GLENDALE, ARIZ. — It seemed like the Washington Commanders’ uber-efficient offense had finally slowed down through the first two quarters of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw the first interception of his career, and the team called on punter Tress Way for the first time since Week 1.
But after offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury — the former coach of the Cardinals — made some halftime adjustments, the offense rediscovered its groove, posting points on each of its four second-half possessions and cruising to a 42-14 beatdown of Arizona.
Coach Dan Quinn rewarded the play-caller’s efforts with a game ball.
“A lot of game balls will be handed out tomorrow, but there’s one m—————- who’s not leaving this city without one,” the first-year coach of the Commanders said. “Kliff!”
The players erupted with an ovation that could be distinctly heard from the tunnel outside the locker room.
The two offenses looked evenly matched early on, trading long touchdown possessions on the first two drives.
But then Washington’s defense (finally) stepped up.
Quinn had long cited concerns about his squad’s third-down performance, which ranked among the worst in the league. The typically porous group stopped the Cardinals on five of their first six third-down attempts, including a pair of clutch stops to force a turnover on downs as time ticked down in the second quarter.
“We feed off each other,” said defensive end Dorance Armstrong, who added a pair of sacks. “When you’re making plays left and right, it’s contagious.”
With 29 seconds left in the half, Daniels led the Commanders into field-goal range. Kicker Austin Seibert converted his ninth consecutive kick for the Burgundy and Gold to open up a 17-7 lead at the half.
“That was big,” linebacker Bobby Wagner said. “When you have a very explosive offense, anytime you can get them the ball back as fast as you can and let them put points up, it’s big.”
That end-of-half momentum swing carried into the second half.
Before fans could return to their seats after halftime, Daniels and the Commanders were back at it, soaring into Cardinals’ territory. A 47-yard defensive pass interference penalty allowed the rookie to scamper in for a 9-yard rushing touchdown just 1 minute and 8 seconds into the third quarter.
Daniels ended the game with 233 yards and a touchdown on 26-of-30 pass attempts. He added 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The trip to Arizona was a homecoming for Washington’s rookie signal-caller, who started his college career at Arizona State. But, even after he earned his first Player of the Week award and reminisced on his time with the Sun Devils, Daniels kept his cool.
“He handled it like a G,” Quinn said after the game.
Meanwhile, Murray and the Cardinals (1-3) opened the second half with the same struggles that plagued them earlier on Sunday afternoon. A pair of holding penalties put the offense behind the sticks. Murray took a sack. Suddenly, it was third-and-34.
The crowd turned on the home team after the Cardinals ran the ball up the middle to set up the subsequent punt.
Washington’s defense had its best game of the season on Sunday, recording four sacks and holding Murray to just 142 yards through the air.
Running back James Conner carried Arizona’s struggling offense on a scoring drive to end the third quarter, bringing the Cardinals’ deficit to 13.
The Pittsburgh product finished with 104 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, but it wasn’t enough.
Though Arizona clicked on its scoring drives, the rest of the game slipped through their fingertips. On the two touchdown possessions, the Cardinals posted 129 yards. They added just 149 yards in the remaining seven drives.
While the Cardinals’ offense struggled with consistency, the Commanders leaned on their running attack to speed up the game. With veteran running back Austin Ekeler sidelined with an injury, the task fell to Brian Robinson Jr. and Jeremy McNichols, who was named a gameday captain.
The backs didn’t miss a beat, recording a combined 169 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
“It was a team deal. Offensive line was blocking their butts off. … I’m just here to help my team win,” McNichols said. “Winning is hard in this league, so when we get the opportunity, the energy’s got to be high.”
In the Commanders’ locker room on Sunday night, the music was loud and the smiles were bright. The postgame meal tastes a bit sweeter after a third-consecutive win.
“It’s fun times right now,” said wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who recorded seven catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
After back-to-back road games, the Commanders will return to Northwest Stadium on Sunday to host the Cleveland Browns.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.