The Hail Mary touchdown that Jayden Daniels tossed in October to win just his eighth career game may be the most famous play he makes for the remainder of his NFL career.
However, Daniels’ incredible, game-winning score to defeat the Chicago Bears wasn’t his only pivotal moment during his first campaign. The Washington Commanders are making their first postseason appearance since 2020 because to his talent for heroics in the closing minutes of games.
Daniels led the Commanders to another victory on Sunday, this time against the Atlanta Falcons, one week after directing a 10-point rally in the second half to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles.
Following a 10-point lead in the second quarter and a missed field goal that could have won the game at the end of regulation, the Falcons, led by their own rookie quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., emerged victorious.
To win 30-24 and secure a spot in the wild card playoffs, Daniels tossed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz in overtime.
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner for best college football player, was selected second overall in the NFL draft last spring. As the face of a team going through a transformation with a new owner appointing a new head coach, he came to Washington with high hopes.
According to NFL research, he has not only shown himself capable of boosting his numbers on Sunday, but he also broke Robert Griffin III’s previous record of 815 rushing yards by a rookie quarterback. He also consistently performs well when it counts most.
In Washington’s stadium, MVP chants could be heard during Sunday’s overtime, when Daniels hit Ertz for the game-winning, playoff-clinching score.
It’s unknown if Daniels will play in the regular-season finale or take a break as Washington is now 11-5 with one game left but has a sure postseason berth.
He leads Washington in both passing and rushing yards this season. If he wins both categories, it would be the first time the team’s quarterback has also been its leading rusher since 1935, when the team played in Boston in just its fourth year of existence.
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