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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Bryan Manning

Jayden Daniels’ touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin was the most improbable of 2024 season

For the first two weeks, Washington fans wondered when rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and star wide receiver Terry McLaurin would get on the same page.

In Washington’s season-opening loss to Tampa Bay, McLaurin broke open deep on a couple of occasions, and either Daniels missed him or didn’t throw it.

McLaurin, as always, remained patient. Daniels missed McLaurin deep again in the first half of Monday night’s 38-33 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. However, that disappointment was short-lived as the rookie passer finally connected deep with McLaurin for a 55-yard completion to set up first-and-goal and the Commanders’ second touchdown.

The duo wasn’t finished, though. In the fourth quarter, up 31-26 with over two minutes remaining, the Commanders faced a third-and-7. Would offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury play it safe and go for the field goal?

Of course, he wouldn’t. Instead, Kingsbury showed complete faith in his rookie quarterback, who delivered a strike to McLaurin in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown. It was a picture-perfect throw and catch.

Here’s the play:

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1838409377935691793

Next Gen Stats tracked the throw and catch, calling it the most improbable touchdown reception at 10.3% of the 2024 season thus far. And, more incredibly, the most improbable Commanders’ completion in the Next Gen Stats (2016 to now).

https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1838411501516063050

It was a breakout night for the Daniels/McLaurin connection as Washington’s passing game continues to evolve.

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