Historic Rookie Season: Jayden Daniels Propels Commanders to 4-1 Start

Charles Taudin

Against the Baltimore Ravens, Jayden Daniels has a chance to set history

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has taken the NFL by storm, setting records and leading his team to an impressive 4-1 start.

Jayden Daniels’ remarkable dual-threat ability has not only set him apart as one of the league’s top young talents but has also positioned Washington as a legitimate contender early in the season.

With a important matchup against Baltimore coming in Week 6, Daniels is on the brink of joining an elite group of rookie quarterbacks.

A Record-Breaking Start for Jayden Daniels

Through his first five games, Daniels has already achieved something no other NFL player has managed: surpassing 1,000 passing yards and 250 rushing yards within the first five games of the season.

He currently has 1,135 passing yards and 300 rushing yards, a testament to his versatility and dynamic playmaking. This accomplishment has been a key factor in Washington’s early success, propelling them to a 4-1 record.

Daniels’ early achievements place him in the company of some of the NFL’s most accomplished rookies.

A win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday would make Jayden Daniels just the second rookie quarterback since 1950 to win five of his team’s first six games, a feat last achieved by Dak Prescott with the Dallas Cowboys in 2016.

Additionally, should the Commanders secure a fifth consecutive win, Daniels would join Mac Jones (2021) and Brock Purdy (2022) as rookie quarterbacks to guide their teams on a five-game winning streak in recent years.

Offensive Surge Under Jayden Daniels’ Leadership

Washington’s offense has been firing on all cylinders, with Daniels orchestrating high-scoring performances in the past three games, each one totaling at least 30 points.

If the Commanders reach the 30-point mark again this Sunday, they will become only the second team since 1950 to achieve four consecutive games of 30 or more points with a rookie quarterback.

The last time this occurred was with Deshaun Watson in 2017 when he was playing for the Houston Texans.

A Ground Game on Fire

Washington’s ground attack has been equally dominant, leading the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns this season.

In their first 5 games, the Washington Commanders have average 178 rushing yards per game, trailing only the Baltimore Ravens.

In their recent 34-13 win, the Commanders scored three rushing touchdowns, marking the fourth game this season with at least three rushing scores.

Should they add another rushing touchdown on Sunday, Washington would join an exclusive group of teams with 14 or more rushing touchdowns in the first six games of a season.

This list includes the 1975 Miami Dolphins (16 rushing touchdowns), 2023 Miami Dolphins (15), and 2004 Kansas City Chiefs (14).