Jayden Daniels had a tough moment when he got the wind knocked out of him and missed a snap, but he quickly got back into the game and led the Washington Commanders down the field multiple times without scoring a touchdown. Despite this, he ensured they still added points to the board.
When it was crucial, Daniels stepped up and secured his first NFL win, leading the Commanders to a 21-18 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday. This win was thanks to a franchise-record seven field goals by new kicker Austin Seibert.
“I feel blessed,” Daniels said. “Can’t really complain. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but a win is a win.”
Daniels led a 65-yard drive in the final minutes to get the ball into the red zone, setting up Seibert’s 30-yard field goal that won the game as time ran out. Seibert’s perfect performance came just days after he replaced Cade York, who missed both of his attempts in the season opener.
“I guess that’s a great way to kind of welcome myself to the team and win a football game, so I’m happy with it,” Seibert said. “No reason to make it bigger than it is. Just go out there and do what I do.”
The Commanders (1-1) managed to win a tough game after the Giants lost kicker Graham Gano to an injury on the opening kickoff. Without Gano, New York (0-2) had to attempt several fourth-down plays after punter Jamie Gillan missed an extra point early in the game.
Gano, who mentioned that his injury was not related to the groin issue that had him on the injury report, said his hamstring “doesn’t feel good.”
Daniels completed 23 of 29 passes for 226 yards and ran for 44 yards in his second professional start. He defeated his former LSU teammate Malik Nabers, who played against him for the first time in the league. Nabers was the Giants’ standout player with 10 catches for 127 yards and his first career touchdown reception.
