Rookie Quarterbacks Shine: Daniels, Maye, and Nix Lead Surge in Historic Week 8 Performances
Three rookie quarterbacks – Washington’s Jayden Daniels, New England’s Drake Maye (first-career win) and Denver’s Bo Nix – earned wins in Week 8.
Between Daniels (six wins), Nix (five – the most-ever by a Broncos rookie), Chicago’s Caleb Williams (four) and Maye (one), rookie quarterbacks have combined for 16 wins this season, the second-most by rookie quarterbacks in the first eight weeks of a season since 1950, trailing only 2012 (17).
With Chicago’s Caleb Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Washington’s Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 selection, both starting against each of other in Week 8, it marked the sixth time in NFL history that the top two selections in the NFL Draft met as starting quarterbacks in their rookie season.
Nix recorded four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing) and a 124.2 passer rating in Week 8, becoming the fourth rookie quarterback with at least three touchdown passes, one rushing touchdown and a passer rating of 120-or-higher in a game since 2000, joining Justin Herbert (Jan. 3, 2021), Cam Newton (Dec. 24, 2011) and Deshaun Watson (Oct. 1, 2017).
Daniels and the Washington Commanders pulled off a miracle Sunday. After falling behind 15-12 to the Chicago Bears with 23 seconds left, all that was left for Daniels was to heave one as far as he could on the final play and hope.
The ball was tipped among a group of players and somehow Noah Brown was there in the end zone all alone to grab it for a 52-yard score and an 18-15 win.
It was pretty wild to see!
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