Jayden Daniels late urgency
The Washington Commanders were still in the game late. That was a testament to their improved defense more than anything else, but as the Philadelphia Eagles' defense tired in the humid conditions, it gave Jayden Daniels added urgency in the closing stages.
When the Commanders ran the up-tempo offense, they got a lot more joy. It allowed Daniels to get into a groove, and the timing with his pass-catcher became more consistent down the stretch.
Was it perfect? Of course not, but it showed how things might look once everyone gets a little more on the same page.
Daniels was on point with third-round rookie Antonio Williams and four-time Pro Bowl wideout Stefon Diggs. After an anonymous contest up until late in the fourth quarter, Terry McLaurin also got involved with a couple of key catches.
More importantly, it looked as if Daniels had his swagger back. This was arguably the biggest positive.
The Eagles' defense is ferocious, but it faded quickly late in the game. Nobody plays much in the preseason, and there were some tired bodies. Daniels had no trouble exploiting it, and hopefully, this is the start of things to come over Washington's remaining 16 games.
So near yet so far for Jayden Daniels
Unbelievably, the Commanders clawed their way back to within two points after Jayden Daniels found Antonio Williams for a touchdown. But they couldn't deliver when everything was on the line.
It was so near yet so far for Daniels. And there are no moral victories in the NFL.
This was also a tale of two halves for Daniels. A poor start gave way to a strong finish. Had the signal-caller and the entire offense been a little more consistent earlier in the contest, there is a good chance they'd have come away with a priceless victory against one of their bitter division rivals.
It wasn't to be, and the Commanders are now on the back foot before their crucial Week 2 trip to the Dallas Cowboys.
If Daniels plays in that game as he did in the fourth quarter, the Commanders have a shot. But they cannot afford to start poorly again. The Eagles didn't punish them enough, and they almost got found out down the stretch. Dallas' high-octane offense will not be as forgiving.
Still, it was nice to see Daniels come through an entire game unscathed. There were flashes of brilliance, so now it's about adding a little more consistency for a more well-rounded performance.
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