Commanders praise Daniels' 5-TD performance: 'He became a heavy hitter'

There was nothing but praise from the Washington Commanders for Jayden Daniels after the rookie quarterback made history in a comeback win against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Daniels led the Commanders on a nine-play, 57-yard drive late, connecting with wide receiver Jamison Crowder in the end zone with six seconds left to give his team the 36-33 win.

"If you give him moments, he really lights up in those spots," Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said postgame. "Today, he became a heavy hitter, he really did."

Daniels was 24-for-39 passing for 258 yards and five touchdowns. He's the first rookie in NFL history to throw five TDs and rush for 50-plus yards in a single game and the first rookie with multiple game-winning TD passes in the final 30 seconds of the fourth quarter, per NFL on CBS.

The Eagles ended the first quarter up 21-7, with the Commanders unable to maintain any momentum. Washington turned the ball over five times in the game, including two Daniels interceptions.

Despite the turnovers, Daniels slowly helped the Commanders chip away at the Eagles' lead to set up his game-winning drive.

"I love those type of situations when it's on thin ice and plays need to be made," Daniels said after the win. "That's what you live for if you really love this sport - you live for those big-time moments where it comes down to the end."

Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin complimented Daniels on his mental fortitude and ability to keep the offense calm in high-pressure situations.

"He's so poised," McLaurin said, according to The Washington Post's Barry Svrluga. "No matter if we're making plays or if we're missing plays, he just has a way to stay even-keeled. I've never seen that from a rookie at any position, let alone quarterback."

McLaurin added: "He has a way of just making the right plays at the right time. You can't teach that. His ability to get better is why he has a chance to be one of the great ones."

Daniels also set a franchise record for the most combined yards by a rookie with 4,040 passing and rushing yards this season. He surpassed Robert Griffin III, who previously won Offensive Rookie of the Year with Washington.

"Jayden Daniels is your NFL Rookie of the Year. Period. End of story," Griffin posted on X after the game.

The Commanders have now won 10 games, their most since 2012. The team can secure a playoff spot with a win against the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 29.