Commanders key numbers, Week 4: Jayden Daniels spearheads stunning triumph

Could you sense it? The smile that came across Kliff Kingsbury's face throughout the game. Jayden Daniels jumped up and down in excitement late in the fourth quarter. It's a new day for the Washington Commanders, and there was no better setting than Arizona for both player and offensive coordinator to show how far they've come.

Less than two years ago, Kingsbury was unceremoniously fired from the Cardinals less than 12 months after signing an extension. Daniels left Arizona State and entered the college transfer protocol, eventually landing at LSU. A now infamous video was released on social media shortly after he departed from the Sun Devils where some of his teammates were going through his stuff and saying he "sucked" was quick to surface.

Wonder where they are now?

After the 42-14 thrashing of Arizona, both Kingsbury and Daniels left no doubt that both the Cardinals and Sun Devils, respectively, missed the boat. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn knew how much this game meant to his offensive coordinator, awarding him the game ball after another memorable triumph.

Washington's offense is setting a historic pace across the NFL with their play. Kudos are also deserved for general manager Adam Peters and the front office, as many fans were disappointed by the lack of offensive weapons added this offseason.

It sure looks like Noah Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Jeremy McNichols have the potential to be difference-makers when given the opportunity. Lest not forget that many were upset with the Daniels selection over Drake Maye.

It sure looks like this front office and new ownership know what they're doing. After 20 years with Dan Snyder, the bar wasn't that high, but nobody expected this team to be 3-1, let alone of the top offenses in the league at this point in the season.

I guess the saying is true; that's why we play the game, boys and girls. Let's get into the key numbers from the Commanders' resounding win at the Cardinals in Week 4.

Key numbers from the Commanders' win at the Cardinals in Week 4

12,005: The Washington Commanders put up 42 points against the Cardinals, one week after scoring 38 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The last time in franchise history the team scored over 38 points in consecutive weeks was Week 11 and 12 in 1991, which was 12,005 days ago.

And, let's not forget how that season ended. Super Bowl champions.

4: The Commanders' offense has been on a tear, finishing with 16 consecutive scoring drives, not including kneel-downs, before Daniels' interception in the second quarter. The team has four more scoring drives than incompletions through four games (23 vs. 19). Tress Way has had more free time on his hands, punting only 4 times.

At this point last season, Way had already punted 17 times.

82.1: Daniels' quarterback efficiency is amongst the highest in the league. Not only is he leading the NFL with an 82.1 percent completion success, but he has the fourth-best passer rating in the league.

Per Washington Commanders' PR, his completion percentage through four games is the highest since Tom Brady's 79.2% average in 2007. It's not like all his completions are short passes either. Daniels went 7-for-9 on passes of 10-plus yards past the line of scrimmage, with one touchdown and one interception.

4.2: Olamide Zaccheaus had himself a game. He finished as the Commanders' leading receiver with six receptions for 85 receiving yards, the second-highest reception total of his career.

Not only was Zaccheaus the only wideout with a 100 percent catch percentage in Week 4, but his 4.2 yards of separation was the fourth-highest in the NFL in Week 4. He was a key target for Daniels on third down, with three of his six receptions going for third-down conversions.

8.5: Jeremy McNichols optimizes the term, journeyman running back, having spent time on 10 different NFL rosters throughout his career. He impressed Peters in San Francisco, as the Commanders signed him this offseason.

Having to step in since Austin Ekeler was missing the game with a concussion, McNichols had eight carries for 68 yards (8.5 yds/attempt) and two touchdowns, including a toe-tapping 27-yarder.

After having a key block on the game-winning throw against the Bengals, McNichols once again played a big part in the Commanders' victory at the Cardinals.

51: After letting the Bengals score on every drive, outside of a missed field goal, the Commanders kept the Cardinals in check after the game's initial exchanges. After opening the contest with a nine-play, 55-yard touchdown series, the Commander's defense didn't allow Arizona to score again until 11 seconds were remaining in the third quarter.

The defense held the Cardinals to five straight scoreless drives, including a trio of three-and-outs and a turnover on downs. On those five drives, Arizona had 51 total yards of offense on 25 plays for an abysmal 2.04 yards per play.

After the Cardinals' initial scoring drive, the Commanders held Marvin Harrison Jr. in check, with the receiver only getting three receptions for 34 receiving yards. The team also finished with four sacks, showing that all the pieces might be coming together. Something Washington fans haven't experienced in quite some time.

The Commanders won't leave the state of Maryland for the next month, with three home games and a road clash with the Baltimore Ravens. With a 3-1 record and one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL, Washington might finally have something they have lacked over a decade.

A home field advantage.

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