It’s not quite Football 101, but it’s close.
Your team has the lead late in the game. Your team has the ball. It’s raining. In order to reduce the chances of a game changing turnover, your coach decides to run the ball. Because it’s safer than throwing the ball. The onus has now been put on holding onto the ball at whatever cost. Get it?
The Washington Commanders couldn’t execute even the simplest of scenarios in a 25-24 home loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6, and did so in front of a national audience on Monday Night Football.
At the heart of it all was a bumbled handoff by Daniels to rookie Jacorey “Bill” Croskey-Merritt with the Commanders leading 24-22 with 3:07 left in the fourth quarter that set up a game-winning, 38-yard field goal by Chicago’s Jake Moody as time expired.
It was the latest outing in what’s been a highly disappointing second season for Daniels, who has already missed 2 games with a knee sprain.
Daniels turned the ball over 3 times against the Bears — one interception and 2 fumbles. The Commanders finished with 4 turnovers as Croskey-Merritt also lost a fumble.
“Jayden Daniels chokes away the game for the Commanders,” PolyMarket Football wrote on its official X account on October 13. “The sophomore is struggling.”
Lack of Concentration Led to Late Fumble
The worst part about Daniels’ game-defining drive was that the fumble seemed to be a direct result of lack of concentration.
After Daniels struggled to get his hands on the wet ball on the snap, instead of making sure he had solid possession first, he essentially threw the ball into Croskey-Merritt’s stomach and watched it bounce out — not exactly how the Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury drew it up.
“Running back gonna get blamed for this but it’s Jayden Daniels fault,” Kalshi Sports’ John wrote on his official X account.
Daniels, to his credit, didn’t try to spread the blame.
“I lost the ball,” Daniels told the media after the loss to the Bears. “Completely my fault. I didn’t give Bill a chance.”
The loss dropped the Commanders to 3-3.
Social Media Lights Daniels Up After Loss
The Commanders drafted Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL draft — one of 6 quarterbacks taken in the first round.
In 2024, Daniels set the NFL rookie quarterback rushing record with 891 yards and 6 touchdowns while leading his team to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.
Social media users were quick to pounce on Daniels following the loss.
“Jayden Daniels went from greatest rookie season ever to QB6 of the 2024 class within 9 months,” X user Camron wrote.
“Caleb Williams left as the quarterback that won the game and made the plays when he needed to make them,” Chicago sports radio host David Haugh said on October 14. “Jayden Daniels left as the guy whose mistakes the Bears capitalized on.”
“Jayden Daniels lost his team the game but I’m sure we won’t hear ANYTHING about that this week right? lol” X user Yo Cliff wrote on his official account.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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