Everyone saw it. The dime that Jayden Daniels sent to Terry McLaurin to seal the Week 3 victory at the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. It was a thing of beauty.
With one throw, the Washington Commanders were given hope. They were given momentum. And they were given a chance to go to 3-1 with victory at the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4.
It's not perfect. Make no mistake - the defense is going to get better.
This team makes changes. When the coaches see things that aren't working, they do their homework and try other things. Maybe Joe Whitt Jr.'s alterations haven't worked, but it is not for his lack of trying. Eventually, someone in the backfield is going to step up. Eventually, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen are going to make a difference. One can hope.
With that being said, here's why Washington can beat the Cardinals in Week 4.
Reasons the Commanders will beat the Bengals in Week 4
Commanders' secondary improves
It's no secret that the weakness of the entire team through three weeks has been the secondary. The only other position group to consider would be the pass rush. But even they played somewhat better last game.
Is it crazy to think that the Commanders' secondary is only going to get better? Quan Martin is showing some good range. And though Jeremy Chinn has not been what fans were hoping for just yet, he does make his impact felt versus ball carriers. Maybe it is time for the new coaches to put some trust in Darrick Forrest and see if he can add a spark to the team.
Benjamin St-Juste has improved. He still makes his mistakes, but he has improved. He is the Commanders' best cornerback. That's not necessarily a good thing, but it is what it is.
He is going to have a tall task this weekend as St-Juste continues his gauntlet. Mike Evans, Malik Nabers, Ja'Marr Chase, and now Marvin Harrison Jr.
That's probably four Pro Bowl receivers that St-Juste has tasked with covering in the first quarter of the season. There aren't five corners in the league that wouldn't struggle with that list. He needs to be given some slack.
The rest of the guys have to pick it up. But with Dan Quinn and Whitt steering the ship, that could change at State Farm Stadium.
Commanders OL continues its run dominance
One of the biggest surprises this season thus far has been the play of the offensive line. With several new tweaks, they are quietly playing some very good football. It's been a long time since the Washington Commanders had protection to be proud of, but this unit is on the right track.
They gave Jayden Daniels some exceptional pockets to throw from. But where they have been dominant is in the run game.
They are simply displacing people. Picking up defensive linemen and setting them down in another place. Mixed with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, it is a recipe for success.
Without Ekeler this weekend, the Commanders will be missing a key link to the offense. But with the play of the offensive line in the run game so far, it shouldn't stop Washington from asserting itself against the Arizona Cardinals' front seven.
Adam Peters and Dan Quinn seem to have pressed every single correct button as regards the protection this offseason. Tyler Biadasz has been a godsend at the center spot and is likely the primary reason for the huge change. The same could be said for left guard Nick Allegretti. On Ekeler's long touchdown run last Monday, the hole they created was absurd.
Combined with Sam Cosmi at right guard and rookie Brandon Coleman coming along nicely at left tackle, is it possible that the offensive line has been fixed? Even Andrew Wylie is playing better. Hard to believe, but true.
The Cardinals are giving up a 123.3 yards per game on the ground. The Commanders are currently fifth in the league in rushing yards per game.
Except the Commanders to test the Cardinals' front early. And not only with Robinson Jr. Wouldn't it be something if just one week after showing off his arm talent - Daniels reminds the NFL that he's potentially the second-best running quarterback in the league?
Jayden Daniels puts dual-threat abilities on full display
What would be an absolute nightmare for the rest of the NFC East to see this weekend? Jayden Daniels putting his dual-threat abilities on full display to make the league sit up and take notice once again.
With each showcase of his ability to deliver the ball on target where it needs to go, the more defensive coordinators are going to have to focus on the Washington Commanders' passing attack and their potentially underrated group of wide receivers - a lot of which will depend on the growth of Luke McCaffrey.
When they have to focus on the receivers and tight ends, that is going to open up space for Kliff Kingsbury to start throwing in some designed runs for the rookie quarterback. Expect that to happen in Week 4 at the Arizona Cardinals. Combined with taking some deep shots, the run game, and the screens that Kingsbury seems so fond of, the Commanders could put the Cardinals' defense in a dizzying situation.
To think that Washington may have found the type of quarterback that is the primary reason they will win a lot of games in the future sounds a bit absurd to the fans who have been desperate for so long. It's too early for that. But that doesn't mean this wave won't last at least another week.
I won't be surprised if Daniels breaks one big run at some point in this game, whether on a design or a scramble. Not that he shouldn't be keeping his eyes downfield for Terry McLaurin and company, but with what they showed on tape last weekend, it's possible that the Cardinals would rather him run than throw.
That's quite a predicament opposing defenses upcoming on the Commanders' schedule. Daniels is riding on the crest of a wave following his exceptional outing at the Cincinnati Bengals. Building on this positive momentum is critical.
