Jayden Daniels Reacts to Dan Quinn's Controversial Call: 'I Always Trust the Coaches'

Even though the play was unsuccessful, Washington Commanders Jayden Daniels had no problem with head coach Dan Quinn's decision to go for it on fourth down midway through the fourth quarter in Thursday's 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Daniels told reporters after the game he trusts Quinn and the coaching staff to make the right decisions that put the team in the best position to win.

"I trust the coaching staff and the decision they made," Daniels said. "I'm always a part of, 'Hey, let's go for it.' I trust my teammates. I trust the unit. So, I always trust the coaches. I never question them."

The play occurred with 8:02 remaining and Washington on the Eagles' 26-yard line facing a fourth-and-2 trailing 12-10. Daniels bobbled the snap, throwing off the timing of the play, and he was tackled by Zack Baun before being able to turn the corner to get the first down.

There is an argument for the Commanders to have kicked a field goal in that moment. A successful attempt would have put them up 13-12, but the Eagles would have had possession with nearly eight minutes on the clock to get a field goal of their own.

Few teams are better equipped to put together a long drive that eats seven minutes off the clock for a potential game-winning field goal than the Eagles because of what they can do in the running game with Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley.

Analytics did point to a field goal being the correct call for Washington in that situation, but it wasn't a strong recommendation.

A touchdown by the Commanders on that drive would have ensured the Eagles needed to get into the end zone. Washington almost certainly would have gone for two to extend the lead to 18-12, so Philadelphia also would have needed to convert an extra point after getting a touchdown to take the lead.

The Commanders have been one of the best fourth-down teams in the NFL this season. They converted each of their first 11 attempts and were 11-of-12 entering Thursday night.

If Daniels doesn't bobble the snap, he might have had enough time to get around the defense for a first down to keep the drive going.

Instead, the Eagles were able to get the stop. Their offense needed just five plays to go 74 yards to extend the lead, capped off by Barkley's 23-yard touchdown run.

Daniels' first pass on the Commanders' ensuing drive was picked off, leading to another touchdown from Barkley two plays later that sealed the win.

The Commanders have now lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. They are still in the playoffs with a 7-4 record, but they went from being the No. 2 seed before Sunday's games to the final wild card team in the NFC after losing to the Eagles.