ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders head to New Jersey this weekend for their second showdown with the New York Giants this season. The Commanders are in the driver’s seat in the NFC East at 6-2.
A lot of that success has to do with the clutch play of their quarterback, six-time Pepsi NFL Rookie of the week, Jayden Daniels. The QB is closing in on 2,000 yards passing on the season ahead of this week nine matchup. He threw for over 300 yards in a game for the first time in his career Sunday against the Bears while dealing with a rib injury; an injury he’s still dealing with.
"I'm still intact. I feel good," Daniels said Wednesday. "Just taking it day by day."
Head coach Dan Quinn said he can't underestimate the impact Daniels' positive attitude has had on his lockeroom.
“If you've been playing a lot in the NFL and every team, there's stuff that guys battle through that maybe no one else knows about," Quinn said. "The locker room knows and when you demonstrate that kind of toughness to your teammates of ‘I’ll be there,' those are impactful moments knowing that they’ll just battle for one another. That was his way of demonstrating that."
Through eight games, Quinn said Daniels has also demonstrated something that can’t be coached.
“In the moments, some of the winning time moments, is where he’s really strong," the coach said. "Some people can feel tight into those spots. I think, quite honestly, he really energizes up for that spot. I felt that seven weeks ago when we played the Giants in a close game. Here’s the last drive to go and he had that smile about him like, ‘alright, this is time.’”
Daniels was quick to put the emphasis back on his teammates.
“I'll just say it's kind of just the trust and not myself, but also my teammates, to go out there and make tough plays," Daniels said. "That's what we pride ourselves on. That's how you build comradery, build that brotherhood. You got to trust each other to go out there and make plays."