil, and on special teams, it will be RB Jeremy McNichols, whom Quinn has been heard to call “J-Mack.”

“And all these guys, man, they bring a lot to our team in lots of different ways and standards and competing. And so we’re all pumped to see these guys get this up.”

Ertz is the second-leading receiver for the Commanders this season, with 37 receptions for 381 yards and one receiving touchdown. More importantly, Ertz has 19 receptions, which have converted 19 first downs.

McNichols has filled in nicely for Brian Robinson when Robinson has been ailing with knee and hamstring issues. McNichols has four rushing touchdowns and 190 yards on 38 carries for a 5.0 yards per carry average.

Sainristil has shown flexibility and adaptability when playing both slot and outside corner. The rookie from NCAA champion Michigan recorded the first Commanders’ interception of 2024 against the Ravens.

 

What everyone said after the Commanders’ Hail Mary against the Bears

A collection of quotes from the Commanders’ miraculous win over the Bears

With the game clock having hit zeros, Jayden Daniels stepped up to the 35-yard line and heaved a Hail Mary toward the end zone.

Three Bears and Commanders players collided going up for the pass, with Tyrique Stevenson getting up higher than anyone else and deflecting the ball. It floated toward Noah Brown, who caught it for the winning touchdown.

Here is a collection of postgame quotes from players, analysts, coaches and media personalities.

Jim Nantz CBS, actual broadcast of the play

“And the ball is CAUGHT! It’s a MIRACLE! It’s Noah Brown! Oh my goodness! This town is going crazy! It’s a madhouse in Landover, Maryland!”

“This one will be played back over and over again for decades. The ball tipped by Stevenson and Noah Brown just standing back there all alone, plucks it out of the air for the victory!”

Tony Romo CBS analyst, immediately after the catch

“He did it!” I know this sounds crazy but there’s a method to the madness here. Everyone usually goes and jumps to the ball. But you always put one guy behind and one in front and have two or three go jump for it.”

“Daniels extending this play and the time allowed everyone to get down there in position to go toward the ball and be in their spot. And what a game, Jim! Nantz then simply replied, “There are no words.”

Sam Cosmi

“Miracles happen”

Noah Brown

“Yes, that happened to be my assignment on the Hail Mary. We got one guy in the front, two in the back. Try to throw it up to the jumper.”

We got a team of fighters. I am not surprised at all with this happening. I know we don’t give up until the final whistle. It’s just a phenomenal effort on all sides.”

We are well blessed to have ‘5’ leading this team. The things he can do is special. Even that last play, keeping his composure, fighting like Hell to get the ball off, and through a Hell of a ball. I wouldn’t want to play with any other quarterback. I am glad to have him.”

Trevor Sikkema Pro Football Focus lead draft analyst

“I’m so happy for Dan Quinn, man. Deserved a second chance at being a HC. He got one with one hell of a quarterback.”

Tyrique Stevenson (Bears defensive back who was talking smack to fans as the final play was beginning.

“To Chicago and teammates my apologies for lack of awareness and focus …. The game ain’t over until zeros hit the clock. Can’t take anything for granted. Notes taken, improvement will happen”

Terry McLaurin (said the Commanders practice this formation and tip drills)

“If you look it up on film, we were pretty much all in our spots.”

“It felt like it was going in slow motion.”

Kevin Durant

“HAHAHHAA LETS GO @Commanders “

John Keim

“that’s one way to avoid having more red zone issues.”

“Hail Mary. Do I need to say more?”

Jayden Daniels

“I just threw the ball up and gave my guys a chance.” Did he see it? “I just heard people screaming and the sideline rush the field.”

Phidarian Mathis

“It was crazy, it was crazy, man. I ain’t gonna lie, I shed a tear. It was amazing being around something like that. Wouldn’t want it no other way.”

Mitchell Tischler

“Jayden Daniels, magic in a pan! Trent Scott wouldn’t have fumbled that one!”

Chris Russell

“Tonight is 1 A in terms of memorable moments at this joint in Landover, since I’ve been around (2009 +). I can’t put it over NFC East clinching win over #Cowboys on SNF in 2012. But wow!

Zach Ertz

“You guys gotta stop calling him a rookie quarterback. He’s not a rookie quarterback in our eyes. … His maturity and poise is that of a 10-year vet. In our eyes, he’s just one of the leaders on this football team.”

Sam Cosmi on Jayden Daniels

“He doesn’t shy from adversity.”

“It was just like a movie …. front-row seats to be part of something amazing! Hats off to our defense. … I love being a part of this team. It’s something I never felt in my whole football career.”

 

Quick facts from Commanders’ 40-7 win over the Panthers

Several quick facts from the Commanders’ win over the Panthers.

Kliff Kingsbury’s offense was on display today. The Washington Commanders had no trouble with the Carolina Panthers, winning easily, 40-7, at Northwest Stadium.

Perhaps the most alarming moment of the game was seeing Jayden Daniels injured and taken to the locker room. It is an apparent rib injury, and he did not return to action.

