LANDOVER, Md. — Jayden Daniels is not just making waves with his impressive performances on the field; he’s also on track to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. His swift legs are proving to be as crucial to the Washington Commanders’ playoff aspirations as his strong throwing arm.
“That guy’s an absolute beast,” remarked Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris after watching Daniels dominate his team, rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries during their recent game. “He’s a tough tackle. He’s hell on wheels.”
Daniels has become vital to Washington’s rushing attack, especially as Brian Robinson Jr. continues to recover his rhythm from earlier in the season. In several games, including four of the last five, the rookie quarterback has led the team in rushing, enhancing the offensive dynamic for one of the NFL’s most prolific scoring teams.
“He is a dangerous player — and some of those runs were not necessarily by design,” coach Dan Quinn noted. “I cringe sometimes, but I also appreciate his competitive spirit.”
Notably, Daniels surpassed Robert Griffin III’s record, setting the mark for the most rushing yards by a rookie QB for Washington, with an impressive 864 yards, which is more than Robinson’s total. Additionally, he has accounted for six rushing touchdowns and thrown for 25.
The combination of 31 total touchdowns is the third highest for a rookie quarterback, trailing only Justin Herbert’s 36 touchdowns in 2020 and Cam Newton’s 35 in 2011. Moreover, his five touchdowns achieved in the last 30 seconds of games or overtime mark a distinct record for the position since the 1970 merger.
“He’s the most mature rookie I’ve ever been around,” commented tight end Zach Ertz, who caught his second touchdown from Daniels to secure the win against Atlanta in overtime. “He approaches every situation with the same calm demeanor.”
The Commanders’ defense also stepped up for the second week in a row, effectively limiting the opponent’s rushing game after a slow start. Though the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts was sidelined with a concussion, which shifted focus to Saquon Barkley, Morris and the Falcons surprisingly eased off on using Bijan Robinson, leaving numerous timeouts unused.
Despite these factors, the Commanders’ defense succeeded. Robinson managed only 8 rushing yards in the second half after a robust first half that included 82 yards and two touchdowns.
“We returned to our fundamentals, focusing on simplifying how to stop the run and shifting our focus back to the pass,” linebacker Frankie Luvu said.
However, Washington’s offensive line faced challenges, experiencing significant pressure from the Falcons and allowing Daniels to be sacked five times, which cost the team 31 yards. The absence of starting right tackle Andrew Wylie due to a groin injury left a gap, with Cornelius Lucas and center Tyler Biadasz also suffering injuries during the game.
On a positive note, Chris Rodriguez Jr., one of the few draft picks from coach Ron Rivera’s tenure, has stepped up as a dependable runner, providing relief for Robinson. He scored the only touchdown not made by Daniels against Atlanta with a crucial 2-yard rush that put Washington in the lead during the fourth quarter.
“Chris has a significant role here with us,” Quinn emphasized. “He plays square and downhill. The combination of him, Robinson, and Jeremy (McNichols) keeps things dynamic.”
On the downside, veteran cornerback Michael Davis was placed in a challenging situation when tasked with covering Drake London, especially with Marshon Lattimore sidelined due to a hamstring issue. London concluded the game with seven receptions for 106 yards, proving the Commanders need Lattimore back to bolster their playoff prospects.
Moreover, as the Commanders secure a spot as the NFC’s sixth seed, they face decisions regarding resting injured players like Lattimore, Wylie, and Biadasz to ensure their readiness for the wild-card round.
A notable achievement occurred for Ertz, who hit a $250,000 incentive on Sunday night, bringing his earnings to $750,000 this season, thanks to surpassing six touchdowns, 600 yards, and 60 catches.
Looking ahead, Washington aims to defeat the Cowboys, who will be without star player CeeDee Lamb. A victory would position them favorably for a first-round matchup against either the Buccaneers or the Rams. The Commanders are currently listed as 3-point favorites in betting odds for the upcoming game.
