Jayden Daniels Begins Year 2 With NFC East Matchup Against Giants’ Revamped Defense
Photo Credit: Luke Johnson/Imagn Images
Jayden Daniels surprised many NFL fans with his incredible rookie season. He won offensive rookie of the year and led the Commanders to the NFC title game.
Building off that stellar start will be hard to do, but Daniels is poised to do it. He will start the season on Sunday against his divisional rivals, the New York Giants. The Giants went 3-14 last year, but their two games against the Commanders were both single-digit losses.
The Giants are also much improved from last year, especially their defense. Rookie Abdul Carter, new signings Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo, and stars Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns look set to be a surprisingly good unit this season.
The Commanders have an equally strong offense, though, and they should be up to the challenge. Terry McLaurin signed his new contract and is ready to hit the ground running, along with his new teammate Deebo Samuel. Samuel is a true offensive weapon with 22 receiving touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns across his five-year career in San Francisco.
Jayden Daniels has those two pass catchers, as well as wide receiver Noah Brown and tight end Zach Ertz, to work with.
Brown is ready for a breakout year after bouncing around the league and settling in Washington last season. Ertz is a veteran and Super Bowl champion who is as reliable as they come.
Then there’s the new look offensive line with Laremy Tunsil joining the team. They will have to contend with the aforementioned Giants defensive stars to protect Daniels and allow him to connect with his receivers,
They will also have to block for shifty running back Austin Ekeler and seventh-round phenom Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt.
Bill has shown so much upside that the Commanders traded starting running back Brian Robinson Jr to the 49ers, and they rested Croskey-Merritt along with Ekeler in the preseason finale. Most seventh-round picks are fighting for a roster spot in the preseason finale. Not Bill.
Keys to the Game
For Washington to come out on top Sunday, they must make Russell Wilson struggle in his Giants debut and establish a connection between Daniels and Samuel early and often.
The Giants have Malik Nabers, but he is not their only pass catcher. Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are a skilled duo who complement Nabers well. Then there’s undrafted free agent Beaux Collins, who is a wild card to be involved in the Giants' offense this season. They will get passes from veteran QB Russell Wilson.
If Washington wants to win, it must make Wilson’s life miserable and prevent him from connecting with his weapons. Marshon Lattimore and rookie Trey Amos are a great cornerback duo, and Washington’s pass rush is lethal. Dorance Armstrong, Daron Payne, Von Miller, and Deatrich Wise Jr. That’s enough firepower to make any QB nervous. They need to wreak havoc early and often.
As mentioned earlier, Daniels has Deebo Samuel as a new weapon. If they get into a rhythm early, it’s game over for the Giants' secondary.
Prediction
Washington has all the pieces on both sides of the ball to win this game easily. However, the Giants were a tough out for them last season, and they’ve improved this offseason as well. An early-season divisional matchup like this is a must-watch.
Commanders 28, Giants 24