GLENDALE, Ariz. — Brian Robinson Jr. seemed surprised by his emotional state as an earnest smile crossed his face.
The third-year running back experienced postgame joy throughout his career at the University of Alabama. The highs have been more fleeting and buried beneath numerous failures in the pros. The 2022 final-month collapse cost the Washington Commanders a playoff berth. Last year’s season-ending eight-game losing streak led to multiple jobs lost.
The skid continued this season with a 17-point opening-game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that highlighted the concerns projected with this team. Yet Robinson, a hard-nosed power-back schooled by Nick Saban, stood inside a nearly empty visiting locker room at State Farm Stadium, processing the return of a long-lost feeling.
“I know I’m really showing a lot of excitement with winning,” Robinson said. “You know, just to let people know, it’s fun to win, man.”
Indeed it is.
Minutes earlier, as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and teammates bounded off the field, it was clear Robinson wasn’t the only one sorting through their emotions following Washington’s dominant 42-14 win over the Arizona Cardinals.
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Right guard Sam Cosmi and others were greeted enthusiastically by members of the ownership group and general manager Adam Peters outside the locker room. Cosmi, one of the holdovers who dealt with relentless chaos in recent years, bear-hugged minority partner Mitchell Rales. Being embraced by the sweat-covered lineman tasked with keeping Daniels’ jersey clean didn’t faze Rales, a lifelong burgundy and gold fan.
Once inside the locker room, booming roars were heard behind closed doors. Coach Dan Quinn’s postgame message included the announcement of, for now, a single game ball. “There is one (motherf—er) who isn’t leaving without one,” Quinn said before bellowing the first name of his offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury.
“Kliff!” screamed Quinn before a successful handoff to the former Cardinals head coach, who delivered a stellar game plan that put Daniels in positions for success. The Commanders dominated the Cardinals in yards (449 to 296), first downs (29 to 17) and on the scoreboard.
“Coming back facing his former team,” Daniels said, “I know it meant a lot to (Kliff).”
…KLIFF!!!!!!!@budlight | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/74IA9wRGCW
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 29, 2024
The executor of Kingsbury’s vision is the main proprietor of the organization’s new-found enthusiasm. Daniels, the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, has already flashed enough high-level talent to create the type of “what-if” scenarios star quarterbacks engender. Daniels, who has the best completion percentage (82.1) through four games in NFL history, finished 26-of-30 for 233 yards and a touchdown pass.
Daniels also scored his fourth rushing touchdown in four games. Touchdowns on the first two drives — rushing scores by Robinson and Jeremy McNichols — extended Washington’s streak of consecutive possessions with points to 16. Robinson had 101 yards on 21 carries. McNichols, replacing the injured Austin Ekeler (concussion), had touchdown runs of 27 and 7 yards and 74 total yards.
The quarterback did throw his first career interception on a pass to Terry McLaurin that sailed a bit. Daniels said there was no sideline discussion with coaches about the turnover, a testament to his prowess. He later hit McLaurin for a 10-yard touchdown.
JD5 ➡️ SCARY TERRY
📺 #WASvsAZ FOX pic.twitter.com/Uk5SzmnSvd
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 29, 2024
Stats alone don’t accurately tell Daniels’ glorious professional start. Whatever is thrown the rookie’s way, like a seven-point deficit before touching the ball for the second consecutive game or an avalanche of attention after his Monday night explosion, is easily swatted away.
“The kid is special,” said tight end Zach Ertz, who relished the victory over the organization that released him last year after three seasons with the Cardinals.
Daniels had his reunion this past week. He began his college career at Arizona State, starting three years before transferring to LSU. The Commanders also practiced on the Tempe campus throughout the week. Whatever memories came rushing back, Daniels, as the case on the field Sunday, never appeared stressed or worried.
“I knew there were some extra stories being here back at ASU,” Quinn said. “Much like Kliff, you would never have known that.”
However, one revelation emerged in the one-sided win. Daniels, it turns out, isn’t flawless. For the second consecutive game, he was damn close. More notably, for the first time in four games, Daniels didn’t need to be.
The Commanders’ defense throttled Kyler Murray, sacking the shifty quarterback four times. After Murray’s touchdown pass to rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. on the game’s opening drive, the Cardinals failed to score again until James Conner’s rushing touchdown with 11 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
On a fourth-and-1 at Washington’s 35 inside the final minute of the first half, defensive end Dorance Armstrong came off the edge to sack Murray. “He held the ball for a minute,” said Armstrong, who had 1 1/2 sacks.
The special teams unit contributed immediately by forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff, though Arizona recovered it. Kicker Austin Seibert made two field goals to remain perfect since joining Washington before Week 2. Then there’s Tress Way. The longest-tenured player on the roster had not punted since Week 1. After a rare three-and-out by the offense, Way whacked a 51-yard kick.
He also had his foot stepped on while running to celebrate with the coverage unit. “I felt like I got to experience (the game) again with a little pain, a little joy and, a lot of fun,” said the punter. “But this is a really good time.”
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Washington can produce well-rounded wins. Who knew? The players and coaches who spent weeks practicing and fine-tuning their craft had faith. They witnessed daily the calm vibe and dynamic playmaking that have become Daniels’ hallmarks while other rookie passers are laboring.
“Not surprised,” said linebacker Bobby Wagner, one of Washington’s top defenders who didn’t play in the preseason. “We knew we had a team, and we had the players. Just had to put it together.”
Last week, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said his group is “not playing the brand of ball that we want.” This is a fair evaluation since Washington ranked last in third-down conversion percentage allowed, and Cincinnati scored 33 points without punting or committing a turnover. Whitt continued with a revealing statement that came true on Sunday.
“We’re closer than people think,” he said.
The next round of league-wide and local topics will include where this Washington story goes now. Daniels’ ceiling is unlimited. The defense showed it’s capable of being a viable partner. The Commanders’ division rivals each have their own curious storylines.
Wagner, a 13-year veteran, isn’t ready to project. He’s seen teams go weeks without losing, only to crash by season’s end. But he also recognizes something is happening with this group. The rookie quarterback has much to do with the never-easy task of winning.
“It’s hard to win,” Robinson said. “Coming off a nine-game losing streak is very, very, very rocky. To get back on the upswing … it feels good.”
(Photo: Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
