Rookie QB Daniels stars again in desert return, Commanders beat Cardinals 42-14 for 3rd straight

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jayden Daniels waited for a couple of blockers and then weaved forward for a 9-yard touchdown run, flipping the ball behind his back before doing a little dance and flashing a big smile in a successful desert return.

Washington's precocious rookie quarterback is making things look easy, almost instantly turning the Commanders (3-1) into one of the NFL's up-and-coming teams.

“Fun times right now,” Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin said.

Daniels threw for 233 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score, and the Commanders won their third straight with a 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Daniels — the No. 2 overall pick last spring — became the fourth quarterback in the Super Bowl era to run for four touchdowns in his first four career games, joining Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Anthony Richardson. The Commanders have scored at least 30 points in two straight games for the first time since 2017.

“It feels good that we're able to execute the gameplan, but we've still got room to grow," Daniels said.

Daniels completed 26 of 30 passes and has an absurd 82% completion percentage in his short career. He hit McLaurin for a 10-yard touchdown strike midway through the fourth quarter, and found Zach Ertz in the back of the end zone on the 2-point conversion, for an insurmountable 35-14 lead.

Jeremy McNichols ran for two touchdowns and Brian Robinson Jr. had 101 yards on the ground.

Daniels and Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury had successful homecomings.

Daniels played in college for three seasons at Arizona State before transferring to LSU, where he won the Heisman in 2023. Kingsbury was the head coach of the Cardinals from 2019-22, leading the franchise to the playoffs in 2021 before getting fired following a 4-13 season the following year.

Commanders coach Dan Quinn said he was particularly impressed with how the 23-year-old Daniels handled his return. Washington spent the week in Arizona and practiced all week on Arizona State's campus.

“You would have never known there was a history here,” Quinn said. “Stayed steady all the way through."

Washington took control early in the third quarter on Daniels' touchdown run that made it 24-7. The Commanders got a huge break on the previous play when Arizona's Sean Murphy-Bunting was called for pass interference on a deep ball, which resulted in a 47-yard penalty.

Arizona's James Conner had a 6-yard touchdown run near the end of the third quarter, cutting Washington's lead to 27-14. Conner ran for 104 yards. Kyler Murray completed 16 of 22 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown, but was sacked four times.

“Frustrated to get beat like that at home,” Murray said. “I thought we had a good week of practice, but we didn't come out here and show it. It was not good enough all around.”

Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon echoed Murray's disappointment.

“We can't look like that," he said. "Because we didn't give ourselves a chance to win the game.”

Washington's offense has been the talk of the NFL over the past few weeks. It scored on every drive during the past two games, with the exception of kneel downs, becoming the first team since at least 2000 to accomplish that feat.

The Commanders were back at it against the Cardinals (1-3), methodically moving down the field on their first two drives to take a 14-7 lead. The 16-possession streak ended midway through the second quarter when Arizona's Garrett Williams made a leaping grab for an interception, which was Daniels' first of the season.

Washington couldn't get a first down on their next offensive possession, either, so Tress Way had to punt for the first time since Sept. 8. But there was still much more good than bad from the Commanders' offense.

The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead on the opening offensive drive, finishing with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Murray to Marvin Harrison Jr. on a fourth-and-1 play. It was the rookie's fourth touchdown catch in three games.

Washington responded immediately, driving 70 yards on nine carries, capped by Robinson's 6-yard touchdown run. Robinson — who had a bigger role with Austin Ekeler was out with a concussion — ran for 38 yards on five carries during the drive.

The Commanders followed that up with a 93-yard touchdown drive that ended with McNichols running 27 yards down the left sideline for a 14-7 lead with 10:18 left in the second quarter.

Commanders: Ekeler (concussion) was among seven inactives.

Cardinals: TE Trey McBride (concussion) and DL Khyiris Tonga (knee) were among the team's inactives.

Commanders: Host Cleveland next Sunday.

Cardinals: At San Francisco next Sunday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, left, greets Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., right, pulls in a touchdown pass as Washington Commanders cornerback Noah Igbinoghene defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn watches play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr., center, runs in for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert (3) kicks a field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is sacked against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Washington Commanders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon walks the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is tackled by Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson (34) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ROGERS, Ark. (AP) — Jasmine Suwannapura made a 12-foot eagle putt on the second hole of a playoff with Lucy Li to win the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship on Sunday.

Suwannapura — playing in the group behind Li — also eagled the par-5 18th in regulation to force the playoff at Pinnacle Country Club. They each birdied the 18th on the first extra hole.

Suwannapura shot a career-best 10-under 61, playing the back nine in 7-under 28, to match Li at 17-under 196. Tied for 25th entering the day, Li shot a tournament-record and career-best 60, making her third eagle of the round on 18.

“Lucy was not the easy player to play in a playoff with, so I’m really glad to play and stay calm and stay within myself, play my game,” said Suwannapura, who jumped into husband-caddie Michael Thomas' arms after the winning putt. “Today happened, so I’m very happy.”

Suwannapura won her third LPGA Tour title, playing the last 22 holes without a bogey. The 31-year-old Thai player also won the 2018 Marathon Classic and teamed with Cydney Clanton to take the 2019 Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational.

“It’s been a long time, and there is a time that I think I probably not going to win again,” Suwannapura said. “But today everything just fall in the right place, right time. And we did it with my husband is even more special.”

Li, the 21-year-old American who played in the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open at age 11, missed a chance for her first LPGA Tour victory.

“I had honestly no clue that this was going to happen,” Li said. “I did not think I was in it at all. I mean, after two three-putts in the first four holes I was just like, `I don’t know.′ And then some magic came and I shot 60. Even though I didn’t win, just this is the greatest thing.”

Sei Young Kim was a stroke back after a 63. She made a 20-footer for eagle on 18.

Mao Saigo (65) and Arpichaya Yubol (66) tied for fourth at 14 under, and second-round leader Ashleigh Buhai (69) was sixth at 13 under.

University of Arkansas sophomore Maria Marin topped the Razorbacks contingent in the field, closing with a 69 to tie for 17th at 10 under in her first tour start.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Lucy Li, of the United States, hits her tee shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Lucy Li, of the United States, hits her tee shot on the first hole during the final round of the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Lucy Li, of the United States, lines up her shot on the 17th hole during the final round of the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Lucy Li, of the United States, putts the ball in the second playoff round on the 18th hole during the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Lucy Li, of the United States, reacts after sinking her putt for an eagle on the 18th hole of regulation play during the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, tees off on the first hole during the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates after sinking the winning putt in the second playoff round on the 18th hole during the final round of the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates with her trophy after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates with her trophy after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates with her caddie and husband Mike Thomas after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates with her trophy after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)

Jasmine Suwannapura, of Thailand, celebrates with her caddie and husband Mike Thomas after winning the LPGA Walmart NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)