MIAMI GARDENS, Fl. — For the second straight week Commanders rookie quarterback made the Burgundy and Gold faithful jump out of their seat, only this time it wasn’t after a big completion.
Daniels called his own number on a rush play and busted down the right sideline for a first down, only on the run, the rook decided not to slide or get out of bounds. It wasn’t a major collision, but it was still a quarterback getting tackled, and for Daniels that was his first real NFL contact.
He popped up just fine, nothing to worry about, but it was a big reminder for Commanders fans that Daniels is definitely a good runner and that will be a facet of the game plan all season.
When he wasn’t running, Daniels was throwing, and throwing it well.
For the game he completed 10 of 12 passes for 78 yards. Daniels led the Commanders offense on their first two drives and both ended with scoring chances for Washington. Kicker Riley Patterson missed a field goal attempt on the first drive but buried his second opportunity.
Throughout his preseason work Daniels has looked poised and prepared, particularly for a rookie, and in command of his new offense. The ball comes out quick and the decisions are sound.
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For example on Washington’s first drive, Daniels faced immediate pressure on a third down pass from the right edge. He quickly gathered himself and tossed it deep down the left sideline towards Terry McLaurin, throwing to a spot where only his wideout could make a play or the ball just goes out of bounds, which it did.
It was a heady play, and by not taking a sack the Commanders got a chance at a field goal. That field goal attempt was missed, and kicker seems like a major problem, but quarterback does not.
Other notes from Daniels’ two series in Miami:
- It’s undeniable that Dyami Brown has established himself as the Commanders second wideout. His chemistry with Daniels is clear and he was the leading pass catcher while Daniels was on the field. Brown also showed good vision on a quick WR screen in the first quarter. Terry McLaurin remains the alpha of the Washington WR room.
- Daniels missed a big gainer with a quick seam throw to John Bates. It was still a completion and picked up a first down, but a better throw could have been a 20-yard+ gain.
- For the second straight week, Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury dialed up a screen pass to running back Austin Ekeler. Last week, Daniels audibled out of that play and hit Brown for a big gain, which prompted some funny comments from head coach Dan Quinn. This week? Daniels ran the play and found Ekeler for four yards.
