Jayden Daniels' electrifying first half
If Jayden Daniels wanted to make a statement right out of the gate, he achieved this objective and then some. The quarterback was nothing short of electrifying in the first half as the Washington Commanders put up an astonishing 31 points en route to a 10-point lead at the interval.
Daniels took his shots downfield when they arrived. He used his mobility exceptionally well and made smart decisions more often than not. Aaron Glenn's vaunted yet under-strength Detroit Lions defense had no answer.
The dynamic signal-caller was having fun. He played with a smile on his face and kept everybody relaxed. Even without stud right guard Sam Cosmi in the lineup, Daniels didn't skip a beat.
This was as an accomplished first half as you're likely to see from any quarterback, let alone one who's still in Year 1 of his professional career. It was reflected in some jaw-dropping statistics over the opening two quarters.
- 66.66 percent completion
- 242 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
- 0 sacks against
- 29 rushing yards (8 carries)
- 137.4 passer rating (ESPN)
Washington's defense had its moments, most notably the pick-six from Quan Martin. But Daniels' ability to conduct an explosive, efficient offense led by Kliff Kingsbury's superb schematic concepts plowed the road and gave the Commanders a fighting chance.
Jayden Daniels' calculated risks
It didn't take long to figure out that this playoff clash between two offensive titans was going to be a shootout. Jayden Daniels realized it too, taking calculated risks when the situation dictated to ensure the Commanders more than kept pace with the Lions.
Daniels' arm strength often goes unnoticed compared to his other strengths. But make no mistake, he's got a cannon and he doesn't mind using it.
More importantly, Daniels is accurate. He almost always had the right velocity and distance on his deep throws. He makes things easy for his wide receivers and, in worst cases, gives them a chance to go up and make a play.
Again, this comes down to Daniels' savviness beyond his years. He doesn't just air it out downfield for the sake of it. He processes information extremely well before making a rapid judgment call. It's a special gift that's only going to get better with more experience and some upgrades to the supporting cast.
Daniels is a one-man highlight reel waiting to happen. His mechanics are a sight to behold and there was no tightness with the primetime spotlight glaring. If there were any doubts about the player's credentials before this one, even his harshest critics should have crystal clear clarity now.