Ja’Marr Chase didn’t mince words when asked his opinion of fellow LSU product Jayden Daniels after the Commanders beat the Bengals on Monday night.
“He’s a great effing player, I’m not going to lie.”
Daniels has been nothing but the effing truth in Washington’s last two games. With its rookie under center, Washington (2-1) has become the first NFL team this century to score on every possession over consecutive games, excluding kneeldowns. What’s more, the Commanders are the first team in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) to complete back-to-back games without a punt or turnover.
In Monday’s 38-33 win, Daniels was indescribable. His 91.3 completion percentage, in completing 21 of 23 attempts for 254 yards and two touchdowns, established the NFL’s single-game rookie record. Through three games and his first 76 NFL attempts, he still hasn’t thrown an interception.
Daniels seemed one step ahead of the Bengals all night, from the moment he threw his first career touchdown pass – to backup tackle Trent Scott. When Daniels wasn’t completing passes with pinpoint accuracy, such as the 55-yard strike to Terry McLaurin that set up the quarterback’s 4-yard touchdown run, Daniels was moving chains with his feet.
And after Chase caught his second touchdown, bringing Cincinnati within 31-26, Daniels answered. On his defining drive, he converted critical third and fourth downs, then saved his best for last. Clearly showing he has excellent chemistry with McLaurin, Daniels released a 27-yard touchdown pass with his receiver 18 yards from the goal line to silence cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt and the Paycor Stadium crowd.
Daniels and the Commanders are tied for first place entering their Week 4 trip to Arizona (1-2) on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, FOX).