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Writer's pictureZach Penrice

DMV Star of the Week - Jayden Daniels

Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.” 

 

This week’s DMV Star’s of the Week is Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels


The #2 overall pick of the Washington Commanders in the 2024 NFL Draft has taken the league by storm over the past week. 


In Week 3, Daniels dominated the Bengals on Monday Night football and led the Commanders to an upset win in Cincinnati. In the victory, he threw for 254 yards and 2 touchdowns while breaking the NFL rookie record for completion percentage in a game (91%). Along with his success through the air, he rushed 12 times for 39 yards and another score as he led the offense on six consecutive scoring drives from start to finish without punting. 


On Sunday, in Week 4, Daniels followed up his dominance with another outstanding performance in Arizona. 


In a 42-14 win over the Cardinals, the rookie threw for 233 yards on 26/30 passing and a touchdown while rushing for 47 yards on 8 carries and another score.


On the year, the LSU product is now 10th in the league in passing yards, 1st in completion percentage, 3rd in QBR, and 20th in rushing yards while trailing only Lamar Jackson in quarterback rushing yards. 


This week, for the first time since his ‘coming out party’ in Cincinnati, the Commanders return home for a game in front of their fans as the team hosts the Cleveland Browns. 


Undoubtedly, with the clear front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year at QB, this is the most excited the Washington fanbase has been about its team since Robert Griffin III’s rookie season in 2012.

 

The DMV saw six teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Mystics, Washington Spirit, and the Howard and Maryland football teams


Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week: 


  • Washington Commanders Running Back Brian Robinson had 21 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 42-14 victory over Arizona 

  • Both Keibert Ruiz and Stone Garrett each had 3 RBI’s for the Nationals in Washington’s 9-1 win over Philadelphia on Friday night

  • D.C. United Striker Christian Benteke scored twice in Saturday’s 2-2 draw vs. Columbus. With the performance, he now has 21 goals in 27 games to lead all goal scorers across MLS

  • Maryland Quarterback Billy Edwards threw for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns in Saturday’s loss to Indiana

  • Maryland Running Back Roman Hemby had 10 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s loss to Indiana

Note: The Washington Nationals’ season came to an end on Sunday with a 6-3 loss to the Phillies in D.C. Washington finishes 2024 with a 71-91 record and in 4th in the National League East.

 

Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:


  • Washington Commanders (3-1, 1st in NFC East) 

    • 10/6 vs. Cleveland

  • D.C. United (8-10-13, 34 points 12th in Eastern Conference)

    • 10/2 @ Nashville

    • 10/5 @ New England 

  • Washington Spirit (15-2-5 overall, 47 points, 2nd in NWSL) 

    • 10/6 @ Orlando

  • Maryland Terrapins (3-2 overall, 0-2,T-16th in Big 10)

    • BYE

  • Howard Bison (2-3 overall, 0-0, T-1st in MEAC)

    • BYE


*Denotes games I will be covering in-person

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