Dan Quinn’s bold choices as head coach have led the Washington Commanders to a playoff victory, propelling the team further than many had anticipated at the start of the season.
These daring decisions reflect his coaching philosophy.
“I never want to look back and say, ‘Man, I wish I had gone for it,’” Quinn stated recently, expressing his desire to be remembered for his aggressive playing style.
His team has embraced this mindset, illustrated by their performance in the wild-card matchup against Tampa Bay, where they attempted fourth down conversions five times, successfully achieving three.
A significant moment came when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels connected with star receiver Terry McLaurin for a touchdown, securing the Commanders’ victory and a spot in the divisional round against NFC-leading Detroit.
“We’re not looking to be reckless, but we want to seize opportunities when they arise, and we’ve prepared well for these situations,” Quinn remarked.
With a remarkable 87% success rate on fourth downs during the regular season, the Commanders have demonstrated an exceptional capability in high-pressure moments.
Daniels, who has displayed remarkable composure as a rookie, attributes their success to the confidence instilled by the coaching staff.
“They believe in us to convert, and I believe in my teammates to block and make plays,” he said after the game.
There were instances when Quinn’s offensive calculations did not pan out, including a failure to convert early in the first quarter and again in the fourth.
However, a crucial fumble by Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield after their own fourth-and-goal miss allowed the Commanders another chance.
Daniels capitalized on this opportunity with a successful pass to McLaurin, putting Washington ahead late in the game.
Quinn disclosed that he prepares for these decisions during weekly practices and maintains communication with his players throughout the game to ensure alignment on their strategies.
“We adapt our decisions based on the game’s specifics such as time left, score, and field position,” he noted.
As for his quarterback, Daniels continues to gain mastery over the offense, displaying a keen understanding of when to run or pass under pressure.
He produced a total of 304 passing yards, with his only sack coming from a scramble where he managed to return to the line of scrimmage.
“It’s still just a game, even in the playoffs,” reflected six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, who noted the strong bond he has with Daniels.
Despite their quarterback’s stellar performance, the Commanders’ running game remains a concern, with their backs contributing only 44 yards on 19 carries, while Daniels himself managed to gain 36 yards.
This issue has persisted through their last five games, in which the running backs have averaged a mere 2.24 yards per carry.
In positive developments, kicker Zane Gonzalez, who has faced numerous setbacks this season, shined with crucial field goals, including a game-winning 37-yarder, marking the franchise’s first playoff victory in nearly two decades.
“He’s been clutch in practice, and for him to deliver in such a high-stakes moment is invaluable for us,” praised Quinn.
Conversely, cornerback Marshon Lattimore faced challenges against Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, who managed to score and gather multiple receptions throughout the game.
Quinn explained that Lattimore was limited in snaps following a hamstring injury, which could pose problems as they prepare to face All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown next.
Injury updates revealed that defensive tackle Daron Payne (finger), rookie tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder), and rookie linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring) exited the game, with Magee likely to miss the next matchup against Detroit.
A noteworthy statistic indicates that Daniels has commanded three games without a punt or turnover, an achievement that surpasses even that of legendary quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in their early careers.
Looking ahead, the Commanders will gear up for a challenging encounter with the Lions, who opened as 8.5-point favorites.
While pulling off another upset ranked higher than the last may require additional magic from Daniels, Quinn is confident that the team’s preparation will be unaffected by the short turnaround.
