The Washington Commanders have already equaled their win total from last season after beating the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, 34-13, to improve to 4-1.
It's the first time that the Commanders won four of their first five games since 2008.
During that year, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was only eight years old. Today, he's at the forefront of the early surge of the squad. Against the Browns, he threw for 238 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 11 times for 82 yards.
In the process, Daniels became the first rookie in NFL history to tally 1,000-plus passing yards and 250-plus rushing yards in his first five games.
While his teammates have been calling the 23-year-old signal-caller Superman, according to ESPN's John Keim, Commanders coach Dan Quinn has a different nickname for Daniels.
Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
It was revealed during Quinn's mic'd up moment against the Browns, as shared by the NFL on X.
"That's the wolf!" beamed Quinn. "That's the (expletive) wolf."
He also called his other players a wolf.
Dan Quinn: Player's Coach@Commanders | @nflfilms pic.twitter.com/IvP5GOzCfB
— NFL (@NFL) October 8, 2024
With Daniels leading the pack, Washington became the first team since 1970 to score 150-plus points in its first five games while starting a rookie quarterback, according to the Commanders website.
Drafted as the No. 2 overall pick, Daniels has been exactly what the doctor ordered for the previously listless Commanders. But he's remained even-keeled despite his stellar play and the team's winning record.
"I'm just excited for those guys to have this feeling," said Daniels in a Keim's report. "It's exciting times. But we have to get back to work. We're on to the next week now."
Daniels will face an acid test when they go up against reigning MVP Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.
Related: Jayden Daniel's Two-Word Reaction After Making NFL History
Related: Former First-Round Pick Compares Jayden Daniels to NFL MVP