The Washington Commanders overcame five turnovers to beat the Philadelphia Eagles at the death 36-33 at Northwest Stadium, thanks to Jayden Daniels having another clutch moment in the fourth quarter.
Needing a touchdown to take the lead, Daniels had under two minutes to march down the field...and that's what he did. Jayden would go five for six with 38 passing yards and added another 14 on the ground before firing a nine-year touchdown strike to Jamison Crowder to put his team ahead with just six seconds left on the clock.
For receiver Terry McLaurin, who had five receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown, Daniels is exhibiting something he's never seen from a rookie...in any position.
“Man, he’s so poised,” McLaurin said. “No matter if we’re making plays or we’re missing plays, he just has a way to stay even-keeled. I’ve never seen that from a rookie at any position, let alone quarterback. He has the utmost confidence in the guys around him, and he has a way of just making the right plays when it's time. You can’t teach that. He has a chance to be one of the great ones.”
Despite Daniels throwing two interceptions, the rookie tossed five touchdown passes while going 24 for 39 with 257 yards to help his team punch its playoff ticket with two games remaining.
Head coach Dan Quinn said earlier in the week that his team's next step was to beat "heavy-hitters" like the Eagles. Well, the Commanders, despite so many self-inflicted wounds, managed to hang 36 points on a defense (most Eagles have conceded all season) that is one of the best in football.
It looms as a signature win for Daniels and the Commanders under this new regime, and we imagine that it will be a little tough not to ride the emotional rollercoaster after this performance.
A last-second win over a division rival and punched their playoff ticket. They kind of deserve it, don't they?
