After missing the past two games with a dislocated left (non-throwing) elbow, Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels returned for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. Daniels looked great early, completing two passes to tight end Chig Okonkwo to lead Washington to a touchdown on its first drive of the game.
Daniels continued to play well in the sloppy conditions, including two second-half runs for touchdowns for 38 and 26 yards, respectively. Daniels would finish the game completing 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards, while also leading the Commanders with 101 rushing yards on nine carries and two touchdowns.
You couldn’t have scripted a better return for Daniels, who answered several questions.
One problem: the Commanders didn’t win. They didn’t lose either. Washington finished tied 27-27 with the Giants. In a game where they led 27-13 in the fourth quarter, the Commanders went to overtime and had more chances to win, including in the final seconds. However, Washington inexplicably allowed the clock to run out instead of attempting a 42-yard game-winning field goal. Daniels was tackled with around eight seconds remaining, but time expired before he could get set and spike the ball.
Inexplicable. How could Daniels not throw the ball away when he saw nothing open? Why were the Commanders even attempting another play there? There were so many questions, with Daniels, offensive coordinator David Blough and head coach Dan Quinn all receiving blame, especially Quinn.
Quinn accepted full responsibility for the late-game mistake that cost the Commanders a win. How did Daniels respond?
“We just have to be better,” Daniels said. “We all have to be better. Situational football. Starts with me. Everybody will say the same thing, but we have to be better at situational football.”
A lot of we’s there from Daniels, which is unusual. While he said it starts with him, he was clearly not happy.
“We have to stop the clock,” he said when asked about his decision-making on the final play. “We have to know the situation. We have to relay that as an offense. It starts with everyone, top down. Ultimately, it’s on me.”
Again, Daniels takes accountability, but makes sure to mention that it starts from the “top down.” Who is at the top? That would be head coach Dan Quinn.
Daniels isn’t wrong here. And you have to remember, these guys are emotional right after the game. He’s not trying to throw anyone under the bus, but you can tell he’s upset. His team just cost themselves a win. What happened when the ball was snapped was on Daniels. There’s no debating it. What happened before the play was on Quinn and Blough.
In the end, it doesn’t matter. The Commanders are now 1-3-1, and things do not get any easier with a trip to undefeated San Francisco next week.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Jayden Daniels responds to Commanders' costly late-game mistake vs Giants