After the Washington Commanders knocked off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, everyone gave Jayden Daniels and the Commanders their credit for the win. Heading into this week, the sentiment changed as everyone in the media believed that the Commanders stood no chance and that the Lions would dominate the Commanders.
The narratives and the outside noise did not matter to the Commanders however as the team came out and beat the Lions at their own game in many ways.
The Detroit Lions took an early 7-3 lead heading into the second quarter before Jayden Daniels and the Commanders exploded scoring 28 points in the second quarter. The quarter started with the Commanders driving 78 yards down the field for a touchdown. After the Lions answered with a touchdown, Jayden Daniels threw for one of the easier touchdowns of his early career as Terry McLaurin took a screen pass 59 yards for a touchdown.
TERRY MCLAURIN OH MY GOODNESS
— PFF (@PFF) January 19, 2025
pic.twitter.com/Dovpp5YH0w
The defense then helped the offense out intercepting Jared Goff taking it back for a touchdown. The Lions answered in a flash before Daniels led the offense on a 70 yard drive resulting in a Zach Ertz touchdown giving Washington a 10 point lead at the half.
Jayden Daniels had to get Zach Ertz a touchdown in this game!pic.twitter.com/cDumrZJQWO
— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) January 19, 2025
When the Lions scored to cut this back to a 3 point game, the Commanders punched back like they did all night going on a 70 yard drive that took 8 minutes off of the clock. After the defense forced yet another interception, Daniels iced the game taking the offense on a 66 yard drive taking 5 minutes off the clock.
J-MAC FINDS THE END ZONE @JeremyMcNichols
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
📺 #WASvsDET FOXpic.twitter.com/ZiVgIuddfC
Jayden Daniels finished the game 22 of 31 passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns adding 51 yards with his legs. The impressive thing about Jayden Daniels this year is his poise as a Rookie as it never looks like a moment is too big and he hardly ever starts pressing when the game starts to shift.
This has been a storybook season for the Commanders and an incredible Rookie season for Jayden Daniels as he continues to look more impressive each week. Daniels is having one of the greatest Rookie seasons for a quarterback ever and we get to watch him play atleast one more week in the NFC Championship Game.