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Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Makes NFL History In Playoff Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 11:53 PM ET

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has played like anything but a rookie this season.

The 24-year-old signal-caller had one of the more impressive rookie seasons in recent memory, completing 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions, and rushing for 891 yards and six more scores.

He set multiple NFL records including most rushing yards and highest completion percentage by rookie QB, and he broke two Commanders franchise records for most passing yards and total yards (4,459) by a rookie en route to winning Rookie of the Week 11 times, as well as being named Offensive Rookie of the Month in September and earning a Pro Bowl selection.

And while all of those feats are impressive in their own right, perhaps Daniels’ most remarkable accomplishment came in Sunday’s 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Daniels finished with 268 yards passing and two touchdowns along with 36 yards rushing and a 110.2 passer rating, becoming the first rookie QB in NFL history with two or more passing touchdowns in a road playoff win, according to CBS Sports.

“It’s nothing but a blessing,” Daniels said during his postgame interview. “Can’t complain, can’t put words to it. I just got to credit my team and God. … The playoffs are amped up a little bit more. Obviously, you can feel the energy, the electricity in the stadium. It means a little bit more.”

The victory over the Bucs also put Daniels in an exclusive club. He joined Joe Flacco (2008), Mark Sanchez (2009), and Russell Wilson (2012) as just the fourth rookie passer to win a playoff game on the road.

Daniels also helped create a memory for Commanders fans that won’t soon be forgotten. Washington’s win over Tampa Bay is its first playoff victory since 2006, snapping a streak that lasted 6,945 days — Daniels was just 6 years old.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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