Arizona Cardinals (1-3) – Washington Commanders (3-1): 14-42
Jayden Daniels (26/30, 233 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception) further cements his number 1 place in the race for offensive rookie of the year. The quarterback used his legs and arms in the best possible way to bring his team to victory. More than the substance, it was also the form which impressed with complex passing angles and a playbook recited to perfection.
Opposite, Arizona looked like the Arizona of 2022 under… Kliff Kingsbury. Undisciplined, without any control and with questionable choices from the coaches, difficult for Kyler Murray (16/22, 142 yards, 1 touchdown) and Marvin Harrison Jr. (5 receptions, 45 yards, 1 touchdown) to do better. Kingsbury has matured. Dispossessed of full powers and focusing on the tactical aspect, he now displays his talent. This meeting, without bitterness in his words, gave him a certain form of redemption.
Jayden Daniels' Ride
One drive and then it's gone. This is enough to sum up the first half of the Cardinals. In the first sequence of the match, everything went well for Kyler Murray and his friends. James Conner destroys Washington behind a dominant offensive line and Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to rack up receptions and touchdowns. After just five minutes Arizona leads 7-0.
And then everything crumbles. Jonathan Gannon's men forget how to play. Drew Petzing (OC) compiles the questionable decisions. And the execution is sketchy at most. The defense only shows itself in the last 5 minutes of the first half. Opportunities once again wasted by the attack which returned the ball with a minute on the clock, on a fourth attempt aborted in the opposing camp.
For the Commanders everything is going well. Kliff Kingsbury, who knows the place well, sees Jayden Daniels throwing and running almost flawlessly. The rookie looks like a veteran behind a transformed offensive line. Brian Robinson (21 carries, 101 yards, 1 touchdown) and Jeremy McNichols (8 carries, 68 yards, 2 touchdowns) participate in the party. And the first finishes the work of his attack in force to respond to the Cardinals (7-7).
The second quarter is one-sided. McNicholls finishes a drive with a 27-yard run and two broken tackles (7-14). Jayden Daniels distributes to everyone, even to defenders. Garrett Williams (CB) takes the opportunity to recover the ball. Without consequences for a defense of the Commanders who finally show a little potential in return. Jeremy Chinn (LB/S) in particular had a full match (5 tackles). The Commanders coordinate a final perfect drive in one minute to grant themselves three additional points just before halftime (7-17).
Kliff Kingsbury unfolds
The second half begins as it ended for Washington: foot to the floor. It only took two minutes for the Commanders to surgically move up the field, led by Kingsbury and Daniels. The quarterback even allows himself to imitate his runners and run to the promised land with his legs to increase the score (7-24).
Washington is facing opposition too weak to say anything about it. The Commanders convert a fourth attempt and are already running out the clock. A new drive ends with three points approaching the last quarter (7-27).
James Conner (18 races, 104 yards, 1 touchdown) shows the way to revolt. In his wake, the Cardinals' attack found rhythm and ideas. It takes five minutes, and a conversion in 4&12, for the only man to show desire for the home team to be rewarded with a touchdown (14-27). But the revolt makes a splash. The damage has already been done and Washington's attack continues to crush Arizona.
Dan Quinn (HC) manages the clock perfectly. Washington gains time while peacefully advancing into enemy territory. Jayden Daniels is inevitable and after the ground, he passes through the air and the hands of his best target Terry McLaurin (7 receptions, 52 yards, 1 touchdown) for a new touchdown in the middle of the last quarter (14-35). The match is decided.
Frankie Luvu (LB) allows himself to force a fumble to give the ball back to the Commanders. Again for Jeremy McNicholls who doubled his touchdown total five minutes from the end of the match (14-42). Washington relaxes, proud of the work accomplished.
A rookie quarterback chosen second in the draft, a dominant running game, an offensive line without flashy names but which holds up… The Commanders look a little more like the Texans of 2024 week after week.
