Jayden Daniels’ remarkable rookie season was already one to remember. Now, it’s unforgettable after his Hail Mary touchdown pass last week led the Washington Commanders to a comeback win against the Chicago Bears.
The Commanders are a team of destiny this season. It’s hard to deny and escape the thought after their thrilling comeback, and the most memorable touchdown in recent memory.
Daniels fell into the Commanders’ lap with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft earlier this year, just like Daniels’ pass was tipped and fell into the grasp of receiver Noah Brown to seal the victory.
Daniels was already a lock for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. He’s surely in the conversation for NFL MVP. And the Commanders are a favorite to win the NFC East. But let’s take this a step further to kick off USA TODAY’s NFL overreactions for Week 8:
Commanders will reach NFC title game this season
We’re not ready to place them in the Super Bowl just yet, but the trio of Daniels, coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury are producing a special season in Washington.
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Daniels is accurate with the football, ranking second in the NFL with a 71.8 completion percentage. He stretches the field with 8.4 yards per attempt, which ranks fifth in the NFL. And his effectiveness is marked by his 72.7 QBR, also fifth in the NFL. Let’s remind you, he’s still a rookie.
The Commanders are becoming a battle tested group, inspired by Daniels, one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL and a stiff defense playing for more than what they’re used to playing for since his arrival.
Get ready for Washington and the Detroit Lions in the NFC title game later this season.
NFC West just got more interesting …
It’s not the San Francisco 49ers or the Los Angeles Rams sitting atop the NFC West after Week 8. No, it’s Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals after a 28-27 win over the Miami Dolphins last week.
The Cardinals, 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are all 4-4, while the Rams are 3-4. Each team in the division is slowly finding its groove. But the Cardinals’ first two wins of the season, against the Rams and 49ers, are already paying dividends in the division.
Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. reignited their flame together with six catches, 111 yards and a touchdown for the rookie receiver last week to bounce back from a 10-point deficit and beat the Dolphins.
The 49ers are coping without Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, while the Rams have welcomed Cooper Kupp and Puka Nukua back into the fold.
Expect at least three teams to contend for the playoffs from the NFC West, including the Cardinals, who hope to win their first division title since 2015.
AFC East is also interesting … sort of
Sure, the New York Jets have lost five in a row, but their season isn’t over yet. We’ve still got nine more games to enjoy the train wreck that is Aaron Rodgers and friends being led by an interim coach in a season falling short of expectations.
Despite scoring more than 20 points, committing zero turnovers and holding the New England Patriots to less than 250 yards of offense, the Jets still lost 25-22 on the road last week.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills are sitting comfortably atop the division at 6-2, and looking down at chaos. The Dolphins are 2-5 in second place. The Patriots are 2-6 in third place. And the lowly Jets are also 2-6, but in last place.
The battle for second place will only heat up from here – we think. But it’s virtually impossible to think if any team from this division other than the Bills will reach the postseason.
Russell Wilson will work his way into MVP conversation
The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 since Russell Wilson seized the starting job from Justin Fields, and 6-2 after Week 8. Surprisingly, they lead the AFC North after the Baltimore Ravens faltered against Jameis Winston and the Cleveland Browns.
It’s clear the Steelers value Wilson’s ability to move the ball downfield more, where Fields struggled to seal the deal despite his elite athleticism. And the ability to put up points makes it easier for the Steelers’ defense, with sack master T.J. Watt, to put games away.
Wilson has completed 63.2% of his passes (36 of 57) for 542 yards with three touchdown passes in his two starts against the Jets and New York Giants. If Wilson keeps it up, he’ll enter the MVP conversation where Daniels, Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes are in the mix.
The Steelers and Ravens will finish this season atop the AFC North, and be the toughest outs in the AFC – not named Kansas City – later this postseason.