Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels, and the Washington Commanders offense talk about their win over the Cardinals

Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels, and the Washington Commanders offense talk about their win over the Cardinals

The Washington Commanders defeated the Arizona Cardinals 42-14, pushing them to sole possession of first place in the NFC East with a 3-1 record. The defense showed up, and kept Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense in check for the majority of the game. This was another coming out party for Jayden Daniels as he continues his ascent up the ranks of NFL QBs.

Dan Quinn

With the Eagles getting whipped by the Buccaneers 33-16 in the early game, Washington entered this matchup with a 4:05 p.m. kickoff in Arizona in sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

The Cardinals got the ball first, and had a good return to start the first series at the 45-yard line. After earning 3 first downs, the Cardinals had 1st & 10 at the Commanders 11-yard line. Two plays later, they had 3rd & 1 at the 2-yard line, but the run was stuffed to bring up 4th and inches. Kyler Murray hit rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. for a TD with Igbinoghene in coverage. The drive lasted 9 plays and covered 55 yards to give Arizona the first lead of the game at 7-0.

Washington’s offense had gone 17-straight drives without a punt or a turnover, scoring on 14 consecutive possessions (not counting end-of-half kneeldowns). Jayden Daniels led his group onto the field to start their first series at the 30-yard line following the touchback. On 3rd & 4, Daniels hit Olamide Zaccheaus for an easy first down on a 16-yard gain that took the ball across midfield.

Two plays later, the Commanders faced 3rd & 1 at the Arizona 40-yard line. Working from under center, Daniels pitched the ball to Brian Robinson, who scampered 9 yards off the left tackle for another first-down pickup.

Running a no-huddle offense, the Commanders reached 1st & goal at the 6-yard line. With a 3-tight end set, Brian Robinson went straight up the middle for the touchdown to complete the team’s 15th consecutive scoring drive as punter Tress Way napped on the sideline. The score was tied at 7-7 after the 9-play, 70-yard drive.

Arizona, following a touchback, took over at the 30-yard line for the Cards’ second offensive series of the game. Again, the Washington offense was not able to contain the Cardinals offense, and the home team soon had 1st & 10 at the Washington 43-yard-line. However, after two more plays, it was 3rd & 9 at the 42-yard line. The attempted pass by Kyler Murray was incomplete, and the Cardinals punted. Blake Gillikin, the Arizona punter, dropped the ball inside the 10-yard line, and Washington set up for their second offensive possession a their own 7-yard line with just 02:39 left in the first quarter.

After a run and a short pass, it was 3rd & 4 at the 12-yard line. Once again, Jayden Daniels looked for Zaccheaus, hitting him on the right side of the field for 5 yards to pick up a critical first-down.

The next play was a beautiful pass to Terry McLaurin on the right sideline for 11 yards. The quarter ended on a 6-yard run by Brian Robinson, bringing up 2nd & 4 at the Washington 35-yard line.