CINCINNATI — Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Well, if you fell asleep after the thrilling conclusion of “Monday Night Football,” you can thank rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels for the excitement that kept you awake. The Washington Commanders’ young signal-caller delivered an electrifying performance in his prime-time debut, outshining fellow LSU Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.
Daniels showcased his remarkable skills with a near-flawless display that left Cincinnati Bengals defenders scratching their heads. His ability to evade the Bengals’ pass rush and make critical plays under pressure was nothing short of mesmerizing. At just 23 years old and in only his third game, he set a rookie record with a stunning single-game completion percentage of 91.3%. Moreover, he led Washington to score on all six of its drives, excluding kneeldowns, while maintaining the team’s turnover count at a perfect zero.
The standout moments were not limited to his efficient passing. Daniels executed jaw-dropping throws, including a 55-yard bomb in the second quarter and a perfectly placed 27-yard lob that found its target seven yards deep in the end zone, sealing Washington’s final points. The player on the receiving end, Terry McLaurin, couldn’t contain his excitement. “Both throws were dimes,” he exclaimed. “Dimes!”
Teammates, including veterans like McLaurin, celebrated not just the 38-33 victory that pushed Washington to an unexpected 2-1 record, but also the brilliance they witnessed from their young quarterback. Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for a 4-yard score without putting the ball in jeopardy, marking another interception-less game. He even made history by throwing his first career touchdown pass to offensive lineman Trent Scott, a moment that will surely be a trivia question for years to come.
What stood out even more was Daniels’ poise and creativity, especially when the Bengals narrowed the score to just one point with Ja’Marr Chase’s second touchdown reception at 9:42 remaining in the game. The young quarterback calmly orchestrated a 12-play, 70-yard drive capped off by McLaurin’s touchdown catch, which included a crucial fourth-and-4 conversion from the Bengals’ 39-yard line, where he connected with tight end Zach Ertz for a 9-yard gain.
Despite their shaky chemistry in the first two games, Daniels and McLaurin finally clicked, and the connection was electric. After the Ertz catch, they connected again three plays later on a pass that NFL’s Next Gen Stats labeled the season’s most improbable completion. “I’m not sure I’ve seen something like that,” remarked 13-year veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner.
For many Washington fans, this kind of performance has been long-awaited. The franchise has struggled since its last Super Bowl win in 1991, with the drought extending through years of quarterback instability. Joe Theismann, who led the team to its first Super Bowl victory in 1982, took to social media to express his excitement: “Washington, get excited about our team and our QB.”
The Commanders have not enjoyed a winning season since 2016, the year before two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was drafted. “He’s special,” Allen commented on Daniels’ performance. In McLaurin’s six seasons, he has witnessed six different starting quarterbacks, so it’s understandable if he hesitated to proclaim the rookie as the franchise savior. However, after this performance, it’s hard not to be optimistic. “Hey, that kid has poise. I think he grew up tonight,” McLaurin said. “He’s been doing a great job in camp making those throws, but to come out here and do it when you’ve got to have it with the game on the line — that’s what great players are about.”
On the other side, the Bengals faced a harsh reality with a 0-3 record. Every possession saw both teams advance past midfield, but while Cincinnati settled for three field goal attempts—one of which was missed—Washington’s offense, which had been labeled a “college offense” by Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt last week, proved unstoppable. “I thought their quarterback played great,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “He was a difficult challenge. Obviously, it wasn’t enough for us today.”
As the postgame discussions swirled around Daniels’ impressive outing, he remained grounded. “It’s great,” he said of the victory. “Not just for me, but the whole team.” When Commanders coach Dan Quinn decided to trust the rookie on a pivotal fourth down instead of opting for a field goal or punt, Daniels recognized the significance of that faith. The resulting 1-yard touchdown pass to Scott extended Washington’s lead to 28-13 in the third quarter, and Scott admitted feeling “nervous as crap” about not dropping the ball on “Monday Night Football.” He didn’t drop it, and the camaraderie and confidence in the locker room were palpable.
While Daniels and the offense executed their game plan with few mistakes, he credited his offensive line for providing solid protection. Running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. each contributed with touchdowns, and a 62-yard kick return by Ekeler set up Scott’s score. Despite Ekeler leaving the game with a concussion, the overall team effort was commendable.
Quinn emphasized the importance of contributions from all three phases of the game. “And we certainly did that,” he noted. Yet, it was Daniels who stole the show. “He’s a really cool customer and he’s got great poise about him,” Quinn praised. “I thought it was a really strong performance by him.”
Daniels avoided self-congratulation during his postgame press conference, displaying humility as he reflected on his journey. “What’s done in the dark will always come to light,” he stated. When asked what he wanted to convey to the NFL, he simply said, “I’m a competitor. I want to compete at the highest level. It’s a blessing to be able to go out there each and every game to do things that a lot of people in the world can’t do.”
His words encapsulated the essence of his performance—confident yet grounded, showing immense potential while acknowledging the work that has brought him this far. The action on the field spoke volumes, and the noise from the crowd was deafening.
(Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images)
