Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a stunning 36-33 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16. The rookie quarterback threw two interceptions but was able to bounce back and lead a game-winning touchdown drive to get the big win against the Commanders’ division rivals.
Daniels finished with 258 passing yards and five touchdowns, completing 61.5% of his throws. He also rushed for 81 yards on nine carries and was praised on social media for how he played against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Reactions to Jayden Daniels Leading Commanders To Win vs. Eagles
Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, has had a stellar rookie season. He is the heavy favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and the performance against the Eagles today proved why he is being touted as the next great quarterback in the NFL.
Here are some of the reactions to Daniels leading the Commanders to a statement-setting win against the Eagles:
Jayden Daniels is HIM.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 22, 2024
The future is so bright with Jayden Daniels,” said one fan.
Another fan added, “Jayden Daniels is a f***ng superstar. That game was good.”
Jayden Daniels against the Eagles 1st ranked defense today:
339 TOT YDS
5 TDS
2 INTS
99 RTGFranchise QB and easily the best rookie QB this season. What a performance. pic.twitter.com/s8V9m9bO1L
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) December 22, 2024
“Chicago Bears took the wrong QB. Should’ve been Jayden Daniels,” wrote a fan.
Another fan said, “Jayden Daniels plays like a seasoned VET. He is definitely the Rookie quarterback of the year. ”
Kid should have been the top pick wow https://t.co/IkvpTE38O9
— S (@S1class_) December 22, 2024
The Eagles were without Jalen Hurts for the majority of the game as the star quarterback was ruled out due to a concussion. However, even without him, Philadelphia’s offense managed to score 33 points.
This game was all about Daniels’ brilliance as he carved up the Eagles’ defense, which has been dominant throughout the year. The LSU product snapped the Eagles’ 10-game winning streak, and his team took a big step toward making the postseason.
In 15 games this year, Daniels has thrown for 3,303 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, completing 69.7% of his throws with a passer rating of 101.3. He has also rushed for 737 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
The Commanders Will Be a Legitimate Threat Next Season
Heading into the draft, the Commanders quarterback was seen as a tier below Caleb Williams. Various people questioned whether, at his size, Daniels would be able to stay healthy and make dynamic plays like he did at LSU. The 24-year-old quarterback has silenced all his critics and is now getting rightly praised.
Not many expected the NFC East team to be this good with a rookie quarterback and Dan Quinn in his first year as their head coach, yet they have had a successful season.
Per Spotrac, the Commanders are projected to have the third-most cap space next year ($101.3 million). Given how good their quarterback already is, the team will likely go all-in this upcoming offseason to build a Super Bowl-contending roster.
Getting a receiver in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft will be crucial for the Commanders as they have to surround Daniels with more elite players. The new Commanders ownership has done a great job since taking over from Dan Snyder, and if they play their cards right in the offseason, Daniels’ team will be a legitimate force to be reckoned with.