The Washington Commanders Outrun the Boat Racers, Berate the League’s Heaviest Hitters
The Commanders’ defense forced five turnovers, including four interceptions, two by Sainristil, a pick-six, and a pivotal early sack-fumble, as they outran the Lions and their top offense in prime time. Jayden Daniels led a big-play offense that generated 481 yards, punting only once and leading five TD drives.
The Commanders’ victory was marked by impressive performances from their quarterback and defense. Daniels went 22-of-31 passing for 299 yards with two TD passes and added a career-high 16 carries for 51 yards, finishing with a 122.9 passer rating and taking zero sacks. He was unstoppable on Saturday night, making the correct read, avoiding pressure, and dropping big plays when needed.
The rookie quarterback thwarted the Lions’ attempts to get back in the game, showing a poise and competitiveness that belies his age. He is just the second rookie QB to defeat a No. 1 seed in the playoffs, joining Baltimore’s Joe Flacco.
Quinn has praised Daniels for his rare competitiveness, saying, “He just has a different poise about him than most, and he’s a rare competitor… He wants the ball in his hands to make the difference, and he makes great decisions with the football. That takes real mindfulness.”
The Commanders’ victory has set them up for a fairy tale run, and their locker room is confident in their ability to achieve their goals. As Sainristil said, “We see ourselves as a very tough team. A team that we control our destiny.” With Daniels at the helm, it’s not hard to see why they believe they can go all the way.