Tag: Terry McLaurin

Who will be the Commanders’ captains vs the Eagles?

Some familiar names will serve as captains for the Commanders.

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, in his weekly Friday press conference with the media, named the three captains for this week’s home game against the Eagles.

The three captains named by Quinn are Terry McLaurin (offense), Bobby Wagner (defense), and Jeremy Reaves (special teams).

“Those guys could lead me anywhere,” expressed Quinn. “I’d be pumped about that. They have meant a lot to our team, what we stand for and what we want to be about. So I thought, a great recognition for them.”

In his sixth NFL season out of Ohio State, McLaurin again leads Washington in receptions and reception yardage this season, as he has every season. Through 14 games, he has caught 68 passes for 969 yards (7th in the NFL), averaging 14.3 yards per reception. He moved the chains on 48 receptions in 2024 and caught 11 touchdowns (second in the NFL).

Wagner again leads his team in tackles. This season, Wagner has 109 tackles (63 solo and 46 assisted). The closest to Wagner is Jeremy Chinn, with 93. Wagner is also third in tackles for a loss (8), tied for fourth in QB Hits (7). He also has two fumble recoveries and two quarterback sacks. The Philadelphia game will be the 200th NFL game for the 34-year-old Wagner.

Reaves, on the other hand, has only played in 61 NFL games. The 28-year-old safety has not started at safety since he started three games in the 2022 season. However, he continues to be a standout on the coverage teams, having earned a Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition in 2022.

Commanders’ WR Terry McLaurin makes NFL history

Further proof of McLaurin’s greatness.

Quickly, name the only four NFL receivers in history to accomplish a milestone of 50 catches and 900 receiving yards in each of their first six seasons.

Well, first, let’s settle the matter of Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin becoming the fourth NFL player to reach these receiving statistics on Sunday against the Saints.

That’s right. Only four receivers have accomplished these plateaus in NFL history for various reasons. Injury is a major reason, as players get injured occasionally.

In the last 30 years, the game has changed to much more of a passing game, yet still, only four receivers in the previous 30 years have caught 50 passes and accumulated 900 receiving years in their first six NFL seasons.

When you consider the quarterbacks who have started for Washington during his six seasons, McLaurin’s accomplishments become even more noteworthy. Here are the quarterbacks who were passing to McLaurin:

  • 2019: Case Keenum, Dwayne Haskins, Colt McCoy
  • 2020: Dwayne Haskins, Kyle Allen, Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke
  • 2021: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Taylor Heinicke, Kyle Allen, Garrett Gilbert
  • 2022: Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Sam Howell
  • 2023: Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett
  • 2024: Jayden Daniels, Marcus Mariota

Going through the list leaves one shaking their head, wondering how it is that McLaurin accomplished this.

OK, who are the other three NFL receivers in modern history who have accomplished these statistics in their first six NFL seasons?

Remarkably, no, not even Jerry Rice. Rice had 49 receptions in his rookie season and began his Hall of Fame credentials.

No, not Art Monk. The NFL season was cut to nine games in his third season due to the players’ strike.

Gary Clark? No. In his fourth season, Clark accumulated 892 receiving yards, falling short by a mere eight yards.

Randy Moss? Yes, you are correct. Further, Moss was, in fact, the very first NFL receiver to reach these heights in each of his first six NFL seasons. In his seventh NFL season, he had only 49 receptions, falling a single reception short of reaching these levels in his first seven seasons.

A.J. Green? Yes, Green accomplished these numbers for his first seven NFL seasons, all with the Bengals. Thus, Green was the first to have 50 receptions and 900 receiving yards in his first seven seasons.

Mike Evans? Evans lives on a planet different from other wide receivers. He has accomplished these numbers for each of his first ten NFL seasons. Of course, he is the only receiver in NFL history to accomplish this in his first ten seasons. In addition, though he missed three games this season, he is on track to again reach these marks in 2024 for his 11th consecutive season!

*In fairness to great receivers like Moss, Rice, Monk, and Clark, none of those guys had the opportunity to play in a 17-game NFL season. From 1978-2020, the NFL played 16-game regular seasons, beginning 17-game schedules in 2021.

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 Commandersโ€™ 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.

 

X reacts to Commanders’ 20-19 win over the Saints

Social media wasn’t impressed with the Commanders’ latest win.

The Washington Commanders were in cruise control at halftime of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The Commanders led 14-0 after quarterback Jayden Daniels passed for two touchdowns to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Things began to shift in New Orleans’ favor in the second half when it turned to rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. While Rattler didn’t do anything special, a trick play touchdown pass from wide receiver Cedrick Wilson to running back Alvin Kamara completely shifted momentum toward the Saints.

Washington’s offense stalled in the second half, and the team often relied on Daniels to bail the unit out with a big pass or run on third down. Daniels sometimes did that, but the Commanders couldn’t get out of their own way. Penalties, curious coaching decisions, and special teams mishaps kept the Saints alive as they slowly chipped away.

