NFL, Washington and Minnesota, the leaders you don’t expect. And Daniels looks like a veteran

There’s a guy surprising everyone in the NFL. Of course, he arrived as a great promise, and after winning the Heisman Trophy but, as is known, the National football league is truly another world. And instead Jayden Daniels, immediately at the helm of the Washington team, in a perennial crisis of identity (remember the Redskins?), of results (bad, bad) and global credibility (the Snyder management full of shadows and opaque to say the least), He is amazing for his leadership and competitive maturity.

The Commanders, as they call themselves after erasing their historic name, are winners for the first time since 2008 after 5 games. Four successes and a single knockout that bring smiles back to the fans of the American capital. And they owe a lot of it to this twenty-four year old who throws and runs in the NFL as if he’s been doing it all his life.

Against the Cleveland Browns he also overcame an interception and a few too many throwing errors to lead his team to another victory. Washington is – finally – making the most of the great qualities of receiver Mac Laurin and the attack is racking up yards and points in sequence. A surprise.

“Stay the course. Don’t get too high, get too low. Everything will be fine,” is Daniels’ mantra for leading the attack in the alternating phases of a match. He repeated it yesterday at the end of the match to reporters who asked him why he had a higher number of incompletes than usual, i.e. in previous matches. “I just missed a few throws (14 of 25 for 328 yards), that’s all. I wish I had avoided some incompletes, but it’s also true that we managed to capitalize on some plays.”

Very true. In a less than perfect game he also ran for 82 yards and signed the longest touchdown pass of his young career. In detail, his highlights: a 66-yard run for Terry McLaurin and a 41-yard run for Dyami Brown, the latter action after asking offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for the possibility of going deep. “He called the play and we made it,” said Daniels, who gave way to Marcus Mariota with 12:50 left and the outcome of the game already determined.

Washington raises its head and the enthusiasm returns. It was not and is not considered a top team but what do they say?, winning helps you win. It’s early days, but it’s a good start for Commanders, right?

And speaking of good starts, what about the Vikings? Five victories out of five races, let’s be honest, unforeseeable. This time in the international match on the Tottenham field Minnesota defeated the Jets but the defense made the difference. Aaron Rodgers, who also reached the record of 60,000 yards thrown in the NFL, the ninth QB to do so, had a complicated afternoon. Thrice intercepted, with Andrew Van Ginkel returning the ball for a touchdown, he was unable to resume the game despite a strong second half.

Sam Darnold rather inconsistent, on the Viking side, with 14 out of 31 passes for 179 yards and one interception. He also took a blow and who knows if he wasn’t affected by it. Justin Jefferson in six receptions gained 92 yards. Minnesota moves forward until when is the big question of the season.

MINNESOTA 23 THE Jets 17

CHICAGO 36 Carolina 10

HOUSTON 23 Buffalo 20

Baltimore 41 CINCINNATI 38 (OT)

JACKSONVILLE 37 Indianapolis 34

Miami 15 NEW ENGLAND 10

WASHINGTON 34 Cleveland 13

Arizona 24 SAN FRANCISCO 23

DENVER 34 Las Vegas 18

Green Bay 24 LA RAMS 19

NY Giants 29 SEATTLE 20

Dallas 20 PITTSBURGH 17