Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels helped snap the team’s drought of NFC Championship appearances with a shocking win over the Detroit Lions last week.
Daniels was 22-of-31 with 299 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He was not sacked in the game and Washington was 3-for-4 on fourth-down conversion attempts.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, #5, throws during warmups before an NFL football divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The young quarterback’s ability to stay poised and under control in high-pressure situations earned him praise from arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady. The former NFL star compared Daniels to Tiger Woods during an episode of “Let’s Go!” podcast.
“How do we really evaluate confidence? How do we evaluate poise? Because some people have it. The moments aren’t too big for them,” Brady said. “They look at the challenge and they think, ‘Man, this is going to be great when we go out and beat these guys.’ And the other guys look at the challenge and go, ‘Oh man, I really don’t want to mess up. ‘ And I think the fear of failure, instilled in many people early in life, keeps them from the ultimate confidence they have in themselves that allows them to grow to their maximum potential.
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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, #5, walks to the locker room after an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
“So even though Jayden Daniels is just a rookie, he has that poise and confidence. Imagine another context, look at a young Tiger Woods. He had never proven on the big stage that he was ready for the big moments in the Masters in ’97, but he had proved to himself in all the junior amateurs that he won, that he didn’t care who he played with.
Daniels appeared to maintain a one-game-at-a-time mentality when talking to reporters about the possibility of going to the Super Bowl with a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
If the Commanders win the NFC Championship, it will be their first Super Bowl appearance since the 1991 season when the organization was known as the Washington Redskins. Daniels would also be the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to a Super Bowl.
“I’m not even thinking that far. Obviously it would be a blessing, but I’m just focused on how I can get better day by day,” he said via Pro Football Talk.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, #5, celebrates a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
The Commanders and Eagles play at 3 PM ET on Sunday. The game can be seen on FOX.
