Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr. went through the NFL draft process together and are now two of the five quarterbacks selected in the top 10.
Daniels was picked second by the Washington Commanders and has been their starter all season, becoming one of football’s breakout stars. Penix, taken eighth in a surprising move that coach Raheem Morris joked “shocked the world,” started behind Kirk Cousins until last week, when he took over and made his first pro start.
On Sunday night, they will face each other in the league’s first prime-time game between rookie QBs drafted in the first round, and the game is very important with playoff chances on the line.
“I’m happy for him — he waited his time,” Daniels said about Penix. “He’s a phenomenal player in my eyes, and I’m excited to be able to match up against him.”
Daniels and the Commanders (10-5) will make the playoffs with a win. They could even be in before the game starts if Tampa Bay loses to Carolina, though the Buccaneers are 8-point favorites.
Washington is favored by 4 against the Falcons (8-7), who are competing with the Bucs for the NFC South title and a home playoff game. The Falcons are also fighting for a wild-card spot in the playoffs alongside the Commanders and others.
“The reality is that you fight, you fight, you fight and you put yourself in a position to go out there and win your division,” Penix said. “You put yourself in a chance to get yourself to qualify for extra play. We’re right in the mix of doing that, and we’ve got to go do it and finish.”
Daniels, who threw five touchdown passes last week to beat Philadelphia and end their 10-game winning streak, is the clear favorite to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Penix completed 18 of 27 passes for 202 yards in a big win over the New York Giants, which also included two touchdowns from Atlanta’s defense and two rushing touchdowns from running back Bijan Robinson.
“I was really pleased with his composure, his poise, his ability to click through progressions,” Morris said. “Realistically, it was a pretty clean game at the quarterback position. I’m very pleased with what he did and how he did it and the support that he had around him.”
