Winner No. 2
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
Jayden Daniels is a phenom. The Washington Commanders are riding a tidal wave of momentum and unrivaled positivity with the rookie quarterback under center. His poise and composure in the highest stakes continue to amaze.
No moment shakes Daniels. His demeanor stays the same no matter the environment. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft delivers through a unique blend of composure, aggressiveness, and savviness beyond his years. He's woken a sleeping giant and has the Commanders one more win away from the Super Bowl.
Daniels walked into Ford Field like it was a game of 7-on-7 in the park. He dictated the tempo, took calculated risks when needed, and relied on his escapability to avoid pressure when defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn began sending blitzes almost constantly. Some of the throws on key down and distances were astonishing.
The former LSU standout's legend continues to grow. Daniels is an assassin — a cold-blooded killer who displays nerves of steel on every down. Teammates rallied behind him quickly and he rewarded them with elite-level production that fans scarcely believed was possible.
Washington is in good hands with Daniels. But as he stated after the game, the job is not finished just yet.
Winner No. 3
Commanders secondary
Stopping the high-octane Detroit Lions' passing game from gaining yards was impossible. The Commanders almost conceded that before the game. This was all about taking advantage of opportunities when they arose.
It was a successful mission in that regard. The secondary was opportunistic en route to a memorable triumph. They didn't have things all their way, but four takeaways were better than even the brightest optimist envisaged beforehand.
Quan Martin's pick-six turned the tide, giving the Commanders a lead they would never relinquish. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil helped himself to two interceptions as his exceptional first season in the pros gained more steam. Standout safety Jeremy Chinn put the exclamation point on proceedings with a pick on the Lions' final offensive play.
The influence of Marshon Lattimore cannot be overstated, either.
He returned to something like his old self after struggling at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The four-time Pro Bwler locked down his side of the field, having just one target thrown in his direction for zero yards allowed. Lattimore was also a dominant presence against the run in the second half. This was exactly why the Commanders acquired the Ohio State product via trade from the New Orleans Saints.
Washington's secondary gave up 336 passing yards as the Lions chased the contest. But when the time came to step up and make a play, they delivered.