Commanders of first NFC title game since 1991 say ‘not over yet’

DETROIT — After Washington Commanders catcher Terry McLaurin finished his postgame news conference, he stepped away from the podium and let out a scream that, for the franchise, stood for 33 years.

“Wooooo!” » McLaurin shouted, clenching his fists and smiling as he disappeared through the door.

That emotion accompanied Washington’s 45-31 victory over the Detroit Lions, giving the franchise its first NFC Championship Game berth since the 1991 season. It was the conference’s longest drought, a disgrace which now belongs to its rival, the Dallas Cowboys (1995).

“We’re not done yet,” McLaurin said.

The joy could be heard inside and outside the Commanders locker room, with dignitaries including former Washington coach Joe Gibbs, Commanders minority shareholder Magic Johnson, NBA star Kevin Durant and award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright all celebrating.

Commanders general manager Adam Peters, in his first season, went around the locker room hugging various players. Co-owner Mitch Rales slapped hands and hugged the players as they entered the locker room, sharing a longer embrace with McLaurin.

And co-owner Josh Harris told reporters at Team 980 and The Athletic: “I’m so happy for the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia)… We are a team of destiny.”

This night belonged to a team that was 4-13 a year ago and will now face either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles in next week’s NFC Championship Game. His fan base has endured not just a bad time, but two bad decades.

From 1981 to 1991, the organization won three Super Bowls and appeared in a fourth. But from 1992 to 2023, Washington had the fourth-worst winning percentage in the NFC.

“I’m so excited not only for myself but for my team, especially the guys that have been here for a few years and been on bad teams just to experience this,” Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. said. . “It’s amazing.”

Yet here they are, a season after what was supposed to be a rebuild under first-year coach Dan Quinn. He preferred the word “recalibrate,” but the better term might now be rejuvenated.

“It’s crazy,” said Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner, born in 1990, 19 months before the organization’s last Super Bowl title.

Commander safety Jeremy Reaves, with the team since 2018, was answering a question about a teammate when he deflected his answer as he processed the moment.

“Man, that’s cool,” Reaves said. “I can’t even understand this. No one thought we’d be here. Let’s go!”

But they’re here in part because of Jayden Daniels, who becomes the sixth rookie quarterback to reach a championship game. The other five lost. But Daniels has proven all year long that he is different. That was the case again Saturday night when he completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 16 times for an additional 51 yards.

Daniels connected on two fourth-down passes to keep the touchdowns going.

“He’s so calm and so efficient,” Washington running back Austin Ekeler said of Daniels. “Every week I’m like, man, this guy is really good. I know to expect it, but over and over again he continues to show that he has a huge clutch gene, and it shows up all the time. “

His teammates welcomed Daniels from the start, emphasizing the work he was doing — getting in front of any player on a daily basis — and the talent they saw on the field. They are still amazed by him and know what he means to the franchise.

“I knew Jay was ready from day one,” Robinson said. “I knew he was ready for not only everything, everything he had done this year, but also getting ready for the playoffs and the big moments.”

Wagner played in two NFC Championship Games with the Seattle Seahawks, winning both. He felt this team had a chance to accomplish more than expected during a three-game losing streak that dropped its record to 7-5.

“I didn’t see anyone hesitate. I didn’t see anyone put their head down,” Wagner said of the slip. “Everyone always came in relaxed. We had our ups and downs and times when we weren’t winning. Everyone became more responsible.”

Washington hasn’t lost since, having won seven straight. Daniels isn’t the only rookie who has contributed. Mike Sainristil, a second-round pick, opened the season at nickel corner, but came out when the team needed more help. He solidified the position and intercepted two passes on Saturday.

The leadership — and on-field contributions from veterans such as Wagner, Ekeler and tight end Zach Ertz, who caught five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown against the Lions — have been invaluable. The Commanders count on McLaurin, a remarkable player, who made a 58-yard catch for a touchdown, his 15th score of the campaign. And they have a lot of players who understand their role and fulfill it.

The players have been talking since the spring about their bond, which grew stronger in the previous five games that they won either at the last second or on the final play from scrimmage.

“We’re big hitters, we’re ready and confident,” Wagner said. “We have a mutual trust that is not easy to find.”

Meanwhile, Quinn wanted to stay focused on the present moment and not get caught up in what Saturday’s victory meant.

“There will be a time to look back and reflect,” Quinn said, “but I’m not there yet.”