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Moments that defined the 2024 Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders quarterback Jaylen Daniels (5) walks off the field after loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field. Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Moments that defined the 2024 Washington Commanders

By Bruce Ewing  |  Last updated Jan 26, 2025 8:36 PM ET

The Washington Commanders won 12 regular season games for the first time since 1986 and played in their first NFC Championship Game since 1992. Here are the team’s most memorable moments.

Sept. 8 | Jayden Daniels’ first game

All eyes were on the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as he looked to lead his new team past the Buccaneers on opening day. 

The Commanders lost the game, 37-20, but their new dual-threat quarterback was hardly to blame as Daniels went 17-24 for 189 yards with another 88 yards and two scores on the ground.

Sept. 23 | Jayden Daniels’ first touchdown pass

After two straight weeks without a touchdown pass, Daniels made up for lost time with a pair of touchdown throws against the Bengals in Week 3. The first went to offensive lineman Trent Scott, the second went to wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

Daniels had a rushing score as well and established a new NFL single-game rookie record for completion rate (91.3%) by going 21-23 for 254 yards.

Oct. 27 | The “Hail Mary”

Fans were excited to see how Daniels would fare against Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, but they never could have predicted how the game would end. 

Trailing 15-12 with 25 seconds left in the game, Daniels ran back and forth behind the line of scrimmage before unloading a 52-yard pass that bounced off a swarm of Chicago defenders and into the arms of wide receiver Noah Brown for the win.

Nov. 5 | The Marshon Lattimore trade

Washington's secondary was much improved over the group that allowed a league-worst 262.2 yards per game in 2023 but general manager Adam Peters gave third, fourth, and sixth-round picks in next year’s draft to get the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback from the Saints.

Nov. 30 | Emmanuel Forbes released

Most NFL teams wouldn’t cut ties with a first-round pick midway through his second season but with Lattimore on the roster, that’s exactly what Washington did with the 16th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

Dec. 29 | They’re in!

They needed overtime to do it, the Commanders clinched their first playoff berth in four years by beating the Falcons, 30-27, at home in Week 17. Washington’s defense had no problems against rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. but Atlanta couldn’t stop Daniels, who threw three touchdowns and ran for a career-high 127 yards.

Jan. 12 | Doink

Washington entered wild-card weekend as three-point underdogs against Tampa Bay but advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs with this 37-yard field goal from kicker Zane Gonzalez as time expired.

Jan. 18 | The Lions game

This time, the Commanders were nine-point underdogs to the top-seeded Lions but used a 28-point second quarter, five Detroit turnovers and this hit on Lions quarterback Jared Goff by linebacker Frankie Luvu to earn a 45-31 victory over the NFL’s top-scoring team.  

Jan. 26 | So close but so far away

Washington hoped to upset Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game but lost, 55-23. The team got 303 total yards and two touchdowns from Daniels, but even he couldn't overcome three rushing scores from Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley and four turnovers by the Commanders.

Commanders fans certainly hoped for more, better days are surely ahead for Washington. Daniels is a lock to be named the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year and with $90M in cap space available for 2025, the team will look to surround him with better talent. They own the 29th pick and seven selections overall in this year’s draft. 

Bruce Ewing
Twitter/X

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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