LANDOVER, Md. – Referring to top NFL teams and players as “heavy hitters,” coach Dan Quinn recognized his rookie quarterback after an unexpected comeback victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

It was already evident that Jayden Daniels had the potential for such moments. His consistent performance at just 24 years old during his inaugural pro season is particularly impressive.

Quinn did not hold back in praising his quarterback’s achievement.

“Today,” Quinn stated post-game, “he became a heavy hitter. He really did.”

With only six seconds on the clock, Jayden Daniels threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Crowder, putting the Commanders ahead. Following a successful two-point conversion and a kickoff that posed no danger, Washington clinched the win, 36-33.

“I thrive in those high-pressure situations,” Daniels remarked. “It’s in those moments that you really need to make plays. If you love the sport, those end-game scenarios are what you live for; when it’s do or die, how do you respond?”

“I trust we can win right until the last second; the game isn’t over until the clock shows zero.”

Daniels surpassed Robert Griffin III’s record for total yards (both rushing and passing) by a rookie quarterback, amassing 4,040 yards. Additionally, he became the first rookie quarterback in the history of the Washington franchise to throw five touchdown passes in a single game, joining just five others in NFL history. He completed 24 of 39 passes for 258 yards but also had two interceptions.

After Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts exited with a concussion early in the game, the Commanders found themselves trailing 27-14 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Philadelphia’s impressive win streak, however, ended at ten games, leaving their NFC East title hopes on hold for at least another week.

“Adversity reveals the true character of a group,” wide receiver Terry McLaurin (five receptions for 60 yards) noted. He caught a 32-yard touchdown pass from Daniels in the second quarter. “That was a hard-fought victory for us. To be honest, it felt like a playoff game.”

Perhaps McLaurin was hinting at a possible playoff rematch in just three weeks.

The Commanders began the game poorly, suffering through a turnover on downs, a fumble, and a punt on their first three offensive plays. A crucial interception by linebacker Frankie Luvu against backup quarterback Kenny Pickett enabled the Commanders to advance into the red zone, where Daniels connected with Crowder for a 6-yard touchdown.

“Just an ordinary Sunday afternoon,” Quinn joked. “What a wild game it turned out to be.”

The Eagles built a 21-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Saquon Barkley sprinting for a spectacular 68-yard touchdown and accumulating 109 rushing yards with two touchdowns in the first 13 minutes. Throughout the week, Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. stressed the need to contain Barkley in the second half after his standout performance in their previous encounter on November 14.

“I might have overemphasized the importance of the second half,” Quinn laughed, “while we should have focused on starting strong.”

Brian Robinson Jr. struggled, fumbling twice and watching from the sidelines for much of the second half. Additionally, Daniels had two overthrown interceptions aimed at rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, with the second occurring when the Eagles led 30-28 with less than three minutes left in the game.

In a crucial moment, Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith dropped a key third-down pass in the red zone, which would have allowed Philadelphia to run out the clock. This error instead led Nick Sirianni to call for a field goal that extended the lead to 33-28, inadvertently paving the way for another thrilling Commanders comeback.

“I was grateful for the chance to correct my mistakes,” Daniels stated.

Earlier in the season, Washington had an improbable win over the Chicago Bears thanks to a Hail Mary and later faced disappointment against the Dallas Cowboys, allowing 41 points in the last five minutes of a 34-26 loss. Recently, the defense came through against the New Orleans Saints, halting a two-point conversion attempt to secure victory at the game’s end.

With the Atlanta Falcons’ victory against the New York Giants, the Commanders this week were unable to secure a playoff berth, which would be their first since 2020. However, they have a chance for redemption in the coming week on “Sunday Night Football” against the Falcons.

Despite their rocky start during Sunday’s game, Quinn highlighted Daniels’ exceptional ability to salvage the game in its final moments, a characteristic that sets him and the team apart.

“Being ready to make plays when it counts most is essential,” Quinn noted. “Today’s game had its ugly moments, yet it showcased incredible resilience and a refusal to yield.”

Daniels rose to the occasion even before the game concluded. As the third quarter drew to a close, Washington faced a tough fourth-and-11 situation. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner recognized an opening and surged for 29 yards.

“We don’t view him as merely a rookie. He carries himself with the poise of a veteran,” remarked right guard Sam Cosmi. “When it comes down to critical moments, we have complete faith in his ability to lead the offense.”

Daniels’ performance elevates the entire team, particularly during crucial moments.

“You can really feel it,”

He mentioned, “In these critical moments when victory is at stake, we all recognize how adept he is in these situations.”