Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week Award goes to Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Just one week after leading the Commanders to its first playoff win in 19 years, the 24 year old rookie quarterback out of LSU led his team to a massive upset win, taking out the NFC’s top seed Detroit Lions 45-31 on the road, handing Detroit only its third loss all year.
In the win, Daniels completed 71% of his passes for 299 yards and 2 touchdowns, adding 51 yards rushing on 16 carries. Most importantly, he did not turn the ball over and did not take a sack.
Through two games, Daniels has 4 touchdown passes and 567 yards through the air to go along with 87 yards on the ground with no turnovers.
Washington now heads to its first NFC Championship Game since the last year the franchise won the Super Bowl in 1991, where they’ll take on division rival Philadelphia for the right to go to Super Bowl 59.
It’s a miracle run for Washington, which is operating with a rookie quarterback, first year head coach, first year offensive coordinator, first year general manager, and new ownership.
Yet, the Commanders won more games this year than they’ve won since its last title in 1991, as Daniels looks to become the first rookie in NFL history to start in the Super Bowl.
One win against the Eagles away from adding to what is already a historic run in Washington.
The DMV saw eight teams in action this past week, including the Washington Commanders, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, and the Georgetown, George Washington, Maryland, Howard, and American basketball teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 carries in Washington’s win over Detroit on Saturday.
Washington Commanders Cornerback Mike Sainristill had two interceptions in the Commanders win over top-seeded Detroit on Saturday night.
Washington Wizards Guard Jordan Poole poured in 38 points in Washington’s 122-114 loss to Golden State on Saturday night.
Washington Capitals’ Winger Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning overtime goal in a 1-0 win over Ottawa on Thursday night.
Washington Capitals Goalie Logan Thompson gave up just one goal in three games this past week, putting together back-to-back shutouts against Anaheim and Ottawa while saving 43 shots across the two shutouts.
George Washington Forward Rafael Castro had 27 points and 13 rebounds in 35 minutes in Wednesday night’s loss to Duquesne.
Howard Basketball Guard Blake Harper had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the Bison’s win over Coppin State on Monday.
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders (12-5, 2nd in NFC East)
1/26 @ Philadelphia (NFL Playoffs - NFC Championship Game)
Washington Wizards (6-35, 15th in Eastern Conference)
1/21 @ Los Angeles Lakers
1/23 @ Los Angeles Clippers
1/25 @ Phoenix
Washington Capitals (31-10-5, 67 points - 1st in Metropolitan Division)
1/21 @ Edmonton
1/23 @ Seattle
1/25 @ Vancouver
Maryland Terrapins Basketball (14-5 overall, 4-4, 8th in Big 10)
1/23 @ #19 Illinois
1/26 @ Indiana
Georgetown Hoyas (12-6 overall, 3-4, 7th in Big East)
1/20 @ Villanova
1/25 @ Providence
George Washington Revolutionaries (13-5 overall, 2-3, 8th in Atlantic 10)
1/22 @ UMass
*1/25 vs. Saint Louis
Howard Bison Basketball (8-10 overall, 3-0, 1st in MEAC)
1/20 vs. Morehouse
1/25 @ Norfolk State
American University Eagles (10-9 overall, 4-2, 3rd in Patriot)
1/22 vs. Lehigh
1/25 vs. Colgate
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person
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