Jayden Daniels Surpasses Manning's Peak
In a stunning turn of events, Jayden Daniels has solidified his position as one of the most accurate passers in recent football history. Over a four-game stretch, Daniels has boasted an 82.1% completion rate, surpassing even Peyton Manning's peak period of 2008. Such accuracy is a rare feat, placing Daniels in a league of his own among elite quarterbacks.
While Daniels continues to impress, the Washington Commanders are crafting their own success story. With a notable 3-1 start to the season, Washington currently holds the highest success rate in the NFL at 54.6%, which is the second-best on record since 2000. Additionally, they generate 0.27 expected points added (EPA) per play—double that of the high-powered Buffalo Bills.
Commanders’ Offensive Prowess
This season, Washington has demonstrated a remarkable offensive capacity, scoring at least 38 points in back-to-back games for the first time since 1991. Their opponents, however, have not been formidable in defense, with all four ranking 20th or worse in defensive success rate. Despite this, Washington's offense has been exceptionally efficient, with only 22.9% of their plays resulting in zero or negative yards, the lowest rate in the NFL.
What stands out is Washington's ability to bounce back from setbacks. They generate an impressive 0.52 EPA per play following losses or stagnations, a figure that eclipses the 2004 Colts' season mark of 0.43. This resilience has translated into success on the ground, with Washington leading the league in expected points added on rushing plays and boasting 10 rushing touchdowns—the highest in the NFL. Brian Robinson Jr. has been a standout, averaging 3.92 yards after contact per rush, which places him sixth in the league.
Stellar Offensive Line Performance
Washington's offensive line has played a crucial role in their success, earning a grade as the fourth-best pass-blocking unit by Pro Football Focus and allowing the tenth-lowest pressure rate. This protection has allowed Daniels to execute plays effectively, although he has been sacked on 21% of his pressured dropbacks—a stark contrast to Caleb Williams, who has been sacked 30% of the time under pressure. The offensive line's performance has been instrumental in allowing star receiver Terry McLaurin to shine. McLaurin's requested play resulted in the biggest touchdown of the season, showcasing the effective collaboration and trust within the team.
Maintaining Focus and Consistency
Amidst the season's highs, Washington's approach to maintaining focus and consistency is emphasized by coach Dan Quinn. Quinn underscores the importance of a disciplined routine and continuous improvement: "You talk about it, and you make sure -- you want them to feel that emotion in the locker room after a win. We have a real process that we go through every single week to get us ready to play, and that begins today and all the way through tomorrow and into Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We have a theme of every day. So, by staying consistent in that approach, I think that helps avoid the highs and lows. And I hope, and what I told the team earlier is just an absolute obsession with getting better and that's what we need to chase. Not what happened in the last game, but just an absolute obsession on things that we can improve on. Because, quite honestly, we think we can improve in a lot of areas."
Quinn's philosophy appears to be paying dividends. As the Commanders continue their season, their adherence to process and improvement will be critical in sustaining their current performance levels. With offensive leaders like Daniels and McLaurin stepping up and a robust offensive line providing steadfast protection, Washington's potential this season appears limitless.