Finally, the Saints drove down the field with under two minutes remaining, with a chance to tie the game. Well, the Saints scored a touchdown, but they weren’t interested in a tie. Interim coach Darren Rizzi went for the two-point conversion and the win. Fortunately for the Commanders, New Orleans came up short, and Washington prevailed, 20-19.

The Commanders are now 9-5, but X wasn’t happy with their latest performance. Here’s how social media reacted to Sunday’s game between Washington and New Orleans.

Chris is always positive:

EB from “The Junkies:”

Commanders lead the Saints at halftime: Four takeaways from the first half

Four quick first-half takeaways from the Commanders vs. Saints.

The Washington Commanders (8-5) lead the New Orleans Saints (5-8) 14-0 at halftime.

New Orleans began the game on offense, and Washington quickly forced a punt. Quarterback Jayden Daniels took over and led the game’s first scoring driving, finding wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Commanders an early 7-0 lead.

Daniels led another impressive drive, finishing with a second touchdown pass to McLaurin, making it 14-0.

Here are four takeaways from the first half:

Jayden Daniels sharp

Daniels didn’t throw deep in the first half, but he was extremely accurate in the short and intermediate passing game, completing 17 of 19 passes for 140 yards. His first touchdown pass to McLaurin will be on the highlight reels this week. Daniels escaped multiple pressures before seeing McLaurin streak across the field.

Running game was slow to get going

Brian Robinson Jr. led the Commanders with 26 yards in the first half. Daniels carried the ball six times for 20 yards, but New Orleans kept him from getting around the corner multiple times. The Saints’ defensive line is winning the battle up front.

Terry McLaurin remains phenomenal

McLaurin’s two first-half touchdowns give him 11 on the season. It’s his fourth multi-touchdown game of the season and his second in a row. McLaurin’s previous career-high was seven touchdowns. Washington’s offense

Defense is doing as it should

The Saints ended the first half with 38 total yards. The Commanders sacked Jake Haener three times. New Orleans’ only big play was a completion from Haener to running back Alvin Kamara. New Orleans has 18 rushing yards and is one of six on third downs. This is what Washington’s defense should be doing against a young quarterback making his first start, who is without all of his top pass-catchers.

WATCH: Jayden Daniels, under pressure, throws dime to Terry McLaurin for touchdown

This is Terry McLaurin’s 10th touchdown of the season. A heckuva play from Jayden Daniels and McLaurin.

After the Washington defense quickly forced a New Orleans punt on the game’s first possession, Jayden Daniels and the offense began with excellent field position.

The Commanders had no problem moving the ball down the field but stalled just short of the red zone. New kicker Greg Joseph then made a 45-yard field goal to give Washington an early 3-0 lead.

However, the Saints were penalized, giving the Commanders a first down and wiping the points off the board. A few plays later, Daniels found Olamide Zaccheaus for a touchdown, but it was also wiped off the scoreboard due to an illegal shift penalty.

After yet another penalty, this time a holding call on right guard Sam Cosmi, the Commanders faced a second and goal from the 16-yard line. Under heavy pressure, Daniels escapes multiple sack attempts and somehow finds wide receiver Terry McLaurin in the end zone for a touchdown.

Check it out:

That’s McLaurin’s 10th touchdown of the season, reaching double digits for the first time in his six-year NFL career.

Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin combine for spectacular Commanders touchdown

Another thrilling play by Washington rookie QB Jayden Daniels

Jayden Daniels is beyond exciting. When he teams with Terry McLaurin, the Washington Commanders are a thrill waiting to happen.

Against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, the quarterback had to innovate when pressured, managed to keep his cool while putting the ball on the turf and fired a pass to the end zone.

McLaurin was there and somehow made the catch, Washington led 7-0.

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin with a vote of confidence for Dyami Brown

Terry McLaurin believes big things are coming for Dyami Brown.

Terry McLaurin is having a career year for the Washington Commanders. The sixth-year wide receiver is on pace to set a new career-high in receiving yards and has already shattered his record for touchdowns.

McLaurin will join some exclusive company when he picks up 104 receiving yards sometime over the next four games and goes over 1,000 yards for the fifth consecutive season. But while McLaurin is thriving under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and rookie Jayden Daniels under center, he sees the growth of another young Commander: Wide receiver Dyami Brown.

Brown, 25, was a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, with many proclaiming him as a draft steal. Unfortunately, things haven’t gone as planned for various reasons. Yet Brown has done everything asked of him, even standing out on special teams while he awaited his turn on offense.

Like McLaurin, Brown has seen his fortunes change with Kingsbury and Daniels. This week, Washington’s top offense lost its third-leading receiver, Noah Brown, potentially for the season. This came two weeks after running back Austin Ekeler, the team’s fourth-leading receiver, was lost for at least four weeks due to a concussion.

