Jayden Daniels stole Monday Night Football, ripping victory out of the hands of Joe Burrow while outshining Josh Allen. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner put on a full display of his abilities and what made him the most appealing quarterback prospect in this year’s draft. Daniels guided the Washington Commanders to their second straight win, beating the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33.
Daniels showed off his feet with timely runs. He showed moxie as he stood tall, knowing he was getting creamed, facing zero coverage with the game hanging in the balance. And yet, he still pinpointed his pass where only his receiver could get it.
Terry McLaurin stretched for a ball that dropped perfectly for the game-sealing touchdown. The snag, the throw, stunned the home Cincinnati crowd watching their Bengals. As McLaurin slid, you could see the fire figuratively underneath the ball.
A star was born. Jayden Daniels was calm and collected throughout the night. He answered every call. He converted a fourth-and-2 on the Commanders’ first offensive drive while trailing 7-0 to avoid settling for a field goal. Daniels ripped a pass to his fellow rookie Luke McCarthy, who turned upfield for a 30-yard gain to set up Washington’s first touchdown.
How about Daniels dropping a 55-yard bomb in a bucket to McLaurin, beating Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and safety Geno Stone? Or Daniels walking in for a four-yard touchdown off a read-option that extended Washington’s lead to 21-10.
Daniels’s flip of the wrist to veteran offensive tackle Trent Scott was like a kiss of death for the Bengals crowd in Cincinnati. On the game-sealing drive, he stared at the barrel on fourth down, hitting Zach Ertz for a first down that ultimately set up the TD pass to McLaurin to put the game away.
For the second straight game, the Commanders did not punt, scoring on every offensive possession. Daniels also avoided a turnover for the third consecutive game.
Jayden Daniels overshadowed great games by Joe Burrow and Josh Allen
Jayden Daniels outplayed Joe Burrow, the 2020 No. 1 overall pick and former LSU Heisman Trophy winner. Burrow completed 29-of-38 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns.
Daniels completed 21-of-23 passes. His 91.3% was the highest single-game completion percentage by a rookie. Daniels also threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another.
Not only did Daniels outplay Burrow, but he stole the Monday Night Football headlines from Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who put on an otherwise MVP performance. Allen torched the Jacksonville Jaguars defense in the early MNF game for 263 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 44 yards en route to a 47-10 thrashing.
Allen would have been the top subject of the night in any other week. Instead, Daniels captivated the NFL world.
“That boy 5 so different!!!!,” Daniels’ teammate Jeremy Reaves tweeted after the game.
The praises poured out for Daniels
Reaves set off a flood of praises for Daniels:
Sports Illustrated Albert Breer played off the Commanders hosting quarterback prospects at Top Golf before the draft.
“Text from an NFC East executive: “Jayden really might be Him,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz shared.
Even Bengals wide receiver and former LSU star Ja’Marr Chase couldn’t deny how good Daniels looked.
“He’s a great f’ing player. I’m not gonna lie,” Chase proclaimed.
ESPN college and Thursday Night Football analyst Kirk Herbstreit called Daniels, the “real deal.”
“I’m a Bengals fan but damn…how good is Jayden Daniels as a rookie?!?? Not just the physical ability… but the composure and understanding of the scheme! Playing with ridiculous poise on the big stage on MNF on the road. Absolutely the REAL DEAL. Gotta tip your cap man. Also, great job by Kliff Kingsbury for being in sync with his boys-Impressive!!”
NFL Fox analyst Jay Glazer went back to the draft when the Commanders wouldn’t entertain trade offers for the No. 2 overall pick, they used on Daniels.
“Tonight, you saw why the @Commanders wouldn’t entertain any offers for that #2 pick for Jayden Daniels. Teams were willing to offer up a lot but Washington was locked in on him wayyyy before the draft.”
ESPN’s First Take analyst and Pro Football Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe called Daniels HIM.
“J. Daniels is Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. He’s the gospel. Played 1 helluva gm 2nite. Big throw after big throw. He’s H.I.M 🔥🔥🔥”
Three games don’t make a career. However, it’s hard to tame the excitement for Jayden Daniels after three impressive showings that included an upset primetime win. He was sensational Monday night. Some viewed the Commanders-Bengals matchup as a throwaway game in ESPN’s doubleheader. Instead, Daniels stole the night and left a lasting impression on the NFL.
