Tag: WR Terry McLaurin

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.

Commanders defense receives good news ahead of Week 17

Good news for the Commanders.

Dan Quinn confirmed Friday that Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen is back!

Allen, who tore a pectoral muscle in Washington’s Week 6 loss to the Ravens, seemed lost for the season. However, surgery that week revealed the injury was only a partial tear. Allen, therefore, began rehab earlier and surprised the fan base last week when he returned to practice.

Quinn stated Friday that Allen is ready.

“He had a really good week. So, that’s the thing I was really looking for. Would he be able to hit all the markers in practice (contact, going, run game, pass game)? It was great to see him. I had a good sense yesterday that the arrow was trending up, and then I saw that again today.”

Washington chose Allen with the 17th selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. Therefore, Allen played seven seasons for Washington without a winning record in a single season. Only one season was not a losing season when Washington went 8-8-1 in 2022.

With his pectoral injury seemingly ending his 2024 season, there was much talk in the DMV sports media that Allen might have played his last game for the Commanders. One reason is his contract, which still has a major salary cap hit of $23M in 2025. Only Daron Payne ($26M) and Terry McLaurin ($25M) are scheduled to make more for the Commanders in 2025.

It’s great to see Allen return and be able to enjoy contributing to a winning team. Hopefully he, unlike Lattimore, will not re-injure himself in his return this season. Best wishes for Allen in his return.

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 16 win over Eagles

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

The Commanders twice trailed by 14 points and overcame five turnovers to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33 at Northwest Stadium in Landover.

Here are some of the quick facts from the Commanders 10th win of the 2024 season:

  • The Commanders’ win over the Eagles broke the Eagles’ 10-game winning streak.
  • The Commanders pulled off a rarity on Sunday: They lost the turnover battle 5-1 and still won the game.
  • The Commanders trailed 33-28 with 1:58 remaining when the Eagles lined up to kickoff to Washington. The Commanders then drove 57 yards in 9 plays, earning the victory.
  • Third downs were crucial in this game. The Eagles converted only three of 16, while the Commanders converted seven of 13.
  • Washington entered the game 0-4 against teams with a winning record. Thus, this is their first 2024 win against a winning team.
  • The Commanders surrendered 211 Eagles rushing yards, including 5.4 yards per rushing attempt. Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards on 29 carries.
  • Jalen Hurts ran for 41 yards on his first three rushing attempts, but on his third carry, he was injured and did not return.
  • Jayden Daniels completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards, five touchdown passes and two interceptions. Daniels was also Washington’s leading rusher, running for 81 yards on nine rushes.
  • Olamide Zaccheaus did not have a touchdown in the first 14 games. He had two touchdown receptions Sunday, finishing with five receptions for 70 yards.
  • Receiver Jamison Crowder only had two receptions on Sunday. However, both were for Commanders’ touchdowns.
  • With the Commanders’ win today, the Cowboys and 49ers were both eliminated from the playoffs.
  • When Sonny Jurgensen was traded from Philadelphia to Washington, he threw five touchdowns against the Eagles in his first season in Washington (1964). Not until today did another Washington quarterback pass for five touchdowns against the Eagles.
  • Jayden Daniels is the first Washington rookie quarterback to pass for five touchdowns in a game and the sixth NFL rookie quarterback to accomplish the feat (according to Washington PR).
  • Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton produced three tackles for a loss, and Frankie Luvu had two as well.
  • The Commanders were outplayed so badly by the Eagles in the first quarter that the Eagles generated 183 total yards of offense while Washington only produced 35.
  • The 21 points the Commanders surrendered in the first quarter was the most they had given up this season.
  • Frankie Luvu’s first-quarter interception was his first as a Commander.
  • With his five receptions for 60 yards today, Terry McLaurin goes over 1,000 receiving yards for the fifth consecutive year. He has done it five times in his six NFL seasons.
  • McClaurin’s touchdown reception was his 12th this season. He now has 37 touchdown receptions for Washington, which passed Ricky Sanders.

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).