Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a surprising 38-33 victory over the winless Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night at Paycor Stadium, a second straight victory for the Commanders.
CINCINNATI — As Washington backup safety and special teamer Jeremy Reaves exited the raucous visiting locker room, headphones covering his ears, he pointed in the direction of quarterback Jayden Daniels. He said only two words.
“He’s different”, Reaves said.
Defensive tackle Jon Allen was more direct.
“He is the answer”, Allen said.
Nobody in that locker room would disagree. Not after a night in which he completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-33 victory over the Bengals on “Monday Night Football.” Not after he delivered a game-clinching 27-yard touchdown pass to receiver Terry McLaurin while being crunched by a blitzing defender.
“I think he grew up tonight”, McLaurin said. “I’m so excited for him because now as a rookie, once you see those throws, you get more confidence. And I think his confidence is just going through the roof right now.”
Washington (2-1) has won two straight — and scored on 14 consecutive drives that didn’t end in a kneel down — heading into Sunday’s game at Arizona. The Commanders have received an early-season jolt because of Daniels’ play. In three games, he has completed 80.3% of his passes, averaging 6.2 air yards per attempt. He has thrown for 662 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
“He’s continuing to grow on the job”, Washington coach Dan Quinn said.
