Jayden Daniels, Commanders clobber Cardinals 42-14

Jayden Daniels passed for one touchdown and ran for another as the Washington Commanders used a balanced attack to dominate the Arizona Cardinals 42-14 on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. Daniels threw his first career interception but was otherwise sharp, completing 26 of 30 passes for 233 yards as Washington (3-1) won its third in a row and second straight on the road. Brian Robinson carried 21 times for 101 yards and a touchdown while Jeremy McNichols added 68 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. The Commanders' efficient offense rolled up 449 yards compared to 296 yards for the Cardinals as Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury enjoyed a satisfying victory over an Arizona team he guided from 2019-22. As they have in every game this season, the Cardinals (1-3) scored a touchdown on their opening drive. But they struggled after that against the Commanders, who entered with the worst passer-rating defense in the league. Arizona's Kyler Murray completed 16 of 22 passes for 142 yards and touchdown. James Conner added 104 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Cardinals rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had five receptions for 45 yards and a touchdown, his fourth this season. Dorance Armstrong led the Commanders' defense with 1.5 sacks. One came on a fourth-down play in the final minute of the first half to set up a 45-yard field goal by Austin Seibert, which put Washington up 17-7. Seibert, who signed earlier this month, made another field goal in the third quarter to remain perfect on his 10 field-goal attempts in three games with Washington. After the Cardinals scored on their opening drive, with Murray completing a 2-yard fade pass to Harrison on fourth down, the Commanders answered on the ensuing possession. Robinson's 6-yard run up the middle capped a 70-yard drive that tied it 7-7. After that, the Commanders' defense dominated the rest of the half, forcing three straight punts and ending another drive on downs. Washington took the lead for good on its second possession as McNichols scored on a 27-yard touchdown run. It was the first touchdown for the journeyman since 2020 and it capped a 93-yard march in which Daniels completed 5-of-5 passes, including four for first downs. On its first possession of the second half, Washington increased its lead to 24-7 as Daniels scored on a 9-yard run. --Field Level Media