Daniels and Commanders have a bright future

(News4usonline) – The Washington Commanders had a wonderful season. The Commanders made it to the NFC title game, which was one game out of being able to play in the Super Bowl. 

Unfortunately, the dream season for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Commanders came to a humbling end at the hands of a 55-23 defeat. 

However, Daniels and the Commanders don’t have anything to hold their heads down about. They battled the Eagles all the way. And if not for a fumble late in the game by running back Austin Ekeler, Daniels and the Commander would have been in a great position to take the game to the wire. 

CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 23: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) looks to pass during the game against the Washington Commanders and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 23, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire)

At that point in the game, the Eagles were clinging to a 34-23 lead. Daniels and Washington were on the move and seemed poised to get another score, quite possibly, a touchdown. If that were the case, the Commanders would have trailed the Eagles by three or four points, depending if Washington had gone and converted a two-point opportunity. 

The Commanders never got that chance thanks to Ekeler’s miscue. The Eagles went on to take advantage of the turnover and scored. That was ballgame. The game soon turned into a rout. 

Despite their season coming to a crushing end, Daniels and the Commanders achieved more than what a lot of people expected. 

Chosen as the No. 2 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, used his poise, confidence and passing accuracy to lead Washington to their first playoff win since 2005 when they defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC Wild Card game. 

Daniels, the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year, then proceeded to lead the Commanders to a Herculean upset of the Detroit Lions, the No. 1 seeded team in the NFC. That magic came to a resounding and abrupt halt after the Eagles touched the endzone for eight touchdowns and came away with four Washington turnovers. 

Daniels continued to shine, even in the loss. For the game against the Eagles, Daniels totaled over 300 yards of offense. He completed 29 of 48 passes for 255 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for another 46 years and a score to pace Washington’s offense. 

LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 22: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws a pass from the pocket during the Philadelphia Eagles game versus the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 22, 2024, in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire)

Before the Commanders played the Eagles, Washington head coach Dan Quinn spoke highly of James and his capabilities as a playmaker. 

He’s got rare, in the moment skills that have allowed us to be into this spot,” Quinn said. “When it’s mental chaos going down and two-minutes, in these tight moments where it could feel that tight, he’s got the experience of somebody that’s played a lot more football than a first-year player.” 

With all the success he has had throughout his rookie season and taking his team to one game away from being in the Super Bowl, Daniels doesn’t take any of that for granted. 

“I just think for me, football is just, it’s fun and like I said, it’s like a safe haven for me,” Daniels said. “Everything I’ve been through personally in my life, so I’m not really going out there and stressing about the moment because at the end of the day, I get to do what I love each and every week. Win, lose or draw. So, it’s just a blessing to be one of those kids that are able to fulfill their dream and live out their dream of playing on Sundays in the NFL.”

Lead Image Caption: ANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 29: Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs upfield, maneuvering to evade Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss (55) during the Atlanta Falcons game versus the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium on December 29, 2024, in Landover, MD. (Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire)


Discover more from News4usonline

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Discover more from News4usonline

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading