The feud between Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels didn’t stop with the hype. It passed the hype.
The top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft doubled up for the first time when Williams’ Chicago Bears visited Daniels’ Washington Commanders on Sunday. Daniels, who was the decision of the games, almost did not play because of a rib injury. Not only did he make the play, but the rookie also delivered one of the highlights of the NFL season so far when his Hail Mary bounced around multiple defenders and found its way to wide receiver Noah Brown in the end zone for a shocking last-second touchdown:
It was a great play by Daniels, who bought time with his legs and danced before launching a pass from his own 35-yard line. And it overshadowed Williams’ heroics. No. 1 pick, from Washington, DC, led the Bears on a touchdown drive with 23 seconds left. His two-point conversion by tight end Cole Kmet put Chicago up 18-15, its first lead of the game.
Daniels and the Commanders will have the final say, however. And when the Hail Mary was successful, social media erupted with praise for Daniels and shock and awe at what we had all just witnessed.
Other respondents included NBA star Kevin Durant, actor Jeffrey Wright and rapper Wale—all longtime Commanders fans—as well as NFL stars Patrick Queen and Joe Mixon and former New Orleans Saints Pro Bowler Michael Thomas, fans. Noah Brown went to Ohio State.
Here’s what some FOX Sports NFL analysts had to say about the game and its impact:
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