Dyami Brown has already established a career-high in receptions and receiving yards this season. Brown had a season-high five targets in the Week 13 win over the Tennessee Titans, which could be the beginning of a new trend.

McLaurin has 100% confidence in the fourth-year receiver.

“I’m super proud to see the way that Dyami’s grown over his time here,” McLaurin said on Friday. “You know, I’ve been here pretty much for his whole time, and I’ve seen the way he’s grown and really learned what it takes to be a pro. And the consistency in the work ethic that he’s put in over the last few years has been extremely evident.”

McLaurin acknowledged that Brown hasn’t always received the opportunities but believes that is changing now. Brown has thrived in the screen game for Washington due to his vision and ability to run after the catch. However, he’s best known for his deep-ball ability, which is something to watch moving forward.

The Commanders face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, with Brown figuring to have a prominent role.

Gimme Him: One player the Commanders would steal from the Saints

The Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints face off in Week 15 and there is one player the Commanders would love to steal.

The Washington Commanders are coming off of their late Week 14 bye to a road game against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints haven’t been eliminated from playoff contention yet, but they aren’t far from it. A loss would certainly inch them closer to the end of their season. A win for the Saints, though, could derail the Commanders’ playoff hopes.

Neither team can afford to walk away with a loss when these two teams meet on Sunday. To that end, the Commanders would love to steal one of the Saints players to ensure a victory. This week, they’d like to have wide receiver Chris Olave in maroon and gold.

First, let’s address the fact that Olave is on injured reserve and isn’t available for either team this week, thanks to a rather nasty hit a few weeks ago. However, if he were healthy, Olave would make an excellent complement to fellow former Ohio State Buckeye wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Both Olave and McLaurin have similar collegiate backgrounds under Urban Meyer and Ryan Day, who are similar coaches as Day was Meyer’s offensive coordinator before becoming the current head coach. They both can get down the field with ridiculous speed and have the ability to catch just about anything thrown their way. Not only would they be fun for Commanders’ fans to watch, but they’d be hard for opposing defenses to stop.

Unfortunately, the Commanders didn’t draft Olave when they could have in 2022, so we’ll never know how that would have worked out. And now Olave is injured and can’t play anyway. But it’s always fun to hypothesize and imagine the what-ifs.

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NFL analyst believes Commanders should pursue offseason trade for Ja’Marr Chase

While it’s a fun thought, it would never happen.

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a thrilling Monday night win over the Dallas Cowboys. Star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught 14 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.

The win improved the Bengals to 5-8, but they remain on the outside looking in regarding the AFC playoff picture. Don’t blame Chase or quarterback Joe Burrow, though. Both are having phenomenal seasons, but Chase is doing it while unhappy with his contract.

Cincinnati and Chase could not agree to terms on an extension before the season, and his price has only increased since. Chase, who has a cap number of $9.8 million, is playing this season while leading the NFL in all major receiving categories.

Meanwhile, his former LSU teammate, Justin Jefferson, became the NFL’s highest-paid receiver in the offseason, signing a four-year, $140 million deal, resetting the top of the receiver market.

There’s also the case of Tee Higgins. Cincinnati’s other star receiver played on the franchise tag this year and will be a free agent in the offseason. Chase has one year remaining on his rookie deal as the Bengals picked up his rookie fifth-year option.

Cincinnati has received trade offers for Higgins but has refused to deal him. The Bengals have always refused to trade a player, even when it makes sense.

Could the Bengals actually trade Chase instead of paying him a record contract? Remember, Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million extension in 2023. Do the notoriously thrifty Bengals want to pay Chase a quarterback-like salary?

Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated has an idea: Cincinnati should trade Chase and names two teams as potential trade partners: The Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots.

The Commanders and Patriots have a rookie quarterback, a wide receiver need, and plenty of salary cap room. Could you imagine Washington acquiring Chase to go with Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin? It would certainly further accelerate the Commanders’ Super Bowl timeline.

Looking around the NFL, there are a few teams I believe make the most sense. The New England Patriots and Washington Commanders are both intriguing, as each hasย extra draft picks,ย ample cap spaceย and a rookie quarterback who needs more skill-position talent to reach his full potential.

Washington would send two first-round picks and more to the Bengals in this hypothetical trade. Chase is certainly worth it, but we aren’t sure the Bengals would be willing to trade one of the NFL’s top two wide receivers.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters likes to keep his draft picks as there remains plenty of work to do on Washington’s roster. But would Peters consider such a move for one of the NFL’s top stars while he has Daniels on a rookie contract?

The trade possibilities sound fun, but Cincinnati is not trading Chase. And in this case, the Bengals shouldn’t trade him and find a way to him and keep him and Burrow together. Cincinnati should have moved Higgins in the offseason.