Tag: WR Terry McLaurin

What did Terry McLaurin say about Commanders’ Week 15 win?

Terry McLaurin knows the Commanders missed several opportunities.

Terry McLaurin knows better than we do that the Commanders’ Week 15, 20-19 win over the Saints was not a good win.

McLaurin also knows much better than we do that he and Jayden Daniels missed on two second-half easy touchdowns. To make it worse, the two plays occurred on separate offensive possessions. The Commanders really could have easily scored two additional touchdowns, Sunday in the second half.

What did McLaurin have to say following the Commanders’ win in New Orleans that raised Washington’s record to 9-5?

  • “We missed a few, myself included. We have to find a better way of finishing. I am just looking forward to getting back on the field with him (Daniels), cleaning up on the things we missed.”
  • “That’s the type of players we are (Daniels and McLaurin). We expect to make the ones we make. And then the ones we miss, we are frustrated and try to get back to work and get connected.”
  • “Game after game, to finish the season, if you want to make the playoffs, they are going to come down to four quarters. We are not expecting any of these to be easy. We didn’t expect today to be easy at all.”
  • ” I feel like we can help ourselves by limiting the penalties, making the tough plays. We were moving the ball, I felt, really well. When you have a penalty, a missed play, that is going to halt some drives.”
  • “Going into a tough week with Philly coming into town, we need to be clicking on all cylinders for four quarters, and they are going to make plays too, we know that. Being able to find a way to come out on the other side, making those plays is what is going to help us next week.”

You can always count on McLaurin to keep it real — win or lose.

Commanders, Jayden Daniels have lost No. 3 and No. 4 receivers

Jayden Daniels has now lost two of his top four weapons in recent weeks.

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders received some more bad news on Wednesday.

Coach Dan Quinn declared to the media that there had been a significant injury to receiver Noah Brown.

“He’s going to be out for a while and so he had a significant internal injury from the game. And so, that’s going to knock him out for a while. And we love him and his play style, the identity of how he goes. And so, that one hurts.”

Brown contributed to special teams with his physical nature and aggressive play. On offense, Brown was a good blocker on the perimeter, helping with the running game.

Now, about the receiving. Brown used his body well on slants, utilized his size well, and had the ability to beat corners and draw interference penalties.

Daniels, the Commanders quarterback has now lost his No. 3 and No. 4 targets in consecutive games. Against Dallas, he lost running back Austin Ekeler when he suffered a late-game concussion. The following week, Daniels lost Brown in the Titans game.

Yes, Terry McLaurin leads the team with 896 receiving yards, and Zach Ertz is second (501). However, Brown was third (453), and Ekeler was fourth (346).

Brown and Ekeler were also third and fourth, respectively, in receptions, with 35 and 33. How about yards per reception? Brown was second (12.9) and Ekeler fourth (10.5). Brown and Ekeler were also third and fourth in receptions per game and second and fourth in receiving yards per game.

Consequently, please make no mistake: Jayden Daniels has taken a significant hit as we reach the season’s final four games.

Will someone step up and fill the void in Brown and Ekeler’s absence? Dyami Brown, Luke McCaffrey, and Olamide Zaccheaus will each contribute in the passing game and as blockers in the run game.

Who will take Brown’s roster spot? The likely candidates to vie for the roster spot are WR Jamison Crowder and TE Colson Yankoff, both on injured reserve currently. Four candidates on the practice squad are TE Cole Turner, WR Michael Strachan, WR Mitchell Tinsley and WR Brycen Tremayne.

On Wednesday, the Commanders also signed receiver K.J. Osborn from waivers. The New England Patriots recently released him. He will bring one more receiver with some experience to compete for Brown’s roster spot this last month of the season.

 

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 12 loss to Cowboys

Here are several quick facts or stats from the Commanders’ Week 12 loss to Cowboys.

The Commanders produced their worst effort of the season Sunday for the first three and one-half quarters. Their last half of the final quarter was productive, but they came up short, falling to the Cowboys 34-26.

