Jayden Daniels may have wrapped up the Rookie of the Year race.
The Washington Commanders quarterback led a game-wining drive with six seconds left to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33, adding to a historic rookie season.
GettyThe second overall pick in the draft is having a rookie season for the ages[/caption]
Down by five, with less than two minutes to go, Daniels led a nine-play 57-yard drive for the win.
He hit wide receiver Jamison Crowder on a nine-yard bullet in the end zone to put Washington up front, and then were able to tack on the two-point conversion, for a thrilling victory.
Daniels is the first rookie quarterback to throw five touchdown passes in a game and the sixth in NFL history.
That’s not the only history that Daniels was making.
His four passing touchdowns in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter/OT is the most by any player in a season since the merger.
Forget just rookies.
Most by any player in a season since the merger.
It is a season for the ages in Landover, Maryland.
And for a franchise that’s been starving for competent quarterback play, Daniels is feasting.
Daniels has been more than just competent, he’s been sensational.
The Commanders moved to 10-5, all but securing a postseason berth, with over a 90% chance to make the playoffs with two weeks remaining.
They haven’t made the postseason since 2020, and haven’t won a playoff game since 2005.
Nearly two decades.
Daniels is looking to end Washington’s futile streak.
At 10-5, they are off to their best start since the 1992 season.
They are two games behind the Eagles in the NFC East, who are now at 12-3, with two games to go, but look to be in good shape to at least secure a wildcard spot.
The star rookie quarterback is in a battle with fellow rookie quarterback, Bo Nix, for Offensive Rookie of the Year, but after today, Daniels may have ended that debate.
‘He’s the rookie of the year, no doubt,’ one fan posted on X.
Another fan took it another step further, posting, ‘Jayden Daniels with ice in his veins! Game-winning TD with 6 seconds left to beat the Eagles. This rookie is a lock for ROY—he’s got Mahomes-level magic!’
If people are starting to compare you to Mahomes, then you’re doing something right.
Daniels and the Commanders host the Falcons next week, before traveling to Dallas to play the Cowboys in their regular season finale.
For the first time in forever, Daniels has the Commanders on the precipice of something really special, and he might just be taking home some hardware in the process.