The landscape is shifting quickly for Washington’s NFL franchise. What we’re witnessing now is a mutationin both expectations and possibilities, and it’s happening at lightning speed. Sunday's decisive 34-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns felt like a long-awaited triumph, as if it was written in the stars. It was a game that saw Jayden Daniels endure the most challenging half of his budding pro career, yet the Commanders managed to come out on top, despite some offensive inconsistencies.
Daniels himself was quick to admit the team could have done more. "We left stuff on the table out there," he said, reflecting on what was still a dominant performance. His coach, Dan Quinn, echoed that sentiment, saying, “It was a grimy start for the offense.” But here's the thing: Washington fans know all too well what "grimy offense" looks like. And Sunday wasn’t it.
What really happened is that the Commanders cleaned up their act after a rough start. By halftime, they were cruising with a 24-3 lead, having racked up an impressive 283 yards. The energy at the stadium was palpable, as fans decked out in burgundy roared with approval. It was a scene that was almost surreal for a franchise that hasn’t given fans much to cheer about in recent years.
The big question looming in the air is: Who exactly are these Commanders? How does a team that plays somewhat inconsistently for two quarters suddenly turn things around and steamroll their opponent? This is Washington we’re talking about! A team that, in recent history, has struggled to find any kind of consistency or rhythm.
Sure, it’s easy to chalk up part of the win to the fact that the Browns looked dreadful. Let’s face it—Deshaun Watson appears uninterested, and it’s hard to imagine why Cleveland keeps putting him out there. But if we’re being honest, how many games did you expect Washington to win this season? With a rookie quarterback, a new coaching staff, and a roster that still has noticeable holes, even the most optimistic fans probably capped their win total around seven games. (Full disclosure: I certainly did!)
Yet here we are, five games into the season, and suddenly 10 or 11 wins don’t seem far-fetched at all. Playoffs? Maybe. An NFC East title? Could it be? The way things are going, none of these possibilities seem out of reach anymore. Washington is riding a four-game winning streak, and if they can finish the season at 10-7, that only requires them to play .500 football the rest of the way. It’s not unreasonable to dream big.
The whole vibe around this team is different. “The arrow’s pointed up,” said linebacker Frankie Luvu, who seemed to be everywhere on the field Sunday. “That’s the direction we want to go.” And why shouldn’t they be excited? After all, Washington is sitting at 4-1 and is currently at the top of the NFC East standings. Typing that sentence alone feels borderline bizarre—but here we are. It’s almost believable that the 59,000-plus fans in Northwest Stadium started doing the wave during the third quarter. In fact, they did! Even the owners' box, including Josh Harris and Mitchell Rales, joined in with glee.
That energy has a lot to do with Daniels, who is quickly becoming the face of this new-look franchise. His performance may not have been flawless on Sunday, but it didn’t need to be. By the fourth quarter, Washington was so far ahead that Quinn benched Daniels and gave backup Marcus Mariota some time on the field. That’s right—Daniels was pulled not because he was playing poorly, but because the game was already well in hand.
When you look at Daniels' stats from Sunday, they don’t exactly leap off the page: 14 completions on 25 attempts for 238 yards, with one touchdown and one poorly timed interception. But the stats only tell part of the story. The real magic came during moments that can’t be easily quantified, like when he turned a third-and-13 into a 66-yard bomb to Terry McLaurin. Escaping the pocket, sprinting to his right, and launching a perfect pass downfield is the kind of play that makes you sit up and take notice. It’s the kind of play that shows Daniels isn’t just another rookie—he’s special.
McLaurin described the play as “just scramble drill,” something they’ve practiced but hadn’t yet executed in a game. Daniels made it look effortless, and it’s that kind of improvisation and ability to make big plays that sets him apart. Four weeks ago, he probably would’ve tucked the ball and run. Now, he’s making highlight-reel plays that will have Washington fans buzzing for weeks.
But it wasn’t just his arm that did the damage. Daniels also led the team in rushing, with 82 yards on 11 carries, despite playing only three quarters. His dual-threat capability—both as a passer and a runner—adds a whole new dimension to Washington's offense. It’s something we haven’t seen since the days of Robert Griffin III’s electrifying rookie season. But let’s not go there just yet. Quinn has said he doesn’t want Daniels dealing with the “ghosts” of Washington’s quarterbacking past, and for good reason.
Still, it’s hard not to be reminded of Griffin, who was a superstar until injuries derailed his career. Every time Daniels scrambles or takes off downfield, you can’t help but hold your breath. But let’s not let that fear overshadow the excitement of what we’re seeing right now. Daniels is healthy, and as long as he stays that way, this Washington team is capable of lighting up the scoreboard.
In fact, Washington has scored at least 34 points in each of their last three games, something that was almost unheard of during Ron Rivera’s tenure. Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have brought a new spark to this offense, and it’s paying off in a big way. With weapons like McLaurin, Austin Ekeler, and a rapidly improving offensive line, this team is dangerous in ways we haven’t seen in years.
McLaurin captured the mood perfectly when he said, “The vibes in here are really high.” And why shouldn’t they be? The Commanders look like a team that’s on the rise, with a young quarterback who is just scratching the surface of his potential. This isn’t just a feel-good story—this is the start of something real.
If there was one play that truly encapsulated Washington's dominance, it came in the second quarter on a fourth-and-three from Cleveland’s 40-yard line. The Commanders needed three yards. Daniels sprinted for 34, with a hat tip to Ekeler for his downfield blocking. Plays like that are why Washington fans are starting to believe again. Daniels, almost by himself, makes this team explosive in a way it hasn’t been since—well, since Griffin was lighting up the league as a rookie.
So, here we are, five games into the season, and everything feels different. The possibilities are endless. The expectations are rising. Washington is no longer just scraping by—they’re winning big. And as long as Daniels keeps growing and this team keeps improving, who knows how far they can go? Get used to it, Washington. This is your new reality.
Login