Jayden Daniels Leads Washington Commanders to Playoff Glory
LANDOVER, Md. — The atmosphere was electric as Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took his seat at the postgame news conference. Still clad in his burgundy uniform, Daniels flashed a smile that spoke volumes about his performance on the field. “I’m tired,” he admitted, “But I’m happy.” And who could blame him? After all, he had just delivered a playoff-clinching performance that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Daniels’ heroics were on full display as his 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz in overtime secured a thrilling 30-24 win against the Atlanta Falcons, clinching a playoff spot for Washington. “He just willed it,” said Washington coach Dan Quinn, summing up Daniels’ determination and grit.
Daniels’ stats from the game were nothing short of remarkable. He threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 127 yards. In doing so, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least two touchdowns, pass for at least 200 yards, and run for at least 65 yards in three consecutive games. With 25 touchdown passes on the season, Daniels has firmly established himself as a force to be reckoned with.
His ability to convert crucial fourth downs was pivotal, including a 7-yard scoring pass on fourth-and-2 in the first quarter. These efforts were essential for Washington (11-5), marking their first 11-win season since 1991, the year they last won the Super Bowl. The Commanders currently hold the No. 6 seed and can secure that spot by winning against the Dallas Cowboys in the regular-season finale or if the Green Bay Packers lose to the Chicago Bears.
Washington’s last playoff appearance was in 2020, and they haven’t won a postseason game since 2005. However, with Daniels at the helm, the Commanders are brimming with confidence. “We just freaking win,” said punter Tress Way, the longest-tenured Commander. “I mean, we have 11 wins. What? … It does help when you have No. 5 on your team. That dude’s pretty freaking good.”
Last season, Washington managed only four wins, prompting the hiring of general manager Adam Peters and Quinn to revitalize the team. Quinn, however, preferred to call it a “recalibration” rather than a rebuild. With Daniels, the transformation seemed more like an “acceleration.” His work ethic and on-field prowess quickly earned him the respect of his teammates.
“It comes down to having a really good quarterback in this league,” Ertz said. “And from the moment I got here, seeing Jayden out there, I continually said this guy isn’t someone that’s going to be good, he’s good now. And when you have that position situated in this league, you have a chance. This organization is in a great spot for years to come.”
Washington’s recent victories have been nail-biters, with each game decided on the final play. They thwarted a 2-point conversion attempt to beat the New Orleans Saints, rallied from a 14-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, and then came Sunday’s dramatic win. Daniels also orchestrated a late drive for a field goal against the New York Giants in Week 2 and a Hail Mary victory over the Bears in Week 7.
In the game against the Falcons, Daniels led a 70-yard drive, overcoming a false-start penalty, by rushing for 42 yards and passing for 32. “He’s the most mature rookie I’ve ever been around. He exudes a quiet confidence,” Ertz said. “He’s not a rah-rah guy. We all know how good he is and how much confidence we have in him. He doesn’t need to say anything.”
Washington’s offseason signings, including Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner, were aimed at bolstering leadership. They also added linebacker Frankie Luvu for his playmaking abilities. Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has also been a key contributor, with 43 receptions this season, including eight in the latest game.
The Commanders have endured a tumultuous past, with no winning seasons since 2016 and investigations into a toxic work culture under former owner Dan Snyder. However, the sale of the team to Josh Harris in July 2023 marked a new beginning. “To go through what this team has the [previous] three years, it’s special,” said fourth-year tight end John Bates. “We just got a team that doesn’t flinch. It’s really a special deal.”
After the victory, Washington safety Jeremy Reaves proposed to his girlfriend, Mikaela Worley, on the field, adding a personal highlight to an already memorable night. “It’s an awesome feeling to be on the other side of things,” Reaves said.
Wagner, who has experienced success with the Seattle Seahawks, signed with Washington to reunite with Quinn. He sensed a growing camaraderie during training camp. “You saw that grow throughout the season,” Wagner said. “When you get a lot of guys confident and believing in one another, it makes the team scary.”
Originally Written by: John Keim
