“Jayden Daniels was the best player in the NFL this weekend.”
When was the last time you heard a NFL television analyst say such thing about a Washington Redskin or Washington Commander?
That was how Dan Orlovsky opened his comments Monday regarding the Commanders’ 36-33 come-from-behind victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor rushed for three touchdowns on his way to 218 rushing yards as the Colts defeated the Titans. Taylor’s effort was the only other possible candidate for the best overall performance in Week 16 games.
As for which team might have been the best in Week 16? That would go to the Green Bay Packers, who pulled off the first defensive shutout of the season when they blanked the New Orleans Saints 34-0 on MNF.
“Jayden Daniels was the best player in the NFL this weekend. He is unflappable.”
—@danorlovsky7 on the Commanders’ rookie QB performance in win vs. the Eagles 😯 pic.twitter.com/onlgMds5h8
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 23, 2024
Daniels completed 24 of 39 passing attempts for 258 yards. There were two interceptions; however, there were also five touchdown passes. Not to be missed, the Eagles put good pressure on Daniels several times, but he managed to escape, only being sacked once.
The Eagles pretty much shut down the Commanders’ rushing attack. However, Daniels was also quite effective running, gaining 81 yards on his nine carries.
On the final play of the third quarter, trailing 27-14, Washington was in a tough spot. It was 4th down & 11 from just outside the Eagles’ 41. Dan Quinn elected to see if Daniels could make a play. However, the pocket quickly broke down, and Daniels ran up the middle of the field. When three Eagles converged at the 33, Daniels suddenly cut to his right and appeared to cause all three to miss entirely. He avoided another tackler at the 25, gaining 29 yards to the Eagles’ 11. Daniels finished the drive, finding Olamide Zaccheaus from four yards out, making it a 27-21.
Moments later, Daniels found Zaccheaus from 49 yards, giving the Commanders their first lead of the day (28-27). Trailing again 33-28 with 1:57 remaining, Daniels found Zaccheaus for seven yards and Terry McLaurin for ten. Daniels then ran up the middle for 12 yards. McLaurin was again on the receiving end of a 10-yard gain.
From the nine, Daniels dropped back and found Jamison Crowder in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score.
Orlovsky might have been right, Daniels might just have been the best player in the NFL last Sunday.
