Jayden Daniels has Washington off to its first 3-1 start since 2011

Jayden Daniels had not yet turned 11 the last time Washington opened an NFL season 3-1. It was 2011, things went sideways on the way to a 5-11 finish and the result was the drafting of the organization's previous great hope at quarterback, Robert Griffin III.

Daniels is bringing 2012 Griffin-like magic to the Commanders, completing 82.1% of his passes for the best four-game start to a season of any QB in league history and creating seven touchdowns in the process. But there are plenty of signs that this team and this Heisman Trophy-winning No. 2 pick have more staying power than some of the others that have brought the hype only to see it evaporate.

“It’s not any magic that’s going into this,” coach Dan Quinn said on a video call with reporters Monday, less than 24 hours after his team routed Arizona 42-14. "To think he would start like this, no, I don’t think anybody would’ve said that. But what I would say is that if you’re around him, you feel this work ethic and there’s no magic pixie dust that we’re throwing into him. It is absolutely grinding, working and a lot of confidence comes from that because he can enter the game knowing that he put the work in.”

Quinn notices Daniels doing video work into the night, and this past offseason the LSU product showing up to the team facility extra early for his own personal walkthroughs became part of the lore that preceded his debut. What has followed has been nothing short of spectacular, and Daniels has surged into a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Veteran tight end Zach Ertz said it's as though Daniels and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have been working together for several years.

“Him and Kliff are so in sync right now. They’re dialed in,” Ertz said. "But we can’t get too high. We probably have one of the best defenses coming into our stadium next Sunday with the Browns. It’s going to be a great game, and that’s all our focus now.”

Washington opened as a 3-point favorite on BetMGM Sportsbook, with Cleveland (1-3) coming off a loss to Las Vegas.

The defense, which got gashed by Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener and struggled against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, allowed Kyler Murray and the Cardinals to gain just 296 yards. The Commanders forced three fumbles and recovered one.

After early concerns about communication miscues, this unit looks to be on the same page.

“More communication, you get to play even faster and absolutely cut it loose with no hesitation,” Quinn said. “The faster we play, the more aggressive we play, those are when some of the takeaways and the hits and things happen.”

Quinn was not happy with several penalties called against his players, including a couple of flags for taunting. Even though he defended running back Jeremy McNichols' celebration as an homage to Usain Bolt, and not a bow and arrow as the officials thought, expect the coaching staff to make post-whistle conduct a point of emphasis this week.

“If you don’t step on them right now, then those things fester, and so we’re not going to do that,” Quinn said.

Even with Austin Ekeler out because of a concussion, the Commanders' running game remains an area of strength, and it's not just because of Brian Robinson Jr. Enter McNichols, a 28-year-old journeyman who mostly has been a special teams player.

All McNichols did was run eight times for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

“It was a team deal," McNichols said. "The offensive line was blocking their butts off. The tight ends (and) receivers out there made my job easier. I’m just out there to help my team win.”

This is nit-picking during a three-game winning streak, but with no clear-cut No. 2 wide receiver behind Terry McLaurin, each week there are fewer throws to go around for someone else. The latest in that run is Dyami Brown, who was targeted just once for four yards, but given Daniels' ability to spread the ball around, the Browns game could be the polar opposite.

Starting left guard Nick Allegretti exited with an ankle injury that Quinn said the team would monitor as the week goes on. Ekeler's status moving forward is unclear after being concussed Week 3 at Cincinnati.

33 — The number of years since Washington scored 38 or more points in back-to-back games. That 1991 team went on to win the Super Bowl.

Asked about how his players should handle this recent success, Quinn said he wants “no tickets to the roller coaster." The biggest challenge now is handling the weight of expectations, with playoffs being talked about around the Commanders for the first time in several years.

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

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn talks to his players prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols (26) celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle Trent Scott (73) 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 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)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) throws under pressure from Arizona Cardinals defensive end L.J. Collier (91) 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 his touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

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 leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, 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)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) scrambles 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) takes the field prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Vance Joseph's defense is playing so well that even without its leading tackler, the Denver Broncos held Aaron Rodgers without a touchdown pass. Only five other times has the four-time MVP been held without a TD throw in a home game where he took every offensive snap.

The Broncos also sacked the notoriously difficult-to-sack quarterback five times in their 10-9 triumph at the stormy Meadowlands that completed a two-game sweep of their Eastern road trip and evened their record at 2-2.

“Our defense played amazing,” Bo Nix said after throwing for just 60 yards but also his first touchdown pass of his career.

The Broncos surrendered just one touchdown and three field goals on their 10-day road trip leading into a stretch in which they'll play three of four at home.

“I'll tell you what, we've got some grit and we're a tough football team,” Nix said.

Even without defensive captain Alex Singleton, whose season is over after tearing an ACL at Tampa last week.

“Yeah, it was huge to go on the road, get two tough wins against two really good football teams, two tough defenses, two tough offenses, you can’t say enough about our defense on this winning stretch,” Nix said.

A year after allowing Breece Hall to rush for 177 yards on 22 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown that put the Jets ahead for good on their way to a 31-21 win in Denver, the Broncos shut down New York's star running back.

Hall managed just 4 yards on 10 carries on Sunday, with a long run of 3 yards.

The Broncos held the Jets to 4 of 17 on third down a week after limiting the Buccaneers to 3 of 11. For the season, Denver is yielding a stellar 28.3% conversion rate.

“They’re going to continue to give us the ball back. Now, we’ve got to find ways to score, more than just a few points,” Nix said.

The five sacks included one by John Franklin-Myers, who also had a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in his return to the Meadowlands following his offseason trade to Denver.

Replacing Singleton, who was placed on season-ending IR, inside linebacker Justin Strnad recorded his first career sack on the game's first snap.

Cody Barton called Denver's defense and led the team in tackles with 10.

“Those guys stepped up,” coach Sean Payton said Monday. “It's always difficult when you lose someone who's been as productive and certainly one of the team leaders. I was proud of the way those young guys played.”

Ben Kotwica's special teams, especially the coverage units. K Wil Lutz missed his first field-goal attempt this year in the waning minutes after making his first 10 tries, and it would have been a killer had Greg Zuerlein not followed suit, also missing from 50 yards.

“Honestly, you just got to put your hope in the defense,” Nix said. “It’s a scary sight with (Rodgers) with the ball at the end, but our defense came out today and won the game.”

The ground game finally got going and that saved the day for Denver. But the Broncos are going to need some big leaps in the passing game.

Javonte Williams finally broke out in a big way in the sloppy field conditions Sunday. He ran for 77 yards on 16 carries, and Jaleel McLaughlin followed suit with nine runs for 46 yards.

TE Greg Dulich caught zero passes and had just one pass thrown his way on the two-game swing out East. That means he has just five catches for 28 yards so far.

RB Tyler Badie (back), who collapsed on the sideline after taking a helmet to his back, flew home commercially Sunday night after being released from the hospital. “We're still evaluating him, he's doing better,” Payton said.

5 — TDs allowed by Denver through four games, the fewest in that span since 2009.

10 — different Broncos have recorded at least half a sack.

The Broncos host the Raiders, who have beaten them eight consecutive times. Take away games against each other and since 2020 the Raiders are 24-35 and the Broncos are 25-33.

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

This story has been corrected to show Aaron Rodgers hasn't thrown a TD pass in a home game six times in his career.

Denver Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad (40) sacks New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bryan Woolston)

Denver Broncos defensive end Zach Allen (99) reacts after sacking New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) reacts after throwing his first touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is sacked by the Denver Broncos during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)