Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels shared a light-hearted moment with NFL legend Tom Brady during his post-game interview, and their wholesome exchange quickly went viral.
Jayden Daniels Asks Tom Brady What ‘LFG’ Means
Daniels powered the Commanders’ offense during a playoff game that could only be described as a shootout. The rookie quarterback helped Washington put 45 points on the board, racking up 299 passing yards and two touchdowns with 51 rushing yards.
After helping the Commanders reach their first NFC Championship Game in 23 years, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner was in great spirits.
Brady praised Daniels’ performance and announced him as the “LFG Player of the Game,” which is given out by Brady to the one player who really gets his competitive juices activated.
“I want to ask you what LFG stands for,” Daniels said.
“It’s inappropriate. It’s a family-friendly program,” replied a bemused Brady, as it stands for “let’s f***ing go.”
WHOLESOME: #Commanders QB Jayden Daniels was Tom Brady’s “LFG PLAYER OF THE GAME” this week.
“I want to ask you what LFG stands for?” – Jayden
“It’s inappropriate. It’s a family-friendly program.” – TB12
A rookie, winning playoffs games, and with the 🐐pic.twitter.com/rtFyC1VmCr
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) January 19, 2025
Daniels then gave viewers the full picture of how his preparation leading up to the game was pivotal in helping him show out. He also praised offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and the Commanders’ offensive coaching staff for putting him in favorable positions.
How Did the Commanders Upset the Lions?
The turnover battle was the major difference between the Commanders and the Lions. Jared Goff threw three extremely costly interceptions, including a pick-six. He also turned the ball over on a fumble early on.
Daniels, meanwhile, had an essentially error-free showing, with no sacks or interceptions.
The first half of the game was largely an offensive exhibition. Goff and running back Jahmyr Gibbs were in great form during their first few drives. Gibbs was a menace to the Commanders’ rush defense, as his speed helped him create many chunk plays.
However, the Lions lost a fumble in the red zone during their third offensive possession, and Goff’s pick-six came about with about six minutes left in the first half. He threw another interception during their two-minute drill, which dashed Detroit’s hopes of drawing within one score.
Both defenses improved in the second half, but the 10-point deficit forced offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the Lions’ offensive coaching staff to make risky decisions. A trick play that ended with wide receiver Jameson Williams throwing an interception proved to be the final nail in their coffin.
Eagles vs. Commanders Game Preview
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Jan. 26, Sunday
- Channel: Fox/Fox Deportes
With one more win, Daniels can become the first rookie quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. Daniels will be the sixth rookie QB to start in the Conference Championship Round; the prior five went 0-5 and performed disastrously.
Including the playoffs, Daniels ranks first in EPA per dropback when blitzed (0.36). While still effective against standard pass rushes, his EPA per dropback drops to 0.10 (13th) in those situations.
During this playoff run, Daniels became the first rookie QB in NFL history to record 275 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in a playoff win, the first rookie to beat a No. 1 seed since Joe Flacco in 2008, and the third rookie QB to win two road playoff games (joining Flacco and Mark Sanchez).
Now, Daniels will face an Eagles defense that blitzes at the second-lowest rate of any team this season, including playoffs. During their two regular-season matchups, Daniels punished the Eagles’ blitz, producing an incredible 1.03 EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback and 14.5 yards per attempt when blitzed.
Philadelphia only blitzed him on 14 of his 84 dropbacks (17%) in those games. Against their non-blitz pass rush, Daniels was far less effective, averaging a modest -0.02 EPA per dropback.
Saquon Barkley had significant success against Washington. In their two matchups, Barkley rushed for 451 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.
However, the Commanders found a way to limit Barkley in Week 16 after Jalen Hurts left the game in the first quarter, forcing Kenny Pickett to step in. Over the final three quarters, Barkley managed just 41 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Before Hurts’ injury, Barkley had been averaging over 7.7 yards per carry against Washington.
If Hurts is limited by his left leg injury, the Commanders could focus on loading up against Barkley to contain the Eagles’ rushing attack. By committing additional resources to stop Barkley, they might aim to force Hurts to rely more on his passing game, testing his mobility and effectiveness with the injury.
The Eagles have leaned heavily on Barkley and Hurts’ rushing abilities to generate offense in the playoffs. Through two games, 70.9% of their total yards have come on the ground.
The Commanders will play in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. Only the Browns, who last appeared in a Conference Championship Game in 1989, endured a longer drought.
Washington went 4-13 (.235) last year, marking the fourth-worst win percentage in the season prior to making a Conference Championship appearance, trailing only the 2017 Jaguars (0.188), 2006 Saints (0.188), and 1967 Oilers (0.214).
The Eagles lost two games in September and have lost one game since — at Washington in Week 16 after Hurts exited early with a concussion. In that loss, Philadelphia became the first team to score 21 points in the first quarter in a losing effort since the 2019 Texans (during the Divisional Round on the road against the Chiefs).
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Eagles a 61.8% chance of winning this game while the Commanders have 38.2% odds.
