LANDOVER, Md. — As Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, nonetheless carrying his burgundy uniform, sat down at a desk for his postgame information convention, he smiled and mentioned one thing that should not have shocked anybody after watching his playoff-clinching efficiency Sunday night time.
“I’m drained,” he mentioned. “But I’m completely happy.”
Carrying a franchise to the playoffs and its greatest season in years can do this to a rookie. But that is what Daniels has achieved: His 2-yard landing go to tight finish Zach Ertz in time beyond regulation gave Washington a 30-24 win in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons and clinched a playoff spot.
“He simply willed it,” Washington coach Dan Quinn mentioned of Daniels.
Daniels threw for 227 yards and three touchdowns and ran for one more 127 yards. He grew to become the primary quarterback in NFL historical past to throw for at the least two touchdowns, throw for at the least 200 yards and run for at the least 65 yards in three consecutive video games. He now has 25 landing passes on the season.
Daniels transformed three fourth downs, as effectively, one together with his legs and two together with his proper arm — together with a 7-yard scoring go on fourth-and-2 within the first quarter.
All of these yards and touchdowns had been wanted Sunday night. And as a result of Daniels did what he did, Washington (11-5) has received 11 video games for the primary time because the 1991 season, which was the final time the franchise received the Super Bowl. The Commanders at the moment maintain the No. 6 seed and may clinch that spot by successful on the Dallas Cowboys within the regular-season finale or if the Green Bay Packers lose at dwelling to the Chicago Bears.
Washington final made the playoffs in 2020, and it hasn’t received a postseason recreation because the 2005 marketing campaign. But the Commanders will enter filled with confidence because of Daniels, as effectively.
“We simply freaking win,” mentioned punter Tress Way, who joined the staff in 2015 and is the longest-tenured Commander. “I imply, we now have 11 wins. What? … It does assist when you may have No. 5 in your staff. That dude’s fairly freaking good.”
Washington received solely 4 video games final season however employed basic supervisor Adam Peters and Quinn to rebuild the staff. Quinn mentioned he didn’t view this as a rebuild, preferring the phrase “recalibration.”
But with Daniels, the phrase appeared to turn out to be one thing nearer to “accelerated.” He rapidly established himself with teammates due to his work habits and on-field means.
“It comes right down to having a very good quarterback on this league,” Ertz mentioned. “And from the second I bought right here, seeing Jayden on the market, I frequently mentioned this man is not somebody that is going to be good, he is good now.
“And when you may have that place located on this league, you may have an opportunity. This group is in an incredible spot for years to return.”
It was the third recreation in a row Washington received on the ultimate play from scrimmage: The Commanders held off a 2-point conversion try and high the New Orleans Saints; Daniels threw a landing go to cap a rally from 14 factors right down to fell the Philadelphia Eagles; after which Sunday night time’s journey passed off. Daniels additionally beat the New York Giants in Week 2 with a late drive for a area objective and the Bears in Week 7 on a Hail Mary.
Against the Falcons, Daniels led the 70-yard successful drive, which started with a false-start penalty, by working for 42 yards and throwing for 32.
“He’s probably the most mature rookie I’ve ever been round. He exudes a quiet confidence,” Ertz mentioned. “He’s not a rah-rah man. We all understand how good he’s and the way a lot confidence we now have in him. He does not have to say something.”
Washington signed Ertz and linebacker Bobby Wagner within the offseason to supply management. It inked linebacker Frankie Luvu to make huge performs. But the Commanders even have obtained key contributions from vast receiver Olamide Zaccheaus, who has 43 receptions on the season, together with eight Sunday night time.
Those gamers joined a franchise that has endured loads lately — and many years. Washington hadn’t had a successful season since 2016. The NFL then Congress investigated the group for what was termed a poisonous work tradition beneath earlier proprietor Dan Snyder. The Commanders made far more information off the sphere than on it.
But Snyder bought the staff to Josh Harris in July 2023, and after a 4-13 season, the Commanders launched into a franchise makeover.
“To undergo what this staff has the [previous] three years, it is particular,” mentioned fourth-year tight finish John Bates. “We simply bought a staff that does not flinch. It’s actually a particular deal.”
After the win, Washington security Jeremy Reaves introduced his girlfriend, Mikaela Worley, right down to the sphere, the place he proposed in entrance of a wall of cameras. She mentioned sure.
The total night time proved to be significant for him. After all, he has been with the franchise since 2018.
“It’s an superior feeling to be on the opposite facet of issues,” Reaves mentioned.
Wagner performed for quite a lot of good squads whereas with the Seattle Seahawks, successful one Super Bowl whereas shedding one other. He signed a one-year cope with Washington within the offseason to reunite with Quinn, his defensive coordinator for 2 years whereas with the Hawks.
As the Commanders went by way of camp, Wagner felt a bond creating.
“You noticed that develop all through the season,” Wagner mentioned. “When you get a number of guys assured and believing in each other, it makes the staff scary.”
