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John Keim, ESPN Employees Author
LANDOVER, Md. — At one level on the game-winning drive, Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels could not assist however chortle. He was making performs; he was moments from securing his first win within the NFL; he was having enjoyable.
“That is what you reside for, these moments,” Daniels mentioned. “That is the place names get made within the league.”
Within the last-second, 21-18 win over the New York Giants (0-2) that evened the Commanders’ file at 1-1, Daniels obtained loads of assist. Placekicker Austin Seibert, signed Tuesday, made a franchise-record seven area objectives, together with the decisive 30-yarder on the buzzer, and operating backs Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler mixed for 218 yards from scrimmage.
However Daniels’ poise — and large performs — helped engineer the win. He was sacked 5 instances and beneath stress on different events. Nonetheless, he accomplished 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and ran 10 instances for 44 yards in what additionally was Dan Quinn’s first victory as Washington’s coach.
On his final two drives, with Washington trailing 18-15, Daniels, the second general draft choose in April, accomplished a mixed 7 of 9 passes for 91 yards whereas operating twice for 15 yards.
“He simply continues to point out poise by means of the ups and downs of the sport and being a younger quarterback,” Washington receiver Olamide Zaccheaus mentioned. “He was really laughing. I really like that; simply being himself.”
Daniels ran 16 instances within the 37-20 season-opening loss at Tampa Bay, partly a perform of the Bucs’ go rush mixed with enjoying a whole lot of man protection. And in the course of the week he and others within the group talked about classes he may be taught from only one sport.
At instances, Quinn mentioned, Daniels may have stayed within the pocket longer with a learn on a play. Different instances, it was a matter of constructing chemistry with receiver Terry McLaurin, whom he overthrew on a slot fade when a back-shoulder throw was a greater choice. And typically Tampa Bay fooled him with its coverages, inflicting him to predetermine his reads and miss potential large positive factors.
However colleagues additionally pointed to the rookie’s poise throughout a sport by which he needed to escape quite a few pressures. Daniels confirmed that poise once more Sunday.
“He hasn’t been fazed,” Robinson mentioned. “Not one time by something unfavourable that occurs. I have not seen his vitality go down or something. He is as constructive as anyone on his staff. Even in essentially the most crucial instances or when issues are backed up. He is an awesome chief in these conditions. He is capable of struggle by means of as our quarterback to assist put us in a greater scenario.”
Daniels has but to throw a landing — or an interception.
“He has an actual aware for the ball,” Quinn mentioned. “That was one of many issues that made him so distinctive popping out of faculty. He has a mindset about it.”
Coaches additionally name Daniels a fast examine. Early within the fourth quarter Sunday, he linked with Noah Brown for a 15-yard achieve on the correct aspect. Then, on the ultimate drive, Washington returned to the same route idea with Brown. Daniels seemed left, then returned to his proper and linked with him for a 34-yard achieve to the Giants’ 43 that sparked the drive.
“I knew he was capable of win on that route if I received the time I wanted,” mentioned Daniels, who exchanged jerseys after the sport with former LSU teammate Malik Nabers.
Daniels additionally transformed a third-and-13 by scrambling for 14 yards. The one hiccup: He was sidelined when he received the wind knocked out of him. As Daniels ran upfield, he seemed to his proper and noticed the first-down marker, then reduce upfield between two defenders and was drilled within the abdomen by nook Dru Phillips.
“He is a tricky dude,” Robinson mentioned. “Over time he’ll proceed to point out how he is a participant. What extra would I need from a quarterback that is keen to place his physique on the road at a crucial time?”
“Ain’t the primary time so it ain’t nothing new with me,” Daniels mentioned about holding his poise regardless of quite a few hits.
Seibert, in the meantime, was the fifth kicker Washington had signed since March. He obtained a sport ball from Quinn after the win.
“That is form of a good way to welcome myself,” Seibert mentioned. “So I am pleased with it. … You need to make the most of the alternatives that current themselves.”
Seibert made six kicks from 33 yards and in, and one from 45. He completed one make shy of tying the NFL file.
“I’ve by no means seen something like that,” linebacker Bobby Wagner mentioned. “Only a particular efficiency.”
