Jayden Daniels' mobility
Jayden Daniels wasn't a big fan of wearing a knee brace for the game. The quarterback probably saw it as a sign of weakness and a potential bullseye for the Los Angeles Chargers to attack. Even so, the Washington Commanders wanted to take every possible precaution to minimize the risk of further damage.
All eyes were on Daniels' mobility. He's a pocket passer first, but the Cajon High School graduate relies heavily on his escapability and athleticism to become a legitimate dual-threat force.
Again, there was a sense of nervousness among the fan base. They had nothing to worry about, with Daniels showcasing elusiveness and explosiveness when tasked with getting out on the move.
There was no panic. Daniels was treating this game like any other. His preference to slide was a little quicker than usual, but that's to be expected, to nurse his way through the sprained knee that kept him out for two games.
The fact that Kliff Kingsbury was still calling some designed runs for Daniels was the most considerable confidence boost of all. The No. 2 pick in 2024 eventually finished with 39 rushing yards from eight carries. Not jaw-dropping, but it kept the Chargers' defense on their toes.
That was the most important thing of all.
Jayden Daniels' first-half showed signs of life
As previously mentioned, it took Jayden Daniels a couple of drives to find his feet. But when the light came on later in the first half, the Commanders' offense inevitably took flight.
Daniels has trust in his playmakers. Whether it's veteran Deebo Samuel Sr. working the short to intermediate areas of the field, Jaylin Lane coming over the middle, or Luke McCaffrey going deep, the quarterback gave his guys a chance to make plays. They duly obliged, which resulted in the Commanders going into the break all square.
This is why Daniels is such a difference-maker. He takes calculated risks, and he can deliver explosive plays in critical moments. And the confidence oozed from him as the half progressed.
- 46.15 percent completion
- 122 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack against
- 8 rushing yards
- 79.6 passer rating (ESPN)
The stats weren't exactly world-beating, but most of this good work came as the half was concluding. Washington was in a good spot following a lackluster start. If the dependable veteran Marcus Mariota were under center, that wouldn't have been the case.
Every player knows that they are never out of the fight with Daniels leading the charge. And he is always a play or two from completely shifting the momentum.