Jayden Daniels’ clutch gene leads Commanders, a devastated fan base, into the playoffs
News

Jayden Daniels’ clutch gene leads Commanders, a devastated fan base, into the playoffs

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

LANDOVER, Md. – Zach Ertz signed with the Washington Commanders in the offseason.

When the veteran signed a one-year deal in March, they likely didn’t have a starting quarterback on the roster for Week 1. What the organization carried, by and large, was the stench of a terrible reputation it had earned over two decades. Ertz had broken into the league during Barack Obama’s second term as president and spent much of his career in Philadelphia. He was aware of the infractions on and off the field when the division rival was on I-95.

“You heard things here and there, rumblings,” Ertz said Sunday evening.

Thanks to late-night comics and dirty headlines, so did the NFL universe and countless non-football fans. Oddsmakers and pundits reasonably predicted another underwater campaign despite a change in ownership, a shakeup in the front office and coaching staff, and a revamped roster. The group then came together and socialized through off-season programs, various practices and games. Every preconceived notion about a cursed franchise disappeared.

“From the moment I got here, I felt like all of these stories weren’t part of my experience,” Ertz said.

He is one of the lucky ones. On Sunday night at Northwest Stadium, even the most diehard supporters, branded by years of doubt and ridicule, appreciated their blessings. At the top of the list is quarterback Jayden Daniels and a playoff spot that was considered unthinkable before the season began.

Despite Washington trailing by 10 points after a lackluster first half, committing 13 penalties and blowing a seven-point lead with just under a minute left in regulation, Daniels pulled it off It again. What is this”? To borrow the title of a 2022 film: “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” He capped his final unreal performance with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ertz on the first drive of overtime for the safety thus a 30:24 victory.

The play secured Washington’s first playoff appearance since 2020. Atlanta kicker Riley Patterson, who missed a 56-yard field goal on the final play of regulation, was more than helpful.

If the Commanders beat the Cowboys on Sunday in Dallas, they will be the conference’s sixth seed and travel to face either the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams or the NFC South representative, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Falcons. With a loss to Dallas and a Green Bay win over the Chicago Bears in Week 18, the Commanders will face the Eagles for the third time. Whatever happens, at least Washington and its rookie phenom are in the mix.

We shouldn’t reduce Daniels’ momentum to the team’s seventh home win of the season when his years of effort count for much, much more.

The game-winning touchdown pass to Ertz guaranteed Washington at least 11 wins for the first time since 1991, that the Commanders would be part of the postseason fun and that the pair would live forever in Washington history. You have plenty of company.

Managing Partner Josh Harris established logical working parameters. General manager Adam Peters led the roster redux. Head coach Dan Quinn and his staff laid the foundation for this improbable season.

“Man, it feels great to be on the other side of things,” said special teams star Jeremy Reaves, a part of the organization since 2018 and a dedicated man shortly after the final touchdown. “(Quinn) constantly preaches, ‘Winning moments, winning moments.'”

The owners and football officials do not work within the white lines at the start of games. Daniels does. Summarize the fan base’s thoughts on that previous statement in a two-word comment and you get: “Thank God.”

Daniels boasted a career-high 127 rushing yards, often coming through as the offensive line struggled to maintain a clean pocket – and little else worked consistently. Despite being sacked five times, he completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns – two to Ertz – and one interception in front of a roaring crowd that booed or remained silent for years.

“It’s tough down the stretch,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said of Daniels. “This guy is an absolute beast. He showed it today. He showed the clutch gene all year long.”

It’s a cliché to say that a player left everything on the field. In this case, the cliché is a hit.

“I’m tired right now,” Daniels said after the game, “but I’m excited. I’m happy. The fan base has been waiting for this for a long time.”

The wait seemed likely to continue at various points. Washington, pressured on both sides of the line by the Falcons (8-8), trailed 17-7 at halftime. Atlanta overran the Commanders’ defense for 101 yards in the first half. On first down, the Falcons averaged 6.3 yards on 11 carries, including the first of two 1-yard touchdowns from Bijan Robinson.

There were stressful four-down plays – Washington converted on all three. Injuries to center Tyler Biadasz (ankle) and Cornelius Lucas (groin), who filled in at right tackle for the injured Andrew Wylie (groin), hampered line play.

