Washington Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels has proved throughout his rookie season that he's one cool customer, and that's only been emphasized in the playoffs.
Against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Daniels was a beacon of high-level production as the Commanders offense scored 45 points on the road.
Daniels would lead seven drives of eight-plus plays and one 18-play drive that took over eight minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter. Plus, Washington had the ball for more than seven minutes longer than the Lions, which helped pave the way to a big upset win.
And there were many things that left head coach Dan Quinn impressed with Jayden.
“I think going into the game, we knew we [would] have to be bold on some spots,” Quinn said. “Whether that was third and fourth downs when he'd have to use his legs, when he'd be able to was hand it off, rip it, whatever that looked like. Those are spots that are important on the fourth downs but I thought as important in the second half, some long drives that use time to go down the field and using all the shot clock. So we can just make sure all of those moments that we go whether it's huddling, whether it's using all the shot clock, extending plays, those were some of the things that jumped out to me.”
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels
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Now, with the Philadelphia Eagles up next in the NFC Championship game, Daniels will have to replicate what he did in Detriot.
Long, sustained drives that keep Saquon Barkley and Co. off the field, while also putting up points is a key element.
Washington was also three of four on fourth down in Detroit, and given Quinn's desire to be aggressive, we imagine that the Commanders won't change their approach in Philadelphia.
Daniels has been as advertised in his rookie season, and with a shot at the Super Bowl on the line, can he once again lead his team to victory on the road when the stakes are at their highest?
