SNIDER: Commanders and Jayden Daniels serve notice
The Washington Commanders just showed who they are: a high-powered offense led by the team’s best quarterback since Joe Theismann nearly 40 years ago. Unfortunately, they’re also an awful defense.
Brace for another roller coaster season of games that will either explode with joy or crushed by halftime.
Washington’s 38-33 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was the franchise’s most promising win in years. Jayden Daniels threw a touchdown to an offensive lineman nobody expected to see in the end zone, ran for one himself and was basically unstoppable for the second straight game.
And unless you're checking the back of a milk carton you haven't seen punter Tress Way because he hasn’t worked since Week 1.
Daniels needed only three games to prove he’s the truth, the passer Washington has looked for since 2012 when Robert Griffin III burst onto the scene. And, to be truthful, JD5 is better than RG3 – and the latter was the Offensive Rookie of the Year before a spate of injuries halted his career.
But the real unsung heroes of the Commanders’ 2-1 start with a strong chance of following with a victory at Arizona on Sunday is the offensive line. OK, the interior run game stinks, but the linemen gave Daniels plenty of time. He needs to use it to find open downfield receivers rather than run, but that will come. Daniels has plenty of upside remaining and the offensive line is protecting him.
Washington is finding its offensive rhythm and if it’s college football like some spoilsport loser claimed, then sign Commanders up for final exams. Washington has seen eight different opening-day quarterbacks and Daniels is finally the one that looks primed for long-term sustained success.
Franchises revolve around quarterbacks and less than 10 leaguewide have a decent one. The Chicago Bears are smacking their head over skipping Daniels. The New York Giants are smacking their heads over not trading for not offering heaven and earth – with no guarantee Adam Peters would even listen, let alone say yes – to grab the generational passer from Washington's clutches at No. 2.
Too much for someone who has played three games? OK, take your time before coming to the realization I did on the plains of Ashburn during offseason camps that Daniels is the one the team has yearned for years.
Think about a few recent first-round passers by Washington. Remember Heath Shuler, Dwayne Haskins and Patrick Ramsey? Now see the difference of how much better Daniels is in the first month than they ever were.
Washington did a good job surrounding the rookie with targets like Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, Noah Brown and Luke McCaffrey along with Terry McLaurin – yes, did you remember how good he can be? It just needed time to trade red zone field goals for touchdowns.
It’s too bad the defense couldn’t find similar talent because they look feckless at the best of times. If things haven't improved, trading either Daron Payne or Jon Allen by midseason for new pieces or future picks because that combination isn’t worth the salary cap cost.
The Commanders regularly penetrate backfields yet can’t generate sacks or sustained pressure. This secondary isn’t very good and letting passers like Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow get to eight Mississippi before throwing will lead to losses. And if he were anything less than perfect, Daniels would have been a hard-luck loser on Monday night.
It's a .500 season or so ahead. This is the season that leads to a playoff berth probably next year. But considering how soft the rest of the NFC East looks... who knows?
But the good ol’ days of Washingtonians coming together each week over the common ground of the football team is back. And, in a good way.
Finally, it’s time to smile.
