5 major observations from Jayden Daniels' performance vs. Cowboys in Week 12
By Dean Jones
Jayden Daniels' confidence
There didn't seem to be much confidence associated with Jayden Daniels in Week 12. Not from the player himself or the offensive scheme implemented by Kliff Kingsbury.
The signal-caller struggled to convert third downs effectively versus a Dallas Cowboys defense that managed to grow as the game progressed. Kingsbury refused to call many shots downfield, which only made things easier for the opposition. It was a comedy of errors from start to finish and the Commanders failed to live up to their favorite tag as a result.
This was incredibly disappointing. The composed, poise, and supremely confident aura Daniels brought over the first half of 2024 is fading quickly. The rib injury is reportedly not an issue, but the conservative play-calling and erratic distribution tell a different story.
Nobody is pressing the panic button just yet. This was always going to be a work in progress and there's been far more bad than good so far. However, the Commanders and Daniels are picking a bad time to fall apart with postseason football potentially slipping from their grasp.
Jayden Daniels' momentum is gone
He's not the only one at fault. But the sensational momentum Jayden Daniels built over the first half of 2024 is gone. The Commanders must find a way to get it back or their campaign will unravel.
Daniels doesn't have any answers right now. The offensive line is crumbling and the skill position players are nowhere near good enough. These problems were masked earlier in the season. That's not the case anymore thanks in no small part to the signal-caller's regression.
The Commanders have one more game to navigate before the bye week. They need to collectively find some answers, and quickly. This is the time of year when fine margins count more than ever. Washington is stuttering and Daniels cannot do it alone.
This was the most demoralizing result so far. The Commanders were expected to get right versus the Dallas Cowboys and Daniels was expected to hit the ground running once again. Neither happened, so it's back to the drawing board.
Daniels is down, but he's not out just yet.
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