Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury gets game ball after offense overwhelms Cardinals

Kingsbury downplayed his return to Arizona last week, noting that he has “only positive memories” despite the ending. Some Commanders players also had connections to the region: tight end Zach Ertz, who played for the Cards from 2021 to 2023, and Daniels, who began his college career at Arizona State. Ertz noted that they all had to keep their emotions under control.

“If we placed more importance on this or any other play than necessary, we would be doing our teammates a disservice,” Ertz said, via the Washington Post.

Kingsbury’s offense is on an unprecedented run.

Through four weeks, Washington has had 23 shots on goal with just 19 incomplete passes and four punts. According to NFL Research, the 1973 Rams are the only other team in the Super Bowl era to have more shots on goal (21) than incomplete passes (14) in the first four games of a season.

Daniels was sensational from the start, completing 82.1 percent of his passes, the most ever in a team’s first four games of a season (all QBs, not just rookies). Credit to Kingsbury for helping put the rookie signal caller in positive situations and ensuring the QB has an answer on every play.

The Commanders lead the NFC East after four games.

“It’s fun right now how we came together and played as a unit,” receiver Terry McLaurin said. “If you do that and take advantage of opportunities, then you have the chance to win big games like this. We’re happy to celebrate on the way back, but get ready to go back home (to play a good Browns team).”