LANDOVER, Md. — It’s OK, Commanders fans.

You don’t know what to do with yourselves, do you? You’re like Ricky Bobby.

This can’t be real, right? Not for this franchise, which has worn holes in your soul for three decades, beaten the care out of you with one embarrassing off- and on-field episode after another, made you put your tickets on the secondary market and led to off-the-charts bile readings every Monday morning. It’s been grim around here. Grim.

You have every reason to let cynicism and jaded history be your guide. None of the team’s three units is fully formed or totally functional.

But, it’s also OK to believe. Really.

It doesn’t mean Washington will be playing for a Lombardi Trophy any time soon. But the boulder is, at last, moving toward that, rather than rolling away from it.

At 4-1 and in first place in the NFC East after spanking the Cleveland Browns 34-13 at Northwest Stadium, the Commanders have already equaled their win total for all of last season. They didn’t even play that well in the first half Sunday, in what Dan Quinn called a “grimy” first 30 minutes. Jayden Daniels threw a bad interception at the Cleveland 5 in the first quarter, after … well, I can show you better than I can describe it:

Daniels keeps the play alive with an incredible 66-yard pass🔥

🎥: @NFL pic.twitter.com/nTAPNQ9iCt

— NFL on Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) October 6, 2024

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That was 66 yards, on the move, on third-and-13.

The stadium wasn’t sold out Sunday, but it was more filled with actual Commanders fans than I can remember seeing — and hearing — in a very long time. The home crowd chanting “defense” and meaning it? Goodness.

People in Commanders jerseys started leaving late in the third quarter … but it was because their team was up 34-6. And when is the last time the home team was up by that much in this stadium?

It was Nov. 15, 2015, against the New Orleans Saints, a game Washington won 47-17. (Kirk Cousins was pretty efficient that day, going 20-of-25 for 324 yards and four touchdown passes.)

It’s not that there were no Browns fans around Sunday. There were many. But they didn’t overwhelm the stadium with their noise, as opposing fans have done for most of the last decade. They couldn’t, because every four or five minutes, Daniels did another thing that left their jaws slacked while Washington’s faithful could almost giggle at the absurdity of what they were watching.

There was Daniels going deep to Terry McLaurin. There he was beating the Browns’ man coverage late in the first half, dropping a 41-yard TD in the bucket to Dyami Brown. There he went, after his bombs made Cleveland’s defensive backs stay glued to their men rather than come up and assist their defensive line to keep Daniels contained, scampering out of the pocket, time and again, taking off downfield to the tune of 11 carries for 82 yards, including converting a fourth-and-3 at the Cleveland 40 by making linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah miss, then taking off for 34 yards down the sideline.

And watch the impact, as Browns defenders’ bodies sagged every time Daniels moved the chains again.

Jayden Daniels can break your brain if you’re not stout of mind on the opposite sideline.

“It can be demoralizing,” Quinn said. “’Cause all of a sudden, you’ve created some long-yardage scenarios. … To have a big shot, even when the person’s guarded well, and you put it in the only spot it could go. The play that comes to mind before today was the one to Terry at the end of the Cincinnati game, where there was really only one spot where he could throw that pass. He had a couple of those scenarios today.”

And this is happening every week. And it’s happening here.

Not just Kansas City. Or San Francisco. Or Philly or Buffalo or Detroit. Here, too. Finally.

The player who is rapidly becoming Must-See TV around the country, the person about whom the morning shoutfests are devoting increasing amounts of their time (“If you could clone Jayden Daniels, what team would you put him on?”), the first-round quarterback pick who is going first overall now in the 2024 NFL redrafts (yes, it’s still 2024; these are the clickbait times in which we live) plays for your team.

And afterward, the first thing he talked about was the plays he and the offense left on the field.

“I’m happy to get back and watch the film,” Daniels said. “It’s always better to go back and review stuff after a win, but we’ve got to improve.”

The Commanders did leave points out there Sunday. Daniels’ pick erased a scoring chance deep in the red zone, a play after he missed an open Zach Ertz in the end zone. Later, he missed Ertz again, after the tight end had cleared down the seam past the Cleveland secondary. McLaurin fumbled on the first play of the third quarter and dropped another potential TD on a near-perfect fade from Daniels late in the third. Washington was fortunate that wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus was hustling downfield early in the second quarter at the end of Austin Ekeler’s 50-yard run and was able to recover Ekeler’s fumble after Browns corner Martin Emerson Jr. punched the ball out.

There was complementary football all over the field Sunday. Austin Seibert still hasn’t missed a kick since he’s gotten here. Linebacker Nick Bellore, a two-time Pro Bowler on special teams in Seattle before Washington signed him to its practice squad a month ago, hit most everyone who tried to return a kick for the Browns.

The defense again got home Sunday, sacking Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson seven times, with Bobby Wagner forcing a Watson fumble after a big hit on him in the third quarter. Washington’s defensive tackles were outstanding, stuffing the Browns running game and forcing multiple third-and-longs. (Sunday was third-year man Phidarian Mathis’ best game here, by far.) The woeful Browns were 1 for 13 on third downs.

And even though Daniels struggled at times, the big plays he and the offense made not only picked up Washington’s defense but also reinforced what it already believes: Daniels is earning everything he’s gotten so far.

“It fires us up,” linebacker Frankie Luvu said. “’Cause we know what Jayden puts in all week. The kid shows up at 4 a.m., and he’s already lifting in there. Me and Bobby walk in at like 5, 6, and dude is already done with his film tape, done with his lift. He’s already a step ahead. To see that, and to (then) see what he does on Sundays, it’s not shocking. It is to the world. But the dude put in a week of work. It’s a long conversation, but what you put in is what you’re gonna get out. To do what he does, it just fires us up and helps us keep going.”

That’s why it’s OK to hope. That’s why it’s OK to dream about what could happen around here, and maybe sooner than we all think, if Josh Harris and his folks can find a place to build the stadium they want, and if Adam Peters, as I believe he will, keeps his draft powder dry and doesn’t reach for a short-term fix at the trade deadline and has a couple of more cracks at things in 2025 and 2026, and if Quinn and his staff continue to develop what they’re given. Nothing’s promised in this league, or this game. The Ravens await next Sunday in Baltimore, and if you ever want to stress-test these Commanders, to see where the fissures still lie, that’s the perfect place to do so.

But it’s OK to believe. And to dream. And to hope for greatness down the line. Because the quarterback, the one who hasn’t been around here in so very, very long, isn’t skipping steps. He isn’t cutting the line. He wants to be great, and he’s grinding to become just that.

Win or lose in a given week, it’s real. For real.

(Photo of Frankie Luvu and Washington teammates celebrating with fans after his fumble recovery: Timothy Nwachukwu / Getty Images)

Landover, MD. — The Washington Commanders entered Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns with a 3-1 record and their rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been the toast of the town as he’s gotten off to a record-setting start.

On Sunday, it was the Browns who got the game started with the ball after the Commanders won the coin toss and deferred their selection to the second half.

That meant Cleveland quarterback Deshaun Watson took the field first to face the Washington defense coming off a strong outing against the Arizona Cardinals one week ago and a season high four sacks as a team.

There weren’t any sacks on the first drive of the game but there was a fourth down conversion try. After getting the ball down to the Commanders’ 47-yard line on a 3rd-and-3 run the Browns faced 4th-and-1 and opted for the try.

Quarterback Jameis Winston has been the quarterback sneak specialist for Cleveland this season and he was the man taking the snap for that fourth down play, undoubtedly in an attempt to get Washington selling out to stop the sneak.

Instead, Winston pitched the ball to running back D’Onta Foreman and after initial backfield contact by linebacker Frankie Luvu, the Commanders defense corralled the ball carrier for no gain and a turnover on downs.

Washington traded punts with the Browns and appeared destined for another on 3rd-and-13 from its own 31-yard line when Daniels escaped the pocket, rolled right, and connected with receiver Terry McLaurin for a 66-yard gain down to the Cleveland three-yard line.

That excitment was short-lived, however, as Daniels threw his second career interception three plays later while targeting tight end Zach Ertz in the end zone. The pass was picked off by Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and came at the one-yard line, ending the first scoring threat fo the game for Washington.

After a second three-and-out forced by the defense, however, and a big punt return by Olamide Zaccheaus the Commanders found themselves with great field position, but facing a fourth down conversion attempt of their own.

