ASHBURN, Va. — Jayden Daniels had quite the coming out party for his third-ever NFL game, and now the league is recognizing the young quarterback with NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The No. 2 overall draft pick threw for two touchdowns and ran for a score in a remarkably efficient performance, and the Commanders stunned Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 38-33 on Monday night.
“He's a real cool customer, and he's got a real poise about him,” Washington Coach Dan Quinn said of his quarterback.
Daniels finished 21 of 23 for 254 yards, setting an NFL rookie record for a completion percentage at 91.3%. The Commanders (2-1) scored on every possession except for kneel-downs at the end of each half and have not punted or turned the ball over in their last two games.
Daniels' first career touchdown pass was a one-yard toss to eligible tackle Trent Scott to start the second half, the second straight game in which the Bengals gave up a TD to a lineman.
“They were all discombobulated on defense,” Daniels said. “We got a sneaky one.”
The Commanders were clinging to a 31-26 lead when Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin from 27 yards out with 2:10 remaining for the game-sealing score.
“I put in the work,” said Daniels, last year's Heisman Trophy winner at LSU. “What's done in the dark will always come to light. I just know that I prepare for these moments week in and week out. I just have to go out there and play football and execute.”
That work has paid off. Daniels became the first player for the Washington franchise to earn NFC Player of the Week honors since running back Adrian Peterson did so in Week 8 of the 2018 season. He's the first quarterback to earn the honor since Kirk Cousins in 2017.
He joins Robert Griffin III and Gus Frerotte as the only rookie QBs in franchise history to secure the distinction.