5 major observations from Jayden Daniels' performance vs. the NY Giants
By Dean Jones
Jayden Daniels' under pressure
Jayden Daniels should have been expecting pressure coming into this one. The New York Giants' defensive front laid an egg in their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings, but they are far too talented to let this continue. That proved to be the case in Week 2.
Daniels was bombarded with exotic pressures and saw his pocket collapse frequently. The Commanders' protection didn't flounder throughout the clash, which was something. However, this was a different challenge for the young signal-caller versus stars with Pro Bowl and All-Pro caliber talent.
The most important thing for Daniels was to protect the football when hits inevitably arrived. This is something he accomplished effectively. He recognized where pressure was coming from well enough. But in some cases, there was no time whatsoever to react and escape it.
Daniels was eventually sacked five times for a loss of 16 yards. Although it's far from ideal, the fact there was such poise in difficult circumstances is a definite positive the gunslinger can take into some tricky-looking road challenges in the coming weeks.
Jayden Daniels in the clutch
The Commanders did just enough to provide Jayden Daniels with a chance to come through in the clutch. No moment was too big for the first-round pick in college. That was the case once again during his first taste of a game-defining moment in the pros.
Daniels looked composed, calm, and delivered the goods. There was a sensational throw to wide receiver Noah Brown for a big gain. He relied on the running game led by a sensational performance from Brian Robinson Jr. He also demonstrated his speed to turn off the edge to get the yards needed.
This left Austin Seibert with the chance to win the game. The new arrival demonstrated nerves of steel to confidently put over the walk-off field goal - his seventh of the contest - to seal a notable first victory of Dan Quinn's head coaching reign.
Daniels proved he's got the clutch gene that so many Commanders quarterbacks that preceded him lacked. And make no mistake, this is going to do his confidence an untold amount of good before facing the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.
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