The Washington Commanders enter Week 9 at 3–5, teetering between irrelevance and resurgence. And now, they find themselves under the lights of Sunday Night Football, facing a 5–3 Seattle Seahawks team that’s disciplined and loaded with youth-infused talent.
Washington will be without Terry McLaurin once again, Deebo Samuel Sr. remains banged up, and the offense has been anything but consistent. Yet, there’s still a sense of belief. There’s still that lingering feeling that, if Jayden Daniels is on the field, the Commanders have a shot.
Because the bottom line? When Daniels is under center, everything changes.
Commanders know they always have a shot with Jayden Daniels under center
The second-year quarterback hasn’t had the linear rise some expected following a sensational rookie campaign that won him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Injuries have limited him, and other varying outliers have minimized his impact.
But his mere presence on the field transforms the energy of the roster — the rhythm, the confidence, the execution. The former LSU phenom's ability to mask offensive inefficiencies is the great equalizer. For all of Washington’s holes — protection breakdowns, inconsistent weapons, and a running game that’s been up and down — Daniels gives them a chance to compete.
Sometimes, that’s all that matters.
Every franchise has its fulcrum. For the Buffalo Bills, it’s Josh Allen. For the Baltimore Ravens, it’s Lamar Jackson. And as Washington saw last week, for the Kansas City Chiefs, it’s Patrick Mahomes.
In Washington, it’s Daniels.
The difference between a Commanders offense led by Daniels and one without him isn’t just visible — it’s visceral. The entire tempo of the unit changes when he’s under center. He’s decisive, fearless, and has that rare improvisational instinct that can turn broken plays into game-defining moments.
Inside the pocket, Daniels continues to mature as a processor. He’s learning to pick apart zone looks, manipulate defenders with his eyes, and find intermediate windows with consistency. His footwork, at times, can betray him— a product of still-developing rhythm — but his compact throwing motion and natural feel for velocity and touch keep him in rhythm.
Despite his exuberant personality, there’s a calmness to his game, a quiet confidence that’s palpable when he’s operating the offense. Then there’s the other part — the chaos, the creativity, the dynamism that makes him special.
When he breaks containment, the defense panics. His speed isn’t just a luxury; it’s a weapon that demands a spy, compresses coverage, and forces defensive coordinators to play honestly. It’s the kind of dual-threat gravity that makes everyone around him better. Receivers get more space to separate. Tight ends find soft zones. The running game opens up.
Even the offensive line looks steadier when Daniels is dictating tempo with quick decisions and movement.
And in a week where the Commanders will debut their Super Bowl era uniforms under the prime-time lights, the stage is tailor-made for their young quarterback to make a statement.
Daniels has already shown flashes in 2025 — stretches where he’s looked like one of the most electric players in football. His ability to elevate Washington’s offense isn’t hypothetical; it’s historical.
Last season, when he was on the field, the Commanders averaged nearly eight more points per game than when he was sidelined. That’s not a coincidence — it’s the mark of a quarterback who changes everything.
The Seahawks, for their part, bring a defense that thrives on pressure and disguised looks. They’ll test Daniels’ patience and his ability to see the entire field. But they’ll also have to contain him — something easier said than done.
Whether he’s escaping the pocket, sliding through tight windows, or simply making something out of nothing, Daniels has the kind of creative control that can flip a game on its head.
For a Washington team trying to claw back into the NFC playoff picture, this is the moment. A win on Sunday night doesn’t just get them to 4–5; it resets the tone heading into a critical Week 10 matchup against the Detroit Lions.
And for all the talk about who’s healthy, who’s missing, or how Washington’s offense looks on paper — the truth is simple: if No. 5 is under center, they have a chance.