Film Session: A Closer Look at Jayden Daniels’ First Primetime NFL Game

Syndication: The Enquirer — Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The latest episode of ‘Watchin’ Film with Phil’ highlights All-22 Film from rookie QB Jayden Daniels’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ NFL primetime debut proved to be fun to watch. The dynamic former Heisman trophy-winning signal-caller had a nearly flawless performance in Monday night’s 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals after the national media gave the team zero chance of winning.

For Daniels, it was a chance to prove to a national audience that he’s more than just another mobile quarterback trying to cross over to the NFL game. His initial introduction was a success, as you can literally see his game growing with every snap.

Jayden Daniels’ First Primetime NFL Game

Here’s a summary of the key points from the video above (via ChatGPT) with time stamps for easy navigation.

0:14 – 0:50: Jaden Daniels’ Stellar Performance

Jayden Daniels is praised for an outstanding game. He went 21 of 23 for 254 yards, two touchdowns, and a 141.7 passer rating. He also added 12 rushes for 39 yards and a touchdown. The talk of the week was getting Terry McLaurin more involved, which paid off. The host (Phil Hughes) expresses excitement before transitioning to the film breakdown.

1:00 – 2:06: Missed Opportunity, Great Scramble by Daniels

The first play shows Daniels surveying the field and eyeing Noah Brown. However, seeing defenders closing in, he rolls out to the right. The host points out that Austin Ekeler had a step on the man covering him, yet Daniels decides to scramble. Although Daniels tripped on his own feet before getting a significant gain, the host commends his decision-making, saying the play could have gone further had he not stumbled.

2:06 – 3:22: Mesh Concept and Missed Pass

The play features a mesh concept over the middle, freeing up receivers. Daniels initially looks at Luke McCaffrey but opts to run instead of passing across the middle. The host points out that Daniels might have feared an interception but questions why he didn’t pull the trigger, noting that multiple receivers were open. Despite that, Daniels commits to running and gains positive yards, even if the play had the potential for more.

3:33 – 5:39: Fourth Down Play Almost Results in a Touchdown

On a crucial 4th-and-2, the offense sets up a well-designed play targeting Luke McCaffrey against a linebacker. Daniels makes an accurate pass, and McCaffrey nearly scores, coming within a couple of steps of the pylon. The host highlights Daniels’ precision and composure in a high-pressure situation, calling the play “a thing of beauty.”

6:07 – 7:15: Daniels Freezes Defenders, Makes Dynamic Moves

Daniels freezes several defenders throughout the field, but instead of taking a risky throw, he scrambles. The host breaks down how Daniels spots tight coverage on Terry McLaurin and wisely decides to run. The host praises his decision-making, highlighting a spin move that allowed him to evade defenders, gain yards, and go out of bounds. The host applauds Daniels for protecting himself, something the host has emphasized for weeks.

7:15 – 8:43: Daniels’ Spin Move and First Down

Another play breakdown shows Daniels under pressure, opting to scramble again after checking down multiple receivers. The host points out that Daniels’ eyes were more focused on avoiding defenders than making the risky long pass. Daniels executes a beautiful spin move, earning a critical first down. The host emphasizes the importance of these “drive extenders” in determining whether teams can consistently win games.

9:00 – 9:45: McLaurin Missed Touchdown Opportunity

Daniels misses a potential touchdown to Terry McLaurin, with the pass just a little too long. The host explains that while the throw was slightly off, the offensive line’s breakdown didn’t give Daniels enough time. Despite this, the host defends Daniels, emphasizing that protection issues played a bigger role in the play’s outcome than his timing.

10:00 – 11:50: Missed Receiver Across the Middle

Daniels runs another play and misses an open receiver across the middle. The host points out that the linebacker in coverage was overwhelmed, leaving a receiver wide open. Daniels, however, appears focused on a deeper route and doesn’t see the open man. The host explains that although Daniels gained positive yards, this was a missed opportunity for a bigger play.

11:50 – 13:00: Long Pass to McLaurin Sets Up a Big Gain

Daniels connects with McLaurin on a long pass that was beautifully executed. The host highlights how Daniels focused solely on McLaurin from the start and threw a perfectly placed deep ball, taking advantage of McLaurin’s speed. The host praises Daniels for his growing chemistry with his receivers and expects many more plays like this in the future.

13:00 – 14:50: Daniels Scores a Touchdown, Recognizing Growth

Daniels runs a well-executed read-option play, keeping the ball himself after the defense bites on a fake handoff. He then scores a touchdown.

14:50 – 15:45: Comeback Route and Daniels’ Next-Level Play

Another play breakdown highlights Daniels’ maturity as he avoids running, stays patient, and hits Noah Brown near the goal line. The host praises this as evidence of Daniels growing beyond the “run-first” label, showing that he’s now processing the game faster and making smarter decisions under pressure.

15:45 – 17:45: First NFL Touchdown Pass to Trent Scott

Daniels connects with Trent Scott for his first NFL touchdown pass. The host jokes about how no one would have predicted Scott catching Daniels’ first TD but emphasizes how great it was to see the lineman celebrate. This play represents another step in Daniels’ development as a next-level quarterback, able to create and execute under pressure.

17:45 – 19:10: Daniels’ Slide and Protecting Himself

Daniels makes an impressive move to make a defender miss on the edge, breaking their ankles with a sharp cut before sliding to avoid taking a hit. The host celebrates this moment, especially since Daniels has vocally expressed discomfort with sliding. The host is thrilled to see him protect himself, a critical skill for longevity.

19:10 – 20:20: Too Long for McLaurin on Another Touchdown Attempt

Daniels tries for another deep pass to McLaurin but overthrows it, just missing a touchdown. The host acknowledges the good play design and execution but notes that the pass was just a bit out of reach.

20:20 – 21:00: Zack Ertz as Daniels’ Security Blanket

The host praises Daniels’s growing relationship with veteran tight end Zack Ertz. Ertz has become a reliable option across the middle, especially for crucial third-down conversions. The host compares Ertz’s role for Daniels to what he was for young quarterbacks in Philadelphia.

21:00 – 22:17: Beautiful Terry McLaurin Touchdown

Daniels stands firm in the pocket and delivers a perfect fade pass to McLaurin for a touchdown despite taking a hit from the defense. The host praises both Daniels for his toughness and McLaurin for his ability to make a difficult catch while staying inbounds.

22:17 – 24:01: Daniels’ Promising Future

The host wraps up by expressing sheer excitement about Daniels’ future. Calling him the best rookie of the short season by far, with the coaching staff bringing him along at the perfect pace. The host expects the growing chemistry between Daniels, Zack Ertz, and Terry McLaurin to yield even more points in the coming weeks.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the other videos Phil Hughes has done this year, just hit the links below:

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