LANDOVER, Md. — When the Washington Commanders took possession 57 yards from the top zone with lower than two minutes remaining and trailing by 5 factors in opposition to a group that had received 10 straight video games, quarterback Jayden Daniels confirmed no indicators of stress.
It is simple to see why: Daniels continues to ship in these moments. He did so as soon as once more with a 9-yard landing go to receiver Jamison Crowder with 6 seconds remaining in a 36-33 win over the Philadelphia Eagles (12-3).
“He actually lights up in these spots,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn mentioned. “As we speak, he turned a heavy hitter.”
However Daniels’ heroics weren’t restricted to the ultimate landing go. He turned the primary rookie quarterback in franchise historical past — and seventh in NFL historical past — to throw 5 landing passes in a sport because the Commanders inched nearer to a playoff berth.
Washington (10-5) can clinch a spot with another win. The Commanders subsequent play Dec. 28 in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons (8-7).
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For Daniels, Sunday’s efficiency was a continuation of huge performs and even larger moments. He threw three landing passes within the fourth quarter alone — in addition to an interception on the Commanders’ penultimate drive.
“You need to see the way you match up in opposition to these kinds of [teams],” Daniels mentioned.
Already this season he accomplished a 52-yard Hail Mary to beat the Chicago Bears; he threw two landing passes within the ultimate 4 minutes in opposition to Dallas that might have resulted in a tie had Washington made the second additional level. In a win over Cincinnati in Week 3, Daniels threw a landing go with lower than 4 minutes left to clinch a win.
Daniels additionally led a game-winning discipline aim drive to beat the New York Giants in Week 2. There is a cause he is the NFL’s top-rated quarterback within the ultimate two minutes of regulation amongst quarterbacks with not less than 10 begins. He has thrown an NFL-best 4 landing passes in that stretch.
“I really like these kinds of conditions,” Daniels mentioned. “These are when it is on skinny ice and performs should be made. That is what you reside for. Should you actually love the game you reside for these big-time moments the place it comes all the way down to the top, every little thing’s in opposition to you, your again is in opposition to the wall. How will you reply?”
It is why Daniels is taken into account the probably front-runner to win offensive rookie of the yr. He now has 22 landing passes.
“I see a number of poise,” Crowder mentioned. “He is cool, calm, collected underneath stress. Quite a lot of occasions you aren’t getting that from a number of quarterbacks.”
Within the postgame locker room, receiver Terry McLaurin — who caught an over-the-shoulder 32-yard go for a landing within the second quarter — advised Daniels he beloved enjoying with him. It is comprehensible: McLaurin has a career-high 12 landing catches and surpassed 1,000 yards receiving for the fifth consecutive season.
“If we’re making performs or lacking performs he simply has a approach to keep even-keel,” McLaurin mentioned. “I’ve by no means seen that from a rookie at any place, not to mention one quarterbacking. He has a means of creating the correct performs when it is time. You may’t educate that. His capability to get higher each week and be taught from his errors is why he has an opportunity to be one of many nice ones.”
Daniels additionally damage the Eagles along with his legs. He rushed for 82 of the Commanders’ 114 yards speeding. None mattered greater than the 29 yards he picked up on a fourth-and-11 scramble, swerving previous defenders in the midst of the sphere, to the Eagles’ 12. Three performs later he linked with receiver Olamide Zaccheaus for a 4-yard landing.
“I’ve by no means seen him flinch,” McLaurin mentioned. “The one time I’ve ever seen him present emotion is after we misplaced to Baltimore [in Week 6]. He was on the sideline and I used to be upset, however I used to be form of smiling to myself as a result of [I was thinking], we have got us one. He hates to lose.”
Daniels arrives on the facility by 5:30 a.m. and conducts a walk-through with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury three days every week — ending round 6:30 a.m. Quinn mentioned he has labored his gamers extra on situational soccer than at any time in his teaching historical past.
That is why the gamers mentioned it felt similar to apply when driving for the game-winning rating. Actually, Daniels threw a landing go to Crowder on the identical route in opposition to the identical two-safety look in apply Friday.
Due to this preparation, Daniels avoids feeling pressured — even after throwing an interception late within the fourth quarter that led to an Eagles discipline aim.
“That retains the remainder of us calm,” Washington guard Sam Cosmi mentioned. “The largest factor that is nice to see is the person who has essentially the most perception in his capability is himself. He is a canine; he is a competitor. I am actually comfortable he is my QB.”
