Jayden Daniels, Commanders Impress NFL Fans with Win vs. Daniel Jones, Giants

For the first time since 1996, the Washington Commanders have won seven of their first nine games. They achieved that feat Sunday courtesy of a 27-22 road win over the New York Giants.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, an MVP candidate at this point, completed 15-of-22 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns (both to wide receiver Terry McLaurin). He also rushed eight times for 35 yards.

For the season, Daniels has completed 71.49 percent of his passes for 1,944 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 459 yards and four scores.

On Sunday, Daniels found McLaurin for a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter to open the scoring:

The Giants and Commanders then traded touchdowns, with Big Blue quarterback Daniel Jones finding Chris Manhertz for six before Washington running back Austin Ekeler bullied into the end zone.

With 20 seconds left in the first half, Daniels hit Dyami Brown for 24 yards on 3rd-and-18, putting the ball at the Giants’ 18-yard line. One play later, Daniels found McLaurin for 18 yards, and the Commanders took a 21-7 lead into the half.

At halftime, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had zero passing yards, but Big Blue outgained Washington 142-68 on the ground. That wasn’t good enough against Daniels, who made big plays throughout the half for the two-score lead.

The Giants fought back in the second half, with Jones rushing for a two-yard score before later finding rookie Theo Johnson for a 35-yard touchdown toss. New York missed two-point conversions after both touchdowns, making the score 27-22 Washington with 2:48 left.

However, the Commanders ran out the clock thanks to Daniels, who found Olamide Zaccheaus for a 42-yard pass to help extend a game-ending drive.

And so the Commanders now have seven wins, or three more than the team had all of last year. Daniels has played the biggest part in that resurgence, but the Commanders are firing on all cylinders right now. They seem like a team of destiny, too, especially after Daniels’ Hail Mary pass to Noah Brown capped an 18-15 win over the Chicago Bears last Sunday.

Washington still has eight games left, but this team is on fire right now. Fans and analysts are undoubtedly impressed with Daniels and the Commanders, with the quarterback even getting some MVP consideration.