Here are some of the quick facts from the third consecutive loss for the Commanders:

  • The Cowboys had to play on a short week from Monday night, while the Commanders had not played since a Thursday night game ten days ago. Yet, it was the Commanders who looked flat, tired, slow and uninspired for 3.5 quarters.
  • The Washington offense was anemic in the first quarter, as Jayden Daniels completed two of six attempts for a mere three yards. The Commanders permitted 93 first-quarter yards to Dallas while only gaining 56.
  • The Commanders blocked a field goal attempt, blocked a punt, and recovered a fumble in the first half, yet managed to score only three points!
  • In the first half, Dallas outgained Washington 176-113 total yards, including 133-55 passing yards.
  • The Commanders trailed 10-9 after three quarters. Washington was then outscored 24-17 in the final quarter. The Commanders have now been outscored 71-34 in the final quarter of their last five games.
  • Sunday was the first kickoff return touchdown in 50 games for Dallas (vs Raiders in 2021), and today, they returned two for touchdowns. (Kayvontae Turpin 99 yards and Juanyeh Thomas 43 yards).
  • LB Frankie Luvu finished tied for the team-leading eight tackles. He also added one tackle for loss and three passes defensed.
  • The Commanders lost two running backs today (Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler), and this was after Chris Rodriguez was released just yesterday.
  • Dallas had lost their last five consecutive games, as they were a -10 in turnovers those games. Today, they again lost the turnover margin 3-1, yet came away with a win.
  • K Austin Seibert had his first bad day for the Commanders: he entered the game having made 25 of his 27 field goal attempts. Today, he badly missed his 51-yard field goal attempt and pulled two extra-point attempts to the left.
  • Jayden Daniels surpassed 2,500 passing yards and 500 rushing yards today, joining Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton as the fastest players to reach those marks to begin an NFL career. Daniels did so in his 12th career game.
  • WR Terry McLaurin’s  86-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his career. He caught five passes for 102 receiving yards.

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 9 win over the Giants

Several numbers that stood out from the Commanders’ win over the Giants.

The Commanders were not dominant, yet they did win a NFC East divisional road game, defeating the New York Giants 27-22.

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

  • Today’s win was Dan Quinn’s 50th NFL win as an NFL head coach.

  • With two fourth-down conversions in the first half, the Commanders are now 11 for 11 on fourth down this season. Per @EliasSports, this is the first time since at least 1980 (when the stat began being tracked) that Washington has started a season 11-for-11 on fourth down.

  • Today, Dante Fowler’s two sacks gave him his 10th multi-sack game.
  • The Giants came into Sunday’s game, leading the NFL with 35 quarterback sacks. Today, against the Commanders, they had zero.
  • Jayden Daniels numbers: 15/22,  209 yards, two touchdowns, 128.8 passer rating, 0 interceptions, 0 sacks.
  • By beating the Giants today, Washington completed a season sweep of the NY Giants for the first time since the 2021 season.
  • The Giants had the ball exactly four minutes longer today, 32:00 to 28:00. The Giants also gained 164 yards rushing to the Commanders’ 149. But Washington did force one Giants turnover without committing a turnover. The Commanders also sacked Jones twice, while Jayden Daniels was not sacked.
  • With the win, the Commanders are now 7-2. This is the first time Washington is 7-2 since the 1996 season, when that team collapsed, finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs.
  • With two receiving touchdowns today, Terry McLaurin now has four career games in which he has scored two touchdowns.
  • Today, Dante Fowler reached the 50-sack plateau and forced a 14th career fumble.
  • Jayden Daniels is the first Washington rookie quarterback to sweep the New York Giants.
  • With six receiving touchdowns in 2024, Terry McLaurin has had the most receiving touchdowns since his 2019 rookie season.
  • Terry McLaurin, with his two touchdowns today, now has 31 in his career, becoming the tenth in franchise history with 30 touchdowns.

 

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’ 18-15 win over the Bears

Some quick facts from Commanders’ win over Bears.

The Commanders were entirely outplayed in the final quarter, gave up the lead, and yet won with a final Hail Mary to beat the Bears 18-15 at Northwest Stadium.

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

  • Jayden Daniels said it was his very first Hail Mary to win a game…ever!
  • Terry McLaurin today passed Ricky Sanders for seventh place in franchise receptions.
  • Daron Payne recorded his first solo sack of the season.
  • The Commanders went 59:57 seconds before scoring their only touchdown today, scoring on the game’s final play.
  • The Commanders outgained the Bears 481-307.
  • The Commanders, in the final quarter, surrendered drives of 84 yards (but the Bears bailed them out by fumbling on the exchange) and then 62 yards for what appeared to be the winning touchdown by the Bears.
  • P Tress Way has achieved his 280th career punt to be inside the 20-yard line. Way is second in the NFL.
  • Jayden Daniels had 313 passing yards compared to only 111 for Caleb Williams.
  • The Commanders have not lost a game at “Northwest Stadium” (4-0).
  • DT Johnny Newton recorded his first NFL quarterback sack and first recovered fumble today.
  • 1997 was the last time the Commanders had held two consecutive opponents scoreless in the first half (Weeks 10 and 11).
  • Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’s three first-half completions for 33 yards were his fewest for any half thus far in 2024.
  • The Commanders are 6-2 for the first time since 2008. That team collapsed, finishing 8-8.
  • K Austin Seibert passed Mark Mosely’s franchise record of 81 points scored through eight games, which he accomplished in the 1983 season. Remember, Seibert did not play in the first game of this season.
  • Austin Seibert made his first four field goal attempts before missing his fifth attempt, (connecting with the ground slightly before his foot struck the ball).

When they last met: Commanders and Panthers

What happened the last time Washington and Carolina played?

“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.

Washington 27, Carolina 21 – Week 11, Nov. 21, 2021

In Cam Newton’s return to Carolina, Ron Rivera’s team, led by Taylor Heinicke, ruined Newton’s festive day. Washington came into Charlotte and defeated the Panthers 27-21.

Heinicke twice responded with Washington down by a touchdown to lead scoring drives and toss touchdown passes. Trailing 7-0, Heinicke connected with Cam Sims from six yards, tying the score with 13:29 in the second quarter.

Trailing 14-7 and driving, attempting to score before the half, Heinicke found Terry McLaurin with only nine seconds remaining for a 12-yard touchdown tying the game at halftime.

Washington drove and scored with 9:21 remaining in the third quarter, taking their first lead of the game at 21-14 when Heinicke passed to DeAndre Carter from four yards out.

Heinicke had his finest career day as an NFL quarterback, completing 16 of 22 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. He recorded a 141.3 passer rating in the victory, the team’s second consecutive victory after upsetting the Tampa Bay Bucs the previous week at FedEx Field.

McLaurin led Washington with 103 receiving yards, while Antonio Gibson provided 95 rushing yards.

Newton completed 21 of 27 attempts for 189 yards and two touchdowns for a 120.5 passer rating. Christian McCaffrey led the Panthers with 59 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards.

Washington leads the all-time series, having won 10 of the 17 games played since the series began in 1995.

What everyone said after the Commanders’ Week 6 loss vs Ravens

What players, coaches and analysts said following the Commanders’ loss to Ravens.

On Sunday, the Washington Commanders were defeated by the Baltimore Ravens 30-23, falling to 4-2.  Here is a collection of postgame quotes from players, former players/analysts, and coaches.

Brian Mitchell

“Washington fans, realize, your team is better than you think, and those that are hating, start to worry. Because we’re about to start upsetting you.”

“We might want to start going to him more than we think we need to, because all he does is make plays.” Mitchell on Terry McLaurin.

Santana Moss

“There are no moral victories… but I am more encouraged than discouraged … and I’m looking forward to see what they do next week.”

Logan Paulsen

“There was something omniscient, omnipresent about the Baltimore offense, I thought. It was was always just very methodical, like a Boa constrictor strangling its prey. It just has this ability to run for ten, to throw off the play-action, to pass protect, to just kind of exploit what you’re doing. I think it showed a different caliber of team.”

“I don’t think they played badly, and I know that sounds crazy but I think they played more consistently than against Tampa Bay, for example. They were more physical, they tackled better, but I think Baltimore was in their bag offensively and it showed up.”

Team 980’s Craig Hoffman

“I think they got beat by a better unit. At some point you have to admit the Ravens offense was better than the Commanders defense.”

Jayden Daniels

“We’re right there. We’re never going to give up. We’re competing. We’re fine.”

“Losing sucks, but you move on to the next.”

“This is the NFL. These are the types of games it will come down to one-score games, close games. We have to figure a way to pull out these games.”

Bobby Wagner, on his experience in helping Seattle become winners

“Honestly, it took games like this, where you kind of hurt yourself a little bit – whether it’s penalties, whether it’s miscommunication [or] things of that nature. You go back, you hold yourself accountable …and everyone gets back to the drawing board. Don’t hold your head down and just grow, and if every player can grow, it’s going to make us that much better. I feel that we [have] those guys.”

