Jayden Daniels isn’t trying to pass his Week 5 mistake off on anyone else.
After Washington’s overtime draw with the New York Giants, the Commanders had a real chance to line up a field goal and leave with the win. Daniels didn’t manage the clock properly, the running game time expired, and Washington lost its best shot to walk off with a victory.
When he met with Washington media on Thursday, Daniels made it clear he was owning it, according to reporters Nicki Jhabvala and John Keim.
“It was ultimately on me, so I said my two cents and said it'll never happen again and move forward from that,” Daniels said.
He doubled down on that point, making sure the blame stayed with him rather than the sideline.
“Don't even put it on the coaches. I have to be more aware out there and manage the game right.
I did not do that. No matter what happens on the sidelines, I've got to know everything happening and make sure we're in the right situation to win the game.”
Daniels has already shown he can carry a team, leading Washington to the NFC Championship Game as a rookie. Even with the regression and the injuries, there’s still room for him to bounce back and help the Commanders get moving again.
Washington sits at 1-3-1, which leaves it fourth in the NFC East. The Commanders are currently ahead of the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles in the division, while they rank 13th in the conference. In that larger race, they are ahead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New Orleans Saints and behind the Cowboys and the Eagles.
The next test comes on the road. Washington visits the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6, with kickoff set for Oct. 19 at 8:15 p.m. ET.
In Other News...
Commanders Enter Brutal Stretch With Dan Quinn Under Growing Pressure
The Commanders walked away from their loss to the Giants with more than just a blown 14-point fourth-quarter lead to explain. The way they handled the final overtime play only sharpened the scrutiny around Dan Quinn, whose team has now given critics plenty to point to after a frustrating late collapse.
Washington does not get much time to reset before stepping into another difficult test, and the margin for error is about to shrink fast. A trip to face the unbeaten 49ers adds another layer of pressure to a stretch that already feels like a measuring stick for where this season is headed. [Read more 🡒]
Trey Amos Could Face A Brutal First Test In His Commanders Return
Trey Amos is finally nearing a long-awaited return, and the Commanders could have him back on the practice field in full this week as they sort through whether to activate him for Week 6 against the 49ers. It would mark a major step for a cornerback who has spent nearly a year trying to work his way back after a string of injuries, with Washington expected to bring him along carefully as he rebuilds his football shape.
The timing, though, is not exactly gentle. San Francisco presents a demanding first assignment for any defender easing back into game action, and the Commanders will have to balance the need for depth in the secondary against the reality that Amos is still getting his legs under him. For Washington, the hope is simply to get a promising piece back on the field without asking too much of him too soon. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Rookies Are Showing Life But One Question Still Looms
Five games into the season, Washingtons rookie class is starting to look less like a long-term project and more like a group already carving out real roles. Sonny Styles has been the headline name on the defensive side, while Antonio Williams has seen his workload rise on offense, giving the Commanders a clearer sense that this class is beginning to settle in rather than just flash in spurts. Drew Stevens, Matt Gulbin, Athan Kaliakmanis and Joshua Josephs have also shown progress in the early going, with their playing time and statistical grades offering a steadier read on where each one fits.
What still matters most for Washington, though, is how much of this production can hold once the season starts asking more of these rookies. Styles impact has been encouraging, Williams usage is growing, and the rest of the group is at least giving the staff reasons to keep watching closely, but the bigger question is whether this early lift becomes a dependable part of the roster picture or just a promising five-game snapshot. [Read more 🡒]