LANDOVER, Md. — Jayden Daniels remains the central ingredient behind the buzzy and suddenly unstoppable Washington Commanders. On a day when the defense led the way, don’t sleep on the recipe involving tackles and tequila.
The latest shocking result, Sunday’s 34-13 lopsided win over the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium, included plenty of big plays from the star rookie quarterback. For the first time this season, Daniels wasn’t Washington’s driving force. The Commanders signed linebackers Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner in free agency for games like this.
Though a silent partner for much of the Commanders’ celebratory start to the season, the defense played a loud brand of football against their reeling AFC North foe. The unit that entered Week 5 last in opponent third-down conversions held the Browns to 1-of-13, the one coming inside the final minute of the game. After allowing six touchdown receptions to opposing No. 1 wide receivers — at least one in each of the first four games — the Commanders’ secondary kept Cleveland’s top targets out of the end zone.
Then there were the sacks. Washington generated minimal pressure before Sunday with eight sacks through four games. Buoyed by a rare home crowd advantage, the Commanders had seven sacks against the Browns, and other plays added more discomfort to already discombobulated Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson.
Luvu led Washington in sacks (2 1/2), tackles (seven), QB hits (three) and tackles for loss (two) while also recovering a fumble. Wagner, credited with 1 1/2 sacks, tossed a Browns lineman into Watson for a takedown.
“I was definitely happy with the energy,” Wagner said about the persistent pressure. “We had some plays that changed the trajectory of how the game is going.”
The linebackers have helped turn the defensive group around recently, along with the addition of new coaches, including coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and coach Dan Quinn.
“Bobby Wagner is as cool as you can get in just about every scenario,” Quinn said postgame. “Then next to him is Frankie, who is as wound up, wild and fun as you can get.”
Like most of the defense, Luvu’s statistics lagged initially this season. His aggressive presence remained a constant. On Sunday, the pass-rush prowess numbers surged dramatically. The ex-Carolina Panther, who said his postgame plans include tackling a bottle of his choosing, brought down Browns running back D’Onta Foreman for no gain on fourth-and-1 from Washington’s 47 on the opening drive.
Leading 7-0 in the second quarter, the Commanders stopped a drive that ended with a Dustin Hopkins 51-yard field goal. After cornerback Benjamin St-Juste made spotlight plays in coverage, Luvu sacked Watson on third down. No wonder Luvu received a game ball from Quinn.
WHERE MY DOGS AT@budlight | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/U71AjdcK0F
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 6, 2024
“Full effort everything,” Daniels said in appreciation of the tone-setting linebacker signed to a three-year contract in March worth up to $36 million. “He practices how plays.”
That last part of Daniels’ comment is why Washington sought out Luvu and Wagner, a 10-time All-Pro selection. The Commanders’ linebacker group struggled for several years, and these two immediately raised expectations for the unit and the entire defense. As they raised their games, Washington’s defensive production and intensity followed.
“I can honestly tell you this is the hungriest group I’ve been around,” said defensive tackle and Washington’s 2017 first-round pick Jonathan Allen. “Nobody here is satisfied.”
Daniels didn’t quite walk on water compared to his three previous outings, especially from an accuracy perspective. He finished 14-of-25 for 238 yards with one touchdown pass and an interception. His 11 incompletions nearly matched his total (12) in wins over the New York Giants, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, the latter two on the road. Washington played without wide receiver Noah Brown (groin) on Sunday.
The rookie’s second interception of the season came at Cleveland’s goal line on Washington’s second possession, following a rare three-and-out to start the game.
“I thought quite honestly it was a grimy start for the offense,” Quinn said.
And yet, Daniels appeared unfazed. Granted, that is his emotional default setting and the underrated aspect of his otherwise spectacular skill set.
“There are plays you want back, but that doesn’t mean anything about (the) last possession. You can’t dwell on that,” Daniels said.
He also took a wicked hit in the second half. And despite appearing to feel the pain, Daniels remained in the game.
“I wasn’t injured at all. I was over-exaggerating,” Daniels said as laughter sprung up in his postgame session.
The rookie showcased those big-play elements as well. On the second drive, Daniels completed a 66-yard bomb to Terry McLaurin, who finished with 112 yards on four receptions, though he fumbled on a carry opening the second half. Daniels later fed Dyami Brown down the right sideline for a 41-yard touchdown with 36 remaining in the second quarter.
FIRST PASSING TD AT THE CRIB FOR @JayD__5
📺 #CLEvsWAS FOX pic.twitter.com/RF8N0D9W9L
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) October 6, 2024
The quarterback led Washington with 82 rushing yards, including a 34-yard scramble to Cleveland’s 6-yard line that set up one of two Brian Robinson Jr. touchdown runs.
“We left some stuff out there on the table. A lot,” Daniels said. “It’s better to go back and review stuff after a win.”
Running back Austin Ekeler had a 50-yard run and finished with 97 yards from scrimmage after missing the 42-14 win at Arizona with a concussion. Robinson, limited by a knee injury this week in practice, scored on touchdown runs from 1 and 4 yards. The offensive line, with rookie Brandon Coleman starting at left tackle, kept 2023 Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett off the stat sheet entirely.
Cleveland’s offense had little chance of keeping pace, thanks to Washington’s pass rush and coverage. The Browns only crossed midfield once in the first half after the fourth-down stop and trailed 24-3 at the break. Watson had just 125 passing yards. His lone touchdown pass, a 10-yarder to tight end Jordan Akins, came deep into the second half. By then, the Commanders fans were in celebratory mode.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Allen said. “But with that being said, there’s still a lot of plays we’ve got to clean up.”
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Never being satisfied is a winning mentality. Washington has yet to hold an opponent to less than 100 rushing yards; Cleveland had 104 and averaged 4.5 yards per carry. Next week’s opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, will challenge the Commanders on the ground with two-time MVP-winning quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Luvu and his teammates will focus on that matchup soon enough. For the next 24 hours, expect some celebrating.
“The plays that are there to be made, I’m trying to capitalize on them,” said a happy Luvu. “I got two (sacks) today. I’m going to (focus) on that and drink some tequila.”
(Photo: Patrick Smith / Getty Images)
