NEW ORLEANS — Jayden Daniels’ impressive playmaking and maturity can make us forget the rookie is, well, a rookie. The quarterback’s part in the Washington Commanders allowing eight sacks on Sunday provided a reminder.
Despite several obstacles, Daniels delivered one of his better performances in the 20-19 closer-than-needed road win over the New Orleans Saints. Washington played without starting center Tyler Biadasz and three top receiving targets for some or the entire game.
Running back Brian Robinson Jr. found scant open lanes. If not for Daniels’ passing accuracy (80.6 percent on 31 attempts) and his wizardry on the move (66 rushing yards), the offense might have struggled to score half its points. Then there were those teachable moments when defenders invaded his personal space.
Coach Dan Quinn studied the sacks as part of his aftermath due diligence. Film watchers could see moments where linemen were pushed back into the pocket, receivers didn’t complete their chip blocks and downfield targets were scarce.
Quarterbacks are always in the eye of the storm. As a result, their actions are scrutinized above all. Daniels’ confidence in his ability to escape pass rushers and believe he can turn broken plays into chunk gains is part of the appeal. There are also times when waiting leads to losing yards. As Quinn and the staff guide the offensive rookie of the year favorite through his debut season, they are helping Daniels find the required balance.
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There were scrambles to the sideline where a simple toss out of bounds would have avoided a potential loss or the slender player taking unwanted hits. Passing on underneath throws led to takedowns — and the coach sharing a hypothetical conversation with his speedy young quarterback about slowing down.
“This play’s dead and we’re gone on to the next one. You don’t have to fight all the way through on every down,” Quinn said. “Finding that space for a good competitor, it can be challenging, but it’s also one that’s really important because if you’re always scrambling then you’re getting into scramble pattern. So, hitching up in the pocket, moving around when you can, but when it’s not there, let’s move to the next down.”
The thing is, Washington’s offense faces a situation where Daniels’ playmaking is needed more than ever. While Biadasz is expected to play in Sunday’s rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium, the Commanders lack a big target at receiver and a route-running pass catcher out of the backfield with Noah Brown and Austin Ekeler on injured reserve. Tight end Zach Ertz, second on the team with 54 receptions, is in concussion protocol. The thinning roster further prioritizes avoiding mistakes, including taking all those sacks.
Here’s a look at those eight sacks allowed — credit the Saints for quality pass rushing and scheme — and where corrections are warranted.
1. Second quarter, 14:36 mark. First-and-10 at Washington’s 37. Shotgun, no-huddle
The first of five sacks in the second quarter begins with 11 personnel and a bunch look with Jamison Crowder to Daniels’ right. On the snap, Crowder runs behind the line. Daniels fakes the handoff, leading to the right linebacker hesitating as Crowder continues toward the left sideline. Robinson moves to the top of the screen. The play design has options at all three levels, but the Saints have quarters coverage on Terry McLaurin and the safety picks up Dyami Brown on a crosser.
Daniels doesn’t identify the open Crowder despite roughly eight seconds in the pocket. Mental mistake? Perhaps. Edge rusher Chase Young eventually takes Daniels down for a 4-yard loss.
Quinn: “The early-down sacks are the ones that almost end up being like a penalty.”
2. Second quarter, 12:59 mark. Third-and-16 at Washington’s 31. Shotgun, no-huddle
Same possession. Another play with 11 personnel. Robinson is tight right on the line with Ertz to his left. The linebackers are roughly eight yards off the line, which should increase the likelihood of a checkdown. Daniels begins his dropback as the Saints rush four, generating immediate pressure from both edges. Robinson chips the left end, then runs an underneath crossing route into open space.
Left tackle Brandon Coleman lets Young race past him too quickly. Daniels steps up in the pocket with a slight slip and looks to move rather than hit Robinson or toss the pass away. An interior line switch has left guard Nick Allegretti taking on Cameron Jordan, who sees Daniels begin his escape and corrals the quarterback for a 7-yard loss.
Drive result: Washington punts
SACKED!!!@CamJordan94 brings down Daniels for a 7-yd loss#WPMOYChallenge | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/H9KAqNaOdR
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2024
3. Second quarter, 11:25 mark. First-and-10 at Washington’s 47. Shotgun formation
Twelve personnel with tight ends John Bates and Ben Sinnott, who motions from tight right. The Saints’ line crashes to Washington’s left, where Daniels fakes the handoff to Robinson, who stays to help Coleman. That leaves only two receivers downfield. Neither is open. It’s the same with Sinnott, who runs behind the line of scrimmage into the right flat as the quarterback boot has Daniels rolling right. He keeps moving and is knocked out of bounds at the marker. No loss.