Here are some of the quick facts from the fifth win of the Commanders’ season:

  • The Commanders are 3-0 at home. The last time they were 3-0 at home was in 2005.
  • Washington outgained Carolina 421-180.
  • Today was the first time Washington scored 40 points at home since a 2016 win over the Green Bay Packers on a Sunday Night game.
  • Washington led by 27 points at halftime. This was the largest halftime lead since 2005 when they led Dallas 28-0.
  • RB Brian Robinson has run for six rushing touchdowns. This is the most in his three NFL seasons, and today was only the seventh game of the season.
  • Brian Robinson ran for his sixth rushing touchdown, tied with Robert Griffin in 2012 and Clinton Portis in 2008 for the most rushing touchdowns through Week 7.
  • Dante Fowler’s interception return for a touchdown was the first defensive touchdown of the 2024 Commanders’ season.

  • After going first five games with no interceptions, the Commanders have intercepted a pass in consecutive games.
  • Dante Fowler had previously returned two fumbles for touchdowns. Today was his first career interception touchdown.
  • TE Zach Ertz now has 47 career touchdown receptions. He is tied with Ozzie Newsome and Pete Retzlaff for 18th in most receiving touchdowns in NFL history for tight ends.
  • Fowler’s interception returned for a touchdown is the longest interception touchdown return at home since S Ifeanyi Ohalete’s 78-yard interception return in 2002.
  • The Commanders ran 63 offensive plays on Sunday, and the Panthers only ran 43.
  • Tight end Ben Sinnott had his first career reception today; it was also his first NFL touchdown.
  • Sunday marked the first time Washington scored 40 or more points in multiple games since the 2016 season (which, by the way, was the last winning regular season record for Washington).
  • Sunday’s win was the Commanders’ fifth of the 2024 season, surpassing the 2023 season win total of four.
  • Washington outrushed Carolina 214-95 and outpassed them 207-85.
  • Marcus Mariota was 18-23 for 205 yards, averaging 8.9 an attempt, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 132.8.

Jayden Daniels spectacular in Commanders’ win vs. Bengals

What a night for Jayden Daniels.

Jayden Daniels was spectacular Monday night!

Daniels completed 21 of his 23 passing attempts for 254 yards and two passing touchdowns. He also collected 39 rushing yards on 12 carries and one rushing touchdown.

In completing 91 percent of his passing attempts, Daniels did something no other rookie quarterback had accomplished in NFL history (with a minimum of 20 attempts).

Dan Quinn was excited and happy in the postgame press conference. He praised Daniels, of course, calling him “a really cool customer.” He talked of how his ability to use his legs and keep his poise led to his strong performance. Quinn even slipped in that Daniels slid once after converting a key first down.

https://twitter.com/Tiller56/status/1838410277265584193

Praising Kliff Kingsbury, saying all week Kingsbury prepared the offense with what they would have to do in critical moments. Quinn said Kingsbury called a great game.

Daniels threw his first NFL touchdown pass on Monday. Surprisingly, it was a tackle-eligible pass to Trent Scott from one yard out. Scott was ecstatic and exuberant in the end zone when he knew he had scored.

When the Bengals had closed to 31-26, Daniels, with the crowd noise growing against him, converted a 3rd & 2 with a 4-yard pass to Terry McLaurin.

Then on a 4th & 4 Daniels found Zach Ertz for 9 yards to the Bengals 30.

Not finished, he converted the 3rd & 7 from the 27, not with another first down, but with a 27-yard touchdown to McLaurin to put the Commanders up two scores at 38-26 with 2:10 remaining.

Daniels is still a rookie, there will be times he misses open receivers, but tonight, he got his first road NFL win, and also his first MNF win.

Hey, the Commanders are 2-1, tied with the Eagles in first place!

Commanders’ Zach Ertz still going strong at 33

Zach Ertz has been an important addition for the Commanders.

Zach Ertz was a force to be reckoned with Sunday.

Ertz is going to turn age 34 on November 10. He, of course, knows his NFL days are numbered. The Commanders certainly realize it, having drafted Ben Sinnott with the 53rd overall selection in April’s NFL draft.

In his ninth season with the Eagles in 2021, the Eagles traded Ertz to the Cardinals. He was only 31 when the Eagles gave up on Ertz.

Then, last season, having just turned 33, the Cardinals released Ertz on November 30. The Lions then signed Ertz to their practice squad, only to release him two weeks later.

A 33-year-old free agent, he signed with the Commanders in March. Only two watched them draft Sinnott in the second round.

They might be grooming Ertz’s replacement, but Ertz has caught seven passes in the first two weeks of this 2024 season. He is not quite ready to hang up the cleats just yet.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has certainly noticed Ertz’s performance thus far. “I was really impressed with Zach’s performance yesterday,” Quinn said Monday.

Ertz received four targets Sunday and made the most of his opportunity, catching all four for 62 yards, which averages 15.5 yards per reception.

On the very first snap of the second quarter, Washington had the ball on their own 36, facing a 3rd & 4. Quarterback Jayden Daniels, looking right, sent a pass toward Ertz, that looked on the verge of being intercepted by Giants safety Jason Pinnock. But Ertz leaped up and wrestled  the ball from Pinnock for the first down.

“We call those 50/50 balls, and he made certain it was not going to be that.”

“Even on the very first third down there was a called penalty against him. I just felt his presence, Nicki, in this game more than others.”

Ertz could be a major factor for the Commanders this season, putting on hold Sinnott’s ascendancy until next season.

“He’ll always be a factor in two minute in the red zone and the things that make him, him,” said Dan Quinn.  I just felt his presence really strongly in this game. He was really dialed in, really ready to go. The catches, the movement that he did I thought they were really on point.”