The Washington Commanders haven’t exactly been living off explosive plays this season, but Sunday night finally gave them one that changed the shape of the game.
With 2:51 left in the third quarter, Jayden Daniels hit Treylon Burks for a 53-yard gain that carried Washington from its own 40 all the way to Philadelphia’s 7. The play came right after Dorance Armstrong forced Tanner McKee’s fumble and Charles Omenihu recovered it, and it stood as the longest reception by a Commanders player this season.
Dan Quinn said the big strike didn’t happen in a vacuum. He pointed back to Burks’ earlier second-quarter comeback route as the kind of setup that can make a double move dangerous later in the game.
“There was a deep comeback by Trey Burks. He ran it at about 24, 25 yards,” Quinn said.
“And it was a good throw, good rip on the comeback. And that is kind of the setup for a double move later that can go for a big pass.
And so that’s kind of the back-and-forth that you work with in the passing game.”
That earlier throw came on second-and-6 and went for 21 yards, moving Washington from its own 15 to its 36. Burks sold the route by pushing upfield before breaking back toward the sideline, and that kind of look can freeze a defender just long enough to spring the deeper shot later. It also helped fuel Washington’s 89-yard touchdown drive, which ended with Stefon Diggs’ eight-yard catch to tie the game at 10.
Quinn also stressed that the offense can’t force those shots every time.
“If you get the specific looks that say, hey, here’s the chance to go put the ball up. Oftentimes, if you chase too much, you can get yourself into trouble.
But when the moments are there, are you able to go nail them?” Quinn said.
Burks finished with three catches for a team-high 81 yards, production Washington needs with Terry McLaurin out for the season. Still, the Commanders left points on the table after the 53-yard grab. Once they got to Philadelphia’s 7, they failed to gain another yard on the next three plays and settled for Drew Stevens’ 25-yard field goal to make it 16-10.
The big play gave Washington a chance to bury the game. Instead, it became another reminder that the offense has to finish when it creates an opening. Against the Rams, that means turning those downfield chances into touchdowns.
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