Drive result: McLaurin 3-yard touchdown catch
4. Second quarter, 2-minute mark. First-and-10 at Washington’s 30. Shotgun formation
Back to 11 personnel with McLaurin far left and Dyami Brown in the slot. Daniels fakes a handoff to Robinson as a clean pocket develops. The edge rushers go far outside and Washington has three interior linemen on two defenders. Four pass defenders create a box around McLaurin. Brown and Luke McCaffrey are covered outside. Whatever defensive look offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury was hoping for didn’t materialize. Daniels moves, and with linebacker Demario Davis heading his way, the quarterback goes to the sideline for another zero-yard run.
Quinn: “A scramble that goes outside where there’s going to be a loss or no gain, that’s an easy throw out of bounds. So, that resulted in two (sacks).”
5. Second quarter, 1:48 mark. Third-and-10 at Washington’s 40. Shotgun formation
Same possession. Four receivers, two on each side with running back Jeremy McNichols in the slot to the left. The Saints go 3-2-6 with six players at the line of scrimmage. Three from the line drop into coverage — including Young — as safety Ugo Amadi blitzes from the formation’s right. McNichols chips the widest rusher. Center Michael Deiter helps Sam Cosmi after the right guard allows pressure up the middle.
Nobody is left to pick up the blitz and Daniels doesn’t recognize Amadi coming his way. Having dropped deep in the pocket, Daniels sees the pressure before him. As he steps right, there’s no chance to avoid Amadi or the 14-yard loss.
Drive result: Punt
The five sacks by the @Saints defense (Amadi, Davis, Gay, Jordan, Young) in the first half today marks a new season-high and ties a franchise record for the most sacks in a half. https://t.co/BG0FFiQ7cf
— New Orleans Saints PR (@SaintsPR) December 15, 2024
6. Third quarter, 8:53 mark. Third-and-1 at New Orleans’ 1. No-huddle
After Robinson rushes twice for 8 yards, Kingsbury opts to put the ball in Daniels’ hands. Everyone is tight on the line, including tight end-eligible lineman Trent Scott and McCaffrey, the lone wide receiver. Sinnott motions to the left, Cosmi pulls in that direction and Andrew Wylie blocks down. Coming from wide left, Jordan ignores the fake to Robinson and has a straight shot to Daniels because McCaffrey doesn’t come close to applying a viable chip.
Maybe this works if the physical, 6-foot-5 Noah Brown takes on the defensive lineman rather than McCaffrey. Kingsbury’s call put the rookie in that spot, and McCaffrey fell far short of the desired execution, leading to the 4-yard loss.
Quinn: “You’re simulating a run that’s going outside. … From our standpoint, that was poorly executed. Not on Jayden or the O-line on that one.”
Drive result: Greg Joseph’s 23-yard field goal
The 2nd sack of the day for @CamJordan94 and 6th for the #Saints defense 💪
RT to support Cam 👏#WPMOYChallenge | 📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/njYb46U5zI
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2024
7. Third quarter, 1:22 mark. Second-and-14 at New Orleans’ 28. Shotgun, no-huddle
Eleven personnel with all eligible targets beginning on or near the line of scrimmage, with Olamide Zaccheaus motioning inside McLaurin on the left side. With protection, Daniels might see Dyami Brown moving from the right slot to open space shy of the right corner of the end zone. The simple choice is Zaccheaus on an inside route at the 22 before the edge rushers push Washington’s tackles into Daniels’ space. Instead, sack No. 2 for Young and a 5-yard loss.
Drive result: Joseph’s 41-yard field goal
CHASE YOUNG SACK! 😤
His 2nd of the day#Saints | 📺:FOX pic.twitter.com/k7UeLpbuP7
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 15, 2024
8. Fourth quarter, 9:04 mark. Third-and-8 at midfield. Shotgun, no-huddle
Eleven personnel with Sinnott. McNichols motions to slot left, putting four targets on that side with Sinnott right. Zaccheaus is taken down during his route. No penalty is called, and nobody gets open. The pass protection is decent, but Daniels has little room to maneuver and nowhere to go.
Drive result: Punt
(Photo of Demario Davis and Jayden Daniels: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