“I mean, it’s tough. When you get the run game going, it kind of opens up everything for them. We need to do a better job in taking away the run and finally getting some pressure.” Wagner on struggles vs Ravens

Dan Quinn on Brian Robinson

The staff isn’t “going to play guys if they can’t do their thing at full speed … Hopefully, we can turn the corner to get him back into his groove.”

More from Quinn on the game: “It certainly was a tough game. That’s what we talked about in the locker room. As lopsided as it felt, [we] still in the fight at the end. We do have a tough crew with an attitude to battle. There is going to be a lot to learn from this game.”

Nick Allegretti on trying to run against the Ravens

“Versatile, big, run-stopping defensive tackles that are also pass-rushers. I think that’s something a lot of teams struggle with.”

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

“I believe [Jayden Daniels] deserves all the hype he’s getting. He played a tremendous game out there. They just came up short. He’s been proving it. His rookie season – first six games he’s been playing amazing.”

Chris Simms from NBC SNF Football

“I’m really impressed with the Kliff Kingsbury offense. And this quarterback, he’s as cold as ice, man. He is smooth, he doesn’t blink under the pressure, and he just refused to go away.”

Terry McLaurin

“This is definitely something we’re going to be able to learn from going forward, I like the way we fought til the end, but there’s no moral victories.”

“I think we already believe that in ourselves. … We got a resilient group.” he said on if they can play with anyone.

“Losing sucks. … It sucks. But we don’t have a group of guys that are going to hang their head.”

 

Dan Quinn’s answer about a No. 2 receiver is telling

The Commanders like their current group of receivers.

Throughout the 2024 offseason and training camp, it was a foregone conclusion that Jahan Dotson was Washington’s No. 2 receiver.

That is until preseason games began, and head coach Dan Quinn noticeably one day praised some wide receivers but neglected to mention Dotson. After a week of much speculation, suddenly, on the morning of August 22, Adam Peters had traded away Dotson and a fifth-round choice to the Eagles. In exchange, Washington would receive a third-round choice and two seventh-round choices.

To this day, fans and media still discuss the team’s need for a No.2 receiver. Quinn apparently doesn’t agree.

On Wednesday, when asked about “the lingering discussions” about the Commanders’ need to develop a No. 2 receiver, Quinn smiled and responded, “No, I’ll let you and the guys outside have those ones. For us, we’re really focused on the guys that are here, honestly, just absolutely battling for it.”

Olamide Zaccheaus leads the receivers (other than Terry McLaurin) with 10 receptions, averaging 11.4 YPR. Noah Brown follows him with 9 receptions, averaging 12.3, Luke McCaffrey (7/ 11.3), Dyami Brown (5/ 7.4), and Jamison Crowder (1/ 5.0).

Quinn interestingly added, “What you will see sometimes each week is some reps may change by the position, what’s needed maybe for that game plan or for how we’d want to attack. But we’re really pleased with the group and their competitive nature, what they stand for.”

For what it is worth, the Eagles were without DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown last week, and Brown has now missed the last three games. Dotson has not taken advantage of their absences, as he has only accumulated five receptions for 25 yards in his four games.

Commanders call upon Jeremy McNichols to share RB load

McNichols was an unsung hero in Week 3.

Jeremy McNichols made a huge play Monday night in the win against the Bengals.

However, the television announcers did not make mention of McNichols making the play. Probably most of the sports television analysts the next day only talked of Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels, but watch the replay again.

The Bengals brought eight on the blitz, the Commanders only had seven blockers. McNichols (running back) stepped up to an inside blitzer, leaving the outside blitzer to come and hit Daniels just after he released the ball. McNichols taking out the inside blitzer, provided Daniels the time needed to throw the deep touchdown to McLaurin.

“There’s a lot of things that come to mind with him (McNichols),” said Dan Quinn.  “Humility, and the other one is trust. He’s somebody that when called upon, man, does he deliver.”  Quinn then referred to that particular protection by McNichols.

With Austin Ekeler out with a concussion this week, McNichols will be asked to protect Daniels, receive passes, and run the ball.

“Whatever role he’s asked, he usually delivers, because of that mindset, whether its dirty work, like going to pick up a blitz, or covering kicks. That’s why I thought it fitting for him to be a captain for this game.”

In 2024, McNichols has only one carry and no targets, but with Ekeler out, McNichols moves up to share the load at running back with Brian Robinson Jr. Sunday against the Cardinals.