Jayden Daniels gets fired up as Commanders keep season alive
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Jayden Daniels and the Commanders got a necessary win Sunday against the Eagles. Photo: Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Jayden Daniels, the Commanders' typically laid-back quarterback, had no chill Sunday night.
- After a disastrous first quarter against the Eagles, Daniels gathered his offense for a fiery sideline lecture about what he later called a "complete BS" performance.
Why it matters: The Commanders responded, finding their form in a 27-10 victory and keeping alive a season with little margin for error.
The big picture: Despite a tough couple of months, Washington remains in the hunt in the miserable NFC East.
- A loss might have pushed general manager Adam Peters toward selling at the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
- Instead, the Commanders can afford to wait and see, sitting just two games behind the first-place Giants.
Between the lines: We've written about Washington's persistent mental mistakes, but there's a factor that doesn't often get connected to them: Daniels' stop-and-go availability.
- As a rookie, Daniels played every game — and appeared completely dialed in.
- Since then, he's been in and out of the lineup as the offense has struggled with consistency and discipline.
- Sunday was the first time Daniels started and finished three consecutive games since the playoffs following his 2024 rookie season.
Zoom in: Daniels' dislocated left elbow, now protected by a bulky brace, appears to be holding up.
- He landed directly on it after Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith hit him as he threw.
- Daniels winced but quickly signaled that he wanted to stay in the game.
- "I got the wind knocked out of me," he said afterward. "It's only that."
Yes, but: The Eagles were a carcass of their usual selves. Injuries throughout the roster, including at quarterback, have contributed to six straight losses.
- After falling behind 10-0, Washington scored 27 unanswered points to turn a potential disaster into a rout.
- The Commanders finally rewarded fans for staying up late after losing their previous six primetime games.
The bottom line: This wasn't a statement win; it was a necessary one.
What's next: The Commanders host the Rams on Sunday. Los Angeles (4-4) hasn't lived up to its preseason superteam billing but remains among the top six or seven Super Bowl contenders.