Commanders Opener Shows Promise of Daniels-Led Offense

Jayden Daniels didn’t just manage Washington’s offense in the opener. He set the tone for what this team hopes to become in 2025. The second-year quarterback threw for 233 yards and a touchdown, added 68 rushing yards, and looked composed in a 21–6 win over the Giants that hinted at a more dynamic Commanders attack. It was a performance that gave fans a glimpse of how the offense might evolve with Daniels at the center.

For Daniels, the story wasn’t just efficiency. He spread the ball to seven different receivers and stayed turnover-free despite taking three sacks. Still, it wasn’t perfect. A handful of missed throws stalled drives, a reminder that he’s still refining his rhythm in Quinn’s offense. That combination of poise and areas to improve is exactly what Washington expected to see as it continues to build around him.

The ground game, though, might be the bigger headline. Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown in his debut, finishing with 82 yards on 10 carries. Daniels’ legs added another dimension, and veteran Austin Ekeler provided change-of-pace consistency. With Jeremy McNichols and even Deebo Samuel chipping in, Washington piled up 220 rushing yards. A backfield that once looked thin suddenly feels like a strength and gives the offense balance it lacked last season.

Defensively, the Commanders looked sturdier than they did a year ago. Daron Payne and Dorance Armstrong recorded sacks, Bobby Wagner led the way with 10 tackles, and the reshaped secondary held its ground. Marshon Lattimore and Trey Amos limited the Giants on the perimeter, while Quan Martin and Will Harris kept the middle tight. It wasn’t flashy, but it was controlled, and that control is exactly what Quinn’s system demands.

Special teams did their job. Matt Gay hit all three extra points, Tress Way averaged 49 yards per punt, and Deebo Samuel added 50 yards on returns. Washington didn’t need a spark there, just stability, and that’s what it got. In games that figure to be closer than this one, consistency in the kicking and return game could prove to be just as important as the offense or defense.

So what does it all mean? For Quinn, it’s a sign his team can win in different ways. Daniels gave them efficiency through the air, and the run game provided explosiveness. The defense forced the Giants to drive the length of the field and came up with timely stops. Those are the building blocks of a team that can contend in the NFC East and push past last season’s shortcomings.

One game won’t define a season, but it did show a Commanders team that looks steadier, deeper, and more versatile than it did a year ago. For Daniels, the next step will be turning a clean debut into a more polished, consistent attack. That means cutting down on stalled drives and connecting on some of the throws he missed against New York. For Quinn, it’s exactly the kind of start that can build momentum quickly, and it gives Washington a platform to grow as the schedule toughens.