Daniels’ legs, arms and will to win provided a boost, but Atlanta tied the game with 1:13 left in regulation on fellow rookie Michael Penix Jr.’s 13-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to tight end Kyle Pitts scored.

After holding Washington scoreless for the first time in four second-half drives, Patterson, a participant in the Commanders’ training camp this summer, missed a 56-yarder as time expired. Atlanta had a chance after cornerback Michael Davis, one of the selected replacements for the injured Marshon Lattimore, was cited for pass interference on Falcons receiver Darnell Mooney with two seconds left.

Morris’ questionable decision to let the clock run down in the final minute rather than use a timeout led to the overlong free kick.

No matter the circumstances – whether in practice or in live action – this team doesn’t let up. No one has sharper eyes than 24-year-old Daniels.

“He’s the most mature rookie I’ve ever been around,” Ertz said.

go deeper

Go deeper

A season’s worth of struggles strengthened the Commanders and led them to the playoffs

While Ertz earned $750,000 in performance bonuses throughout the season, the record holders stayed busy because of Daniels.

According to the NFL, he became the fifth rookie quarterback since 1950 with a comeback score of more than 10 points in consecutive starts. According to Commanders PR, Daniels became the first quarterback in NFL history with at least two touchdowns, more than 200 passing yards and 65 or more rushing yards in three consecutive games. The successes don’t stop there.

The exciting rookie quarterback began his run in Week 2 with a comeback win against the New York Giants, with the offense scoring field goals on every drive. Made his professional breakthrough on “Monday Night Football” in Cincinnati, a game-winning Hail Mary touchdown against the Bears in Week 8 or last week’s crazy comeback against the division-winning Eagles. Everything led to the magic of Sunday.

Terry McLaurin caught six touchdown passes from Daniels in the last four games. Thanks to good coverage from AJ Terrell and tipped passes, the Falcons held McLaurin to one catch on seven targets. Washington’s running backs weren’t the dominant force for most of the game. Wide receiver Dyami Brown was inactive. The Falcons’ defense lost six tackles and five sacks, which had a devastating impact on Washington’s rookie left tackle Brandon Coleman, among others.

Regardless, Daniels found a way.

Olamide Zaccheaus became the wideout of choice. After scoring twice last week, Zaccheaus caught eight passes for 85 yards, with a 7-yard touchdown providing the game’s first points. Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and then threw across his body for the score.

Washington’s first two possessions of the second half ended with touchdowns by Ertz and running back Chris Rodriguez Jr., halting Atlanta’s momentum and eating up nearly 15 minutes of game time. Washington retained possession of the ball for almost 42 minutes of the roughly 67-minute game.

The final throw to Ertz — “a confidence throw,” the tight end said — required a fingertip catch. Daniels placed the ball where his big target could make the play and “threw the ball at about 1,000 miles per hour,” Ertz joked.

Daniels’ 16 carries matched Tampa Bay’s Week 1 total when he pitched NFL play. This time the runs felt purposeful. It’s never a one-man show, but it felt like a college offense where the quarterback is the earth, moon and sun.

“I tried to make plays and help the team as best I could to win this football game,” Daniels said. “Man, I just want to win.”

Teammates noticed and raved about Daniels’ work ethic, attitude and camaraderie from the jump.

Safety Quan Martin, who had an interception and repeatedly lashed out at Atlanta players as if they had wronged him in real life, said of Daniels: “He’s spectacular.”

Linebacker Bobby Wagner’s resume includes a Super Bowl title and numerous personal awards. He knows the goods when he sees them.

“He’s a special player,” Wagner said of his little football brother. “There is no one like him.”

There hasn’t been anything like this team here for years. The stench of the past is gone, replaced by the smell of success and that night, love is in the air.

Love for the soon-to-be-married Reaves, the fans of this 2024 squad, and the organization from top to bottom.

While this group hasn’t yet surpassed other iterations on the field, they believe this run isn’t over yet. The commanders already have great emotional wealth. The DC area football family is rejuvenated thanks to ownership, team leaders, key additions, key holdovers, and perhaps most of all, Daniel’s performance It again.

what is It? For this fan base, everything, everywhere, everything at once.

(Photo: Amber Searls/Imagn Images)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *