Jayden Daniels is fighting against the tide this season. The Washington Commanders are struggling for form and have been decimated by injuries once again, and these problems were too much to overcome against the Los Angeles Rams.
The Commanders could have won this game. Had they executed more efficiently in key moments or managed situations effectively, the result may have been different. But not for the first time this season, head coach Dan Quinn's squad shot themselves in the foot way too many times.
Now, the Commanders are 2-5-1. They have a short week before traveling to the New York Giants for Thursday Night Football. If they lose and fall four games behind the G-Men, any hopes of a turnaround will be all but over.
This isn't how Daniels thought his third NFL season would go. The quarterback is trying valiantly, but the supporting cast is nowhere near the required standard. And offensive coordinator David Blough's inability to adjust to in-game scenarios is also coming under the microscope.
A massive effort will be needed to turn the tide from here. Before then, here are six major observations from Daniels' performance against the Rams.
Major observations from Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' performance against the Rams
Jayden Daniels' early rhythm
There was a lot to like about the way Jayden Daniels got into an early groove. That wasn't ever going to be easy behind this offensive line and without top playmakers like Terry McLaurin and Treylon Burks, but the signal-caller set it upon himself to set an early tone.
Daniels was picking his spots. He was taking what the defense gave him, and he looked decisive in key moments. The scripted plays often seem to sit well with him. After that, things get a little more complicated.
Still, it was nice to see Daniels standing up to the vaunted Rams defensive front, even if others didn't as the game wore on.
Jayden Daniels spread the wealth
Without a top-tier receiver to lean on, Jayden Daniels had to take a committee approach to moving the chains through the air. The Commanders had no choice, but most of his options stepped up.
Van Jefferson Jr. and tight end Chig Okonkwo seemed to enjoy it most. Daniels' connections to Stefon Diggs and third-round rookie Antonio Williams weren't as prominent, which was confusing. The Commanders also went away from the short game to Rachaad White despite it working so well earlier in the contest.
Even with the deck stacked against him, Daniels' distribution was enough for the Commanders to stay in the game. But they just couldn't come through when it mattered most.
Add us as a preferred source on Google