LANDOVER, Md. — — Jayden Daniels’ well being was the very first thing on Marcus Mariota’s mind when he went into the game for the injured rookie quarterback. Then he just played football like he has his whole life.
After Daniels left with a rib injury, the Washington Commanders routed the Carolina Panthers 40-7 on Sunday behind two touchdown passes from Mariota and a 67-yard pick-6 of Andy Dalton by Dante Fowler.
“It takes a little bit to kind of get your feet going and all that, but, yeah, you’re just thinking about the player first and then from there you just go out there and try to to execute,” said Mariota, who was 18 of 23 for 205 yards with TD passes to tight ends Zach Ertz and Ben Sinnott.
Concern over Daniels’ status overshadowed the victory after the No. 2 pick and offensive rookie of the year favorite left with a rib injury. His mother posted on social media that “he is high quality,” however coach Dan Quinn stated solely that he had no replace and that Daniels would endure additional exams Monday.
The Commanders (5-2) did simply high quality with out Daniels for a overwhelming majority of the sport after he had a 46-yard run and accomplished a few passes on their opening possession. They already led at that time because of Fowler’s pick-6, Andy Dalton’s first of two interceptions, the second by Emmanuel Forbes, who returned from being a wholesome scratch final week.
After after catching his first interception of any type within the NFL, Fowler noticed open subject and thought, “It’s time to go rating a landing.”
“Man, it was like I used to be in a dream,” Fowler stated.
The protection dominated, permitting 180 yards, stopping seven of 10 third-down possibilities and sacking Dalton twice.
With Mariota working the present, Washington chugged alongside and racked up 421 yards in opposition to the Panthers (1-6), who allowed probably the most factors by means of of any crew within the Tremendous Bowl period by means of the primary six video games of a season.
“Between giving the ball method and simply not with the ability to get off the sector, I believe they scored on all however one drive,” stated Carolina coach Dave Canales, who dedicated to Dalton beginning subsequent week over 2023 No. 1 decide Bryce Younger.
Brian Robinson Jr. additionally ran for a landing in his return from a knee damage, which triggered him to overlook the sport final week at Baltimore — his crew’s first loss because the opener. The 27-point halftime lead was the franchise’s largest since being up 28-0 on Dallas on Dec. 18, 2005.
Carolina’s misplaced season continued 5 video games into Dalton supplanting Younger because the beginning QB. Dalton completed 11 of 16 for 93 yards, and Younger entered in mop-up responsibility with 4:55 left, finishing two passes for detrimental yardage.
“It received out of our palms fast,” Dalton stated. “We have now to look ourselves within the mirror and say, ‘Why do these video games preserve going like this?’ I believe that’s the most important factor.”
“On the finish of the day, we gained handily and I believe the protection did an unbelievable job,” stated Terry McLaurin, Washington’s main receiver with six catches for 98 yards.
Accidents
Panthers: RB Raheem Blackshear left with a shoulder damage from a kickoff return halfway by means of the third quarter. … TE Tommy Tremble (again) was inactive after being listed as questionable.
Commanders: Along with dropping Daniels, rookie LT Brandon Coleman was concussed within the first half.
Up subsequent
Panthers: At Denver subsequent Sunday.
Commanders: Host Chicago subsequent Sunday.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl