Jayden Daniels' first half
Jayden Daniels kept things ticking over in the first half. He did lose a fumble, but otherwise it was pretty good. Unfortunately for the Washington Commanders, several missed opportunities left them with only a four-point cushion going into the break.
That would later come back to haunt them, and even Daniels couldn't help.
Daniels was poised over the opening two quarters. He had some throws he would like to take back, but the dynamic signal-caller moved through his progressions quickly and worked well in the schematic structure.
The former Arizona State star held his ground in the pocket when pressure inevitably arrived. It's not easy to stand in the pocket when the likes of Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett are flying at you, but Daniels kept his eyes downfield and the ball out of harm's way.
This was reflected in Daniels' first-half stats. Solid, if unspectacular, numbers, but the passer rating fairly reflected how he was playing.
- 72.73 percent completion
- 115 passing yards
- 1 touchdown
- 0 interceptions
- 1 sack against
- 8 rushing yards (1 fumble lost) 1
- 36.6 passer rating (ESPN)
This was a positive step, and the Commanders had a lead to protect in the second half. But the tide turned quickly after that.
Jayden Daniels was almost trying too hard under pressure
This might sound strange, but when the Los Angeles Rams adjusted effectively to put considerable pressure on Jayden Daniels, he started trying to force the issue more.
He was not relaxed as the offensive line crumbled. The Rams identified what needed to change at the half, and they turned their stars loose. Washington had no real answer, which forced Daniels to play the hero as pressure arrived almost constantly.
No team will contain the Rams' dominant defensive front for an entire game. They have way too much talent for that, and even though it was only his first game back from a lengthy absence, All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett flipped the game on its head with three sacks.
Daniels wasn't letting the game come to him anymore. He was more eager to do it alone and make things happen quickly. This was a mix of energy and nervousness, because he knew that the Rams were coming for him.
And when sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin replaced starting center Lucas Patrick due to a concussion, things unraveled quickly.
This is an ongoing problem. It speaks to the team's failure to build a wall in front of Daniels, and his shift in approach in the second half suggests a lack of confidence in his protection.
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