'Like a movie': NFL rookie Jayden Daniels completes stunning last-second Hail Mary touchdown pass
Updated . First published at
Jayden Daniels had two simple thoughts going through his head with the Washington Commanders needing to make a long-distance throw to beat the Chicago Bears.
“Buy some time and don’t throw the ball out of bounds," Daniels said.
Daniels scrambled around for nearly 13 seconds and heaved the ball from the Washington 35-yard line with no time on the clock.
The pass tipped off the hands of Zach Ertz short of the goal line and into the waiting arms of Noah Brown, who was standing alone in the end zone, for a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown that gave the Commanders an improbable 18-15 victory on Monday (AEST).
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The rookie quarterback never even saw Brown make the catch.
Noah Brown catches the winning touchdown against the Bears. Getty
“I just heard people screaming and our sideline rushing the field. That’s how I knew,” the rookie quarterback said post-game.
“That’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not too many people get to experience stuff like that.”
Daniels' heroics came after his side fell behind with 25 seconds left on the clock.
Three completions later, Daniels added his best highlight yet to a season that has made him the favourite to be AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and a genuine MVP candidate.
“We’re blessed to have ‘5’ leading this team - the things he can do is special,” Brown.
“I wouldn’t want to play with any other quarterback.”
Offensive lineman Sam Cosmi said it was “like a movie.”
“Front-row seats to something amazing,” Cosmi said. "That was just crazy. This will always stick in my head forever. What a moment."
On the incredible final play, Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson could be seen taunting rival fans seconds before he and his teammates gave up the touchdown.
Video posted on social media showed Stevenson pointing toward the stands and raising his arms in the air with his back to the play when the ball was snapped.
He was late to get to the play and missed the chance to prevent Zach Ertz from tipping the ball up for Noah Brown to catch in the end zone.
Stevenson has since apologised for the moment of madness.
"It comes down to that last play and we've practised that play a hundred times since we've been here," Bears coach Matt Eberflus said.
"I'll have to look at what the execution was on that, but we have a body on a body, boxing guys out like basketball at the very end. We have one guy at the rim that knocks the ball down. We've got a tip guy that goes behind the pile.
"I've got to look at it and detail it out and make sure we're better next time."
