Washington Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels helped end the team’s NFC Championship appearance drought with a shocking victory over the Detroit Lions last week.
Daniels finished 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, No. 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 be calm and under control in high-pressure situations has earned him praise from 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 gauge confidence? How do we gauge balance? Because some people have it. The moments aren’t too important to them,” Brady said. “They look at the challenge and think, ‘Man, it’s going to be amazing when we go out and beat these guys.’ And the other guys look at the challenge and say, “Oh man, I really don’t want to mess up.” And I think the fear of failure, instilled in a lot of people early in life, keeps them from acquiring. the ultimate confidence they have in themselves, which allows them to develop 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 composure and confidence. Imagine, I guess, another correlation, look at a young Tiger Woods. He’s never proven himself on the big stage that he was ready for these big moments in “
Daniels appeared to maintain the one-game-at-a-time mentality as he spoke to reporters about the possibility of going to the Super Bowl with a victory against 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 don’t even think that far ahead. It would obviously be a blessing, but I’m just focusing on how I can be 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 Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on FOX.
