Over the past four games, Jayden Daniels has showcased an extraordinary level of play, boasting an 82.1% completion rate that eclipses even Peyton Manning’s peak performance period in 2008. Daniels' precision and consistency have become a key highlight of the season, underscoring his potential as a top-tier quarterback.
Washington Commanders' Remarkable Start
The Washington Commanders have made a powerful statement with their 3-1 start to the season. Not only have they clinched victories, but they've also demonstrated an exceptional level of efficiency. With a success rate of 54.6%—the highest in the NFL and the second-best on record since 2000—the Commanders are operating at a phenomenal level. This success has translated into 0.27 expected points added (EPA) per play, a rate double that of the Buffalo Bills and slightly higher than the 2004 Colts.
In back-to-back games, Washington has scored at least 38 points, a feat not achieved since 1991. This level of offensive firepower has been aided by the fact that all four opponents so far have had defensive success rates ranking 20th or worse. Nevertheless, Cleveland's defense, ranked eighth in success rate, may present a stiffer challenge.
Unparalleled Offensive Efficiency
Washington’s offensive efficiency is further highlighted by the fact that only 22.9% of their plays have resulted in zero or negative yards—the lowest rate in the NFL. They have managed to generate 0.52 EPA per play following losses or stagnations, outperforming the 2004 Colts' mark of 0.43.
Leading the league in expected points added on rushing plays, the Commanders’ ground game is thriving. With 10 rushing touchdowns, and ranking third in first-down runs, the ground attack has been nearly unstoppable. Brian Robinson Jr. has been a standout performer, averaging 3.92 yards after contact per rush, earning him a sixth-place ranking in the league.
Stellar Offensive Line Performance
Washington’s success can also be attributed to their remarkable offensive line. Pro Football Focus has graded them as the fourth-best pass-blocking unit, and they have allowed the tenth-lowest pressure rate. Daniels himself has been sacked on only 21% of his pressured dropbacks, a rate significantly better than his counterpart Caleb Williams, who has been sacked 30% of the time under pressure.
Memorable Moments and Tactical Tweaks
In a season filled with noteworthy moments, one that stands out is when Terry McLaurin requested a specific play that resulted in the biggest touchdown of the season. Such moments underscore the chemistry and trust among the players and coaches, as well as McLaurin’s understanding of the game.
A Chase for Continuous Improvement
Head Coach Dan Quinn’s philosophy of continuous improvement has been instrumental in maintaining the team’s focus amid their early-season success. "You talk about it, and you make sure -- you want them to feel that emotion in the locker room after a win. We have a real process that we go through every single week to get us ready to play, and that begins today and all the way through tomorrow and into Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We have a theme of every day. So, by staying consistent in that approach, I think that helps avoid the highs and lows. And I hope, and what I told the team earlier is just an absolute obsession with getting better and that's what we need to chase. Not what happened in the last game, but just an absolute obsession on things that we can improve on. Because, quite honestly, we think we can improve in a lot of areas,” Quinn remarked.
This relentless pursuit of excellence, combined with the offensive prowess and strategic acumen displayed by the Commanders, bodes well for the rest of their season. As they look to build on their strong foundation, the team’s unwavering focus on improvement will be key to sustaining their early success.