Jayden Daniels has taken the NFL by storm through the first half of 2024. The Washington Commanders are flying high thanks in no small part to his exceptional production under center. Something special is happening and fans are embracing it fully. The No. 2 overall selection in the draft is a big reason why.
Daniels has more momentum than anyone dreamed at this stage of his professional journey. Keeping it up heading into the business end of the campaign is the next challenge. This all started by taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial Week 10 matchup.
The Steelers are well-versed in how to restrict quarterbacks with Daniels' skill set. They have come up against and done well against two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson during their divisional showdowns with the Baltimore Ravens. They were hoping for similar accomplishments in the face of another potential rookie superstar at Northwest Stadium.
As it turned out, a game that went back and forth didn't go Washington's way. Daniels was given a tough time of things, but he gave it everything before coming up agonizingly short.
With this in mind, here are five major observations from Daniels' performance against a vaunted Steelers defense in Week 10.
Major observations from Jayden Daniels' performance in Week 10
Jayden Daniels under duress
It didn't take long to figure out that this was going to be a tricky afternoon at the office for Jayden Daniels. The Pittsburgh Steelers swarmed the signal-caller from the first snap. Their strategy wasn't like anything he's experienced since entering the league.
Daniels is a cool customer who thrives under pressure. He kept his cool despite the Steelers blitzing him from all angles. Head coach Mike Tomlin used almost the same game plan he deployed to counteract the supreme threat Lamar Jackson brought to the table. This meant processing needed to be rapid and the decisions made quickly in pursuit of moving the chains.
Things weren't perfect. There was some hesitancy when Daniels came under duress, but he didn't look flustered at any stage. If anything, the former LSU star rose to the challenge with his customary determination.
It was only slight. But this is another sign that the Commanders have the right man under center to lead their renaissance.
Jayden Daniels' grew in stature
Jayden Daniels got a rude awakening early in the game at Northwest Stadium. Fortunately for the signal-caller and the Washington Commanders, he shook it off and grew in stature as the contest progressed.
Things started clicking effectively at the end of the first half - it was mostly one-way traffic before that despite the Washington Commanders taking advantage of a fake punt. Daniels led a momentum-swinging drive that finally got him into a rhythm. There was a heavy reliance on a rushing attack led by veteran free-agent signing Austin Ekeler. This created a little extra space, which is all the Heisman Trophy winner needed.
This crispness was evident early in the second half, so this surge forward wasn't just a flash in the pan. Daniels adapted incredibly well versus an outstanding defense. He was asked a lot of questions. He had the right answers more often than not.
It was a physical battle with no half-measures given for either club. Daniels responded well to his initial struggles. That was all the Commanders wanted from their signal-caller to give them a fighting chance.
Jayden Daniels' primary connection came to life
Big games call for big players. There is nobody more important than Jayden Daniels, but Pro Bowl wide receiver Terry McLaurin comes pretty close. This connection was going to be integral to Washington's hopes of claiming another notable scalp on home soil.
The Commanders needed this chemistry between Daniels and McLaurin to go up a notch in this one. He wasn't short of motivation after being challenged by Steelers' cornerback Joey Porter Jr. in the build-up. It's a test he answered emphatically en route to an exceptional afternoon.
.@TheTerry_25 🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞🛞
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 10, 2024
📺 #PITvsWAS CBS pic.twitter.com/qT8R4c8sYq
Daniels' understanding of where McLaurin wants the ball and when to deliver it is coming on encouragingly. The former third-round pick out of Ohio State is relishing the opportunity to work with a genuine franchise quarterback for the first time in his pro career. This blossoming relationship can provide the catalyst behind renewed hope in D.C.
McLaurin eventually finished the game with five receptions from six targets for 113 receiving yards. This would have been even better had some pass interference infringements not taken off chunk-play opportunities. The wideout deserves credit, but Daniels putting him in positions to thrive is something that cannot be overlooked.
Jayden Daniels was let down
In a game such as this, no one player can do it alone. Jayden Daniels probably wanted to have some throws back, but the Washington Commanders quarterback wasn't aided by some costly mistakes from his primary playmakers aside from wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
It was almost a comedy of errors in key moments. Dyami Brown dropped a lay-up touchdown. Olamide Zaccheaus capped off a miserable afternoon with a costly error when a big gain was right in front of him across the middle. The same applied to the normally dependable veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who also fluffed his chance with a first down there for the taking.
This was unacceptable. Had it not been for McLaurin and Noah Brown's ability to make plays, things would have been far worse. And yet, the Commanders were in with a chance of winning the game late.
These mental mistakes might go unnoticed against the teams Washington is now expected to beat. That's not the case with contending clubs. Daniels was putting it into the right spots, but he was let down too many times.
Jayden Daniels fell just short
It looked like Jayden Daniels was on course to lead another game-winning drive. The quarterback didn't have it easy, which followed the contest's overall trend. But he made some critical throws to give the Commanders a fighting chance.
This was a game of inches, literally. Daniels threw a strike to veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who looked like he had the first down on a 4th-and-long before turning back on himself to see the call go against him. The signal-caller did his part, but it wasn't enough.
It typified the close-fought game between the two and how things unfolded for Daniels. This was the first game where he needed more help than usual. It didn't arrive.
Daniels did relatively well in difficult circumstances. This was the best defense he'd faced since entering the league. There were no heroics this time.
There is no time for the Commanders to wallow in self-pity. They have a short turnaround before a crucial divisional clash with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Daniels and his teammates must bounce back accordingly.