Jayden Daniels won’t catch Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or Saquon Barkley for the league MVP award. He probably won’t crack the top 5 among most voters. Anyone watching this time closely over the years and with insight into this roster and this season has a different view. Sunday night’s win explained the rationale.
The stands at Northwest Stadium were jammed with burgundy and gold fans, many of whom hibernated in recent seasons because of the dreck occurring on and off the field. Rooting for the soon-to-be Offensive Rookie of the Year reunited the locals with long-lost enthusiasm for the franchise.
Washington’s offense lacked playmakers beyond wide receiver McLaurin long before recent injuries removed key pieces for the rookie. Daniels hasn’t blinked. He rolls with whoever is available. Zaccheaus, a journeyman coming off a 10-catch season, has 13 and three touchdowns in the past two games.
Over the last three games, the offensive line labored to keep pass rushers away from their quarterback. Already playing without right tackle Andrew Wylie, Washington lost center Tyler Biadasz and Wylie’s replacement, Cornelius Lucas, with injuries. When the Falcons came rushing, Daniels went running with great success.
Sometimes, he took off anticipating unwanted visitors in the backfield. It’s not like he could rely on the running backs for yards, an unwanted trend without Austin Ekeler offering a change-up style to Robinson’s power. Rushing 16 yards on third-and-2 in overtime moved the chains and earned Daniels the first 100-yard rushing game of his career.
Six plays later, he rushed six yards to Atlanta’s 2-yard line, taking a big hit at the end. Daniels then found Ertz in the end zone, ensuring this improbable season heads to the playoffs.