Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels ‘grateful’ for leading Washington to first playoff win since 2005 season: ‘Happy for everybody, including myself’ …

A fresh face who plays like an old hand, Jayden Daniels was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft and is the No. 1 reason there’s a fervor surrounding the Washington Commanders the likes of which hasn’t been seen in decades.

Having quickly helped to rebuild a franchise and assemble a reputation for coming through in the clutch, Daniels rallied the Commanders to a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter to lift Washington to its first playoff triumph since the 2005 season with a 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night.

“I don’t know, I can’t really explain it, obviously I’m grateful to have the opportunity,” Daniels told reporters after the game. “I’m happy for the fanbase and franchise, everything it’s been through, to get to this point, so I’m just grateful and happy for everybody, including myself, too.”

Piloting the sixth-seeded Commanders to a win over the third-seeded Bucs was a historical endeavor on its own, but there was plenty more to be grateful for and celebrate.

Daniels compiled 268 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-35 passing, while adding a team-high 36 rushing yards. He became the first rookie to lead his team in passing and rushing in a playoff victory, per NFL Research.

As for the Washington franchise, Daniels became just the second rookie QB ever to win a playoff game and the first since Hall of Fame legend “Slinging” Sammy Baugh did it in 1937. That was the franchise’s first year in Washington D.C. after moving from Boston. Times have changed, and perhaps that’s the biggest highlight symbolized by Sunday.

Historic as his endeavors are, the wild-card win saw the same Daniels his teammates have grown to know in short order.

“I mean, he’s done it all year,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “I think we kind of came into this game not thinking it was any different, we understand it’s playoffs, but it’s still the same game, and that’s kind of what we’ve been preaching all week, didn’t want to make this game bigger than it was. Obviously, the stakes were a little bit different, but he came in and played the game that we know he’s capable of playing, and he did a great job.”

Daniels has been great most of his first season, but it’s the big moments in the big spots that have been so astounding.

The 24-year-old had three total touchdowns and completed 91.3% of his passes in his prime-time debut, a Monday night nail-biting win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3.

He scrambled for an eternity before letting fly on a Hail Mary to essentially end the Chicago Bears’ season on Oct. 27, while letting the Commanders faithful know anything was possible with him at quarterback.

Three weeks ago, he threw five touchdowns in a chaotic rally past the Philadelphia Eagles.

A week after that, he was marvelous to the tune of three TD passes and 127 rushing yards in an overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons that clinched Washington’s first playoff berth since 2020.

Then he arrived at his playoff debut.

“It’s been amazing, you know,” Wagner told NFL Network’s Sara Walsh after the game, “watching his growth and seeing all the work he put in all season, to see it kind of come to fruition right now has been good, it’s been a blessing.”

Trailing, 17-13, in the fourth quarter, Daniels and Co. couldn’t get in the end zone on four straight goal-to-go plays. However, a botched Baker Mayfield handoff gave the ball right back.

Washington was once more stymied before Daniels — on fourth-and-2 from the 5-yard line — hit Terry McLaurin for a score that led to a 20-17 lead.

Mayfield and the Bucs tied the game at 20 on the ensuing drive.

Daniels didn’t need to lead the Commanders on a two-minute rally. Instead, he had 4:41 left starting from his 30-yard line.

Daniels embarked on a game-winning drive, exemplifying the patience and poise far beyond his years, draining the clock and the Bucs’ aspirations.

He was 3 for 3 on the drive for 44 yards before a 4-yard run on third-and-2 allowed the Commanders to set up for a Zane Gonzalez game-winner that clanged in for a celebration.

Daniels and head coach Dan Quinn have not just given the Washington fanbase something to cheer about under new and welcomed ownership, but something to look forward to no matter how long this run lasts.

Quinn is in his first season at the Washington helm, but he spent six seasons as the Falcons head coach, captaining the squad to a Super Bowl appearance. He sees something special and distinct with Daniels.

“Jayden certainly is a big factor in that,” Quinn said when asked what was different about this team than others he’s been around. “I think if he had his heart rate monitor on and mine, they would not be the same in the game. His stays pretty consistently good, and sometimes I’m like the duck if you just saw the feet go under the water. But he really is, into that space, exceptional.”

The face of the franchise has been found after years of searching for a bona fide franchise QB floundered under the guise of poor leadership.

He showed it throughout an exceptional regular season and now in the postseason, earning a celebration anticipated for nearly 20 years.

Next stop is Detroit and looking to shock the world against the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

“I’m fortunate to play with him and see how much he’s grown this year, but that’s who he is,” McLaurin said. “He’s been blessed with unbelievable ability, but his ability to just be ready for any moment that comes his way is definitely special.”