On 4th-and-2 from the Cleveland 14 running back Austin Ekeler gained 10 yards. One snap later, running back Brian Robinson Jr. took a run around the left side for a four-yard touchdown score, the first of the game, giving Washington a 7-0 lead over the Browns.

After another three-and-out forced by the Commanders defense Washington got the ball back, but at their own one-yard line resulting in the offense’s second three-and-out of the game. The ensuing punt gave the Browns great field position, but they were only able to secure a field goal out of it after Luvu came up with a big sack on third down to prevent the offense from getting any further cracks at their first touchdown of the game.

Dustin Hopkins made the field goal try for Cleveland, and the score stood at 7-3 with the Commanders leading early in the second quarter.

Washington was able to answer with a field goal of its own on the ensuing possession to push the lead back out to seven points, but it didn’t come without some drama. First, at the end of a 57 yard run by Ekeler the running back fumbled the ball. Fortunately, Zaccheaus was close behind him and was able to fall on the ball to secure the possession for the Commanders.

Later, tight end Zach Ertz appeared to secure a pass before fumbling in the red zone. This time the fumble was recovered by the Browns, but review overturned the turnover quickly and Washington was able to secure the three points from kicker Austin Seibert.

Following a fourth three-and-out forced by the defense the Commanders got their hands on the ball again and again sealed a drive with a touchdown run by Robinson. This one came from one-yard out and was aided by key plays like a five-yard penalty that turned a 3rd-and-10 into a 3rd and 5 for Washington, a nine-yard catch by receiver Luke McCaffrey on that third down, and a 34-yard scramble by Daniels down to the Cleveland six-yard line, all eventually leading to the score and a 17-3 Commanders lead.

The Browns were forced into a fifth three and out and another sack on third down, this time by linebacker Bobby Wagner, forced a punt with just under two minutes left in the half leaving Daniels with plenty of time, but no timeouts to try and construct another scoring drive.

Daniels didn’t need all of that time, however, and with 42 seconds left in the half the rookie quarterback found receiver Dyami Brown 41 yards downfield for another score, giving the Commanders a 24-3 lead entering the half.

Washington will receive the ball to start the second half.

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

• Commanders vs. Browns: Time, TV, & Predictions

• How Has the Left Tackle Rotation Gone for the Commanders?

• Commanders Coach Offers Injury Update on DE Clelin Ferrell

• Commanders Pass Rusher Named Hidden Gem

While they have not yet set a specific opening date, the management of Tangled Roots Brewing Company is looking forward to opening its new location on Washington Square “in the near future.”

“Tangled Roots is very grateful for the warm welcome from both the City of Washington and the Washington Chamber of Commerce, and residents,” Tangled Roots director of marketing Anna Wright said. “We are thrilled to be a part of such a vibrant and supportive community and truly appreciate the kindness and enthusiasm you’ve shown us. We’re excited to build lasting relationships, share our passion for craft beer and food, and contribute to the growth and success of Washington.”

Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen will be located at 140 Washington Square, Washington. The company will also operate an events center at 120 Walnut Street and a retail facility at 126 Walnut Street.

In a June story by the Journal Star, Nathan Watson, the CEO of CL Real Estate Development said construction would be completed in the fall and the grand opening slated to take place by the end of the year.

The Washington location will be the fifth for the Ottawa-based Tangled Roots franchise. The company also operates locations in Ottawa, Glenview, Lockport, and Vernon Hills.

More information is available at tangledrootsbrewingco.com.

Previously: What to know about the ongoing construction of the Washington Square restaurant

Wright added that Washington is a good fit for the restaurant group because of its “commitment to community engagement aligns with the community’s keen sense of local pride,” Wright said. Tangled Roots will provide a unique dining option while creating jobs and supporting local suppliers, Wright said.

“This economic boost can have a positive ripple effect on the community,” Wright said.

Known for a wide range of “farm to foam” beers brewed from locally grown barley, other Tangled Roots Craft Beer and Kitchens offer lunch and dinner menu with a selection of starters, soups, salads, flatbread, sandwiches, and entrees. The Tangled Roots brunch menu features Korean BBQ Chicken and Waffles, brunch burgers, and pancake tacos.