Sunday’s Commanders’ win was about as ugly a win as you can imagine, so how did rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels play?
Let’s be real, shall we?
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was sacked eight times. Eight times! I re-watched the eight sacks. Honestly, on four of the eight, Daniels appeared to freeze, hold the ball, not see an open receiver, and, like Sam Howell last year, ended up eating the ball for a sack.
Yet, on the other hand, there could have been another four or five sacks, where Daniels used his foot quickness to escape. At times, Daniels was a magician weaving in and out of trouble, keeping his feet.
On the first touchdown to Terry McLaurin, Daniels fell, fumbled the ball, recovered it, got up, and found McLaurin in the end zone. It was remarkable, and only a handful of NFL quarterbacks could have made that play.
What I am saying is for as bad as Daniels was taking sacks, he was also nothing short of magical on some plays.
For example, in the third quarter, facing a third and 14, Daniels took off on a beautiful run, gaining 24 yards and sliding to avoid being hit. Yes, Daniels was bad, but he was also good and spectacular on some plays!
More pressure allowed up the gut, HOWEVER Jayden preforms more magic and gains 24yds on the scramble 🧨 pic.twitter.com/lIaR4fMj6A
— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) December 15, 2024
Yes, Daniels missed Terry McLaurin twice deep in the second half. It occurred on two separate possessions, and McLaurin would have unquestionably scored on both plays. Therefore, that should have been 14 Commanders’ points.
Yet, on the other hand, Daniels also completed 25 of 31 passes for 226 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 118.5. This was another game in which Daniels had no turnovers.
Yes, Daniels looked like a rookie regressing in some areas, but it is also just as true: Daniels made plays most NFL quarterbacks cannot make.
Jayden Daniels will sometimes disappoint and frustrate Commanders fans. But at other times, he is not only good but also one of the better quarterbacks in terms of his ability to manage the ball, his completion percentage, his QBR, and his running ability.
Enjoy his “growth and development.” It looks like he will be a really good addition to Washington.