The rookie quarterback plays far beyond his years, and his unique skills could help the Commanders pull off an upset in Detroit on Saturday.
There’s a strong case to be made that when a rookie quarterback leads his team to the playoffs, he’s no longer a rookie. By the postseason, opponents have studied a full season of game film, and the stakes are higher, creating a completely different level of competition.
For the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, this argument seems particularly valid. As the second pick in the 2024 draft, Daniels rarely resembled a rookie during the season. He completed 69.0% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and achieved a passer rating of 100.1, ranking 10th among starters. Adding 891 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 148 attempts, Daniels surpassed typical first-year expectations.
The Commanders’ offense converted eight of 15 third-down attempts and three of five fourth-down tries, with Daniels leading the charge.
“We wanted to be bold but not reckless,” said Commanders head coach Dan Quinn. “That’s been our approach all season. You just keep fighting, knowing it could come down to the very end.”
Confidence in Daniels’ ability to adapt and excel has even led a Hall of Fame quarterback to draw comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. Now, Daniels faces his biggest test against the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions. While Washington’s defense ranks average, the Lions’ high-powered offense presents a significant challenge. However, Detroit’s defensive tendencies might work in Daniels’ favor.
The Lions use man coverage on 44.9% of defensive snaps, the highest in the NFL. Against man coverage, Daniels has excelled, completing 75 of 134 passes for 987 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception, achieving a 98.7 passer rating. Detroit also blitzes at the league’s fifth-highest rate (36%), but Daniels has thrived under pressure, posting a 110.6 passer rating against blitzes.
Daniels’ mobility is another concern for Detroit, whose defense has struggled against rushing quarterbacks. The Lions have allowed 449 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and an average of 6.6 yards per carry against quarterback runs, ranking near the bottom of the league in multiple metrics.
In short, there’s no clear way to consistently stop Daniels, and Detroit must adjust its strategy to contain him.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell is aware of the challenge.
“He’s dangerous,” Campbell said. “He doesn’t play like a rookie. He’s composed, reads the field well, extends plays with his legs, and is a smart, dynamic runner. Plus, he’s supported by a strong O-line and playmakers. He’s a game-changer.”
Saturday’s matchup will test Daniels once again, and the Lions won’t treat him like a typical rookie. He has already proven he’s much more than that.
