The Washington Commanders fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 24-22 in Sunday’s season-opener at Lincoln Financial Field. The Commanders had a chance to tie the game with one minute remaining, but offensive coordinator David Blough called a shovel pass on a two-point conversion attempt to tight end John Bates. It didn’t fool Philadelphia’s talented defensive line, and that was the end.
No Week 1 upset for the Commanders.
For three quarters, quarterback Jayden Daniels was uneven. He completed 9 of only 23 passes before the final quarter, then completed 9 of 11 for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels’ completion percentage needs context. He had several throwaways in the first half, as no one was open. There were drops, too. Daniels wasn’t perfect
either, but these are the types of things that occur in Week 1, especially when you don’t play in the preseason.
But when it mattered the most, Daniels rose to the occasion. While it wasn’t enough for the Commanders to come away with the win, Daniels had his team in position to tie the game twice.
First, after his touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs, the receiver was penalized for jumping onto the goalposts. Instead of going for two, the Commanders were forced to kick the point-after attempt. It was good, making it a one-point game.
After the game, Daniels took ownership of the penalty, even though it had nothing to do with him.
“You’ve just got to be smarter,” Daniels said. “We got to know situations and situational football, not reiterating that in the huddle. We’ve just got to be smart. There is a time and place for everything and celebrations. I’m pretty sure at that point we could have gone for two. Had to set up for the extra point, but as the leader and the captain, I put that moment on myself and not reiterating that in the huddle, knowing that we have the potential to score on the play while we’re in the huddle and just reiterating on the score going for two.”
Leadership. That’s Daniels. For what it’s worth, Diggs took complete ownership of the penalty, saying it was on him.
Still, despite not being able to go for two there, the Commanders had another chance. Daniels did his job, leading a 12-play, 63-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to rookie wideout Antonio Williams. This time, Washington went for two, but the attempted shovel pass to Bates failed. Game over.
While the call drew criticism on social media, Daniels wanted to hear none of it, saying he fully supported his offensive coordinator.
“Two-point play, man, we just didn’t execute,” Daniels said. “It was the right call. Anything Blough calls, man. I’m with him. Regardless, however everybody else might want to view it, man, I’m with Blough one hundred percent.”
These aren’t just words from Daniels. He’s close with Blough. He was his assistant quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons. Together, they built this offense. They are on the same page. Some plays work, some don’t. When you call a play that works, you're a genius; when you don’t, the Monday morning quarterbacks say you should be fired.
Blough will be fine. So will Daniels. And while the result didn’t go Washington’s way, there were a lot of positives to come out of Sunday’s disappointing ending.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders' Jayden Daniels laments failed two-point play
