GLENDALE, Ariz. –Brian Robinson Jr. seemed surprised by his emotional state as a genuine smile appeared on his face.

The third-year running back experienced post-game joy throughout his career at the University of Alabama. The highs have been more fleeting and buried beneath countless failures in the pros. The collapse in the final month of 2022 cost the Washington Commanders a playoff berth. The eight-game losing streak that ended last year led to the loss of multiple jobs.

The skid continued this season with a 17-point loss in the opening game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, highlighting the concerns projected on this team. Yet Robinson, a Nick Saban-trained, hard-nosed power back, stood in a nearly empty State Farm Stadium locker room, processing the return of a long-lost feeling.

“I know I’m really showing a lot of enthusiasm by winning,” Robinson said. “You know, just to let people know it’s fun to win, man.”

Indeed it is.

A few minutes earlier, as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and teammates left the field, it was clear Robinson wasn’t the only one processing their emotions after Washington’s dominant 42-14 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

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Right guard Sam Cosmi and others were enthusiastically greeted outside the locker room by members of the ownership group and general manager Adam Peters. Cosmi, one of the holdovers to face relentless chaos in recent years, is bear-hugged minority partner Mitchell Rales. Being embraced by the sweat-covered lineman tasked with keeping Daniels’ jersey clean didn’t bother Rales, a lifelong fan of burgundy and gold.

Once in the locker room, a booming roar sounded behind closed doors. Coach Dan Quinn’s post-game message included the announcement of, for now, a single game ball. “There’s one (mom) who doesn’t leave without one,” Quinn said before bellowing the first name of his offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury.

“Cliff!” Quinn shouted before a successful handoff to the former Cardinals head coach, who delivered a fantastic game plan that put Daniels in a position for success. The Commanders dominated the Cardinals in yards (449 to 296), first downs (29 to 17) and on the scoreboard.

“Coming back against his former team,” Daniels said, “I know it meant a lot to (Kliff).”

…CLIFFF!!!!!!!@budlicht | #Raise hail pic.twitter.com/74IA9wRGCW

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 29, 2024

The executor of Kingsbury’s vision is the primary owner of the organization’s new enthusiasm. Daniels, the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, has already shown enough high-level talent to create the kind of “what-if” scenarios that produce star quarterbacks. Daniels, who has the best completion percentage (82.1) through four games in NFL history, finished 26 of 30 for 233 yards and a touchdown pass.

Daniels also scored his fourth rushing touchdown in four games. Touchdowns on the first two drives — rushing scores by Robinson and Jeremy McNichols — extended Washington’s streak of consecutive point possessions to 16. Robinson had 101 yards on 21 carries. McNichols, who replaced the injured Austin Ekeler (concussion), had touchdown runs of 27 and 7 yards and 74 total yards.

The quarterback threw his first career interception on a pass to Terry McLaurin that sailed a bit. Daniels said there was no side conversation with coaches about turnovers, a testament to his ability. He later hit McLaurin for a 10-yard touchdown.

JD5 ➡️ SCARY TERRY

📺 #WASvsAZ FOX pic.twitter.com/Uk5SzmnSvd

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) September 29, 2024

Statistics alone do not accurately portray Daniels’ glorious professional start. Whatever is thrown at the rookie, like a seven-point deficit before he touches the ball for the second straight game or an avalanche of attention after his explosion on Monday night, is easily dismissed.

“The kid is special,” said tight end Zach Ertz, who relished the victory over the organization that released him last year after three seasons with the Cardinals.

Daniels had his reunion last week. He began his college career at Arizona State, starting three years before transferring to LSU. The commanders also practiced all week on the Tempe campus. Whatever memories surfaced, Daniels, as was the case on the field Sunday, never seemed stressed or worried.

“I knew there were some additional stories here at ASU,” Quinn said. “Like Kliff, you would never have known.”

One revelation, however, emerged in the one-sided victory. Daniels turns out to be not flawless. For the second game in a row, he was damn close. More specifically, Daniels didn’t have to play for the first time in four games.

The Commanders defense strangled Kyler Murray and sacked the shifty quarterback four times. After Murray’s touchdown pass to rookie sensation Marvin Harrison Jr. on the game’s opening drive, the Cardinals failed to score again until James Conner’s rushing touchdown with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.

On a fourth-and-1 at Washington’s 35 in the final minute of the first half, defensive end Dorance Armstrong came off the edge to sack Murray. “He held the ball for a minute,” said Armstrong, who had 1 1/2 sacks.

The special teams unit immediately contributed by forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff, although Arizona recovered it. Kicker Austin Seibert made two field goals to remain perfect since joining Washington before Week 2. Then there is Tress Way. The longest-tenured player on the roster had not scored since Week 1. After a rare three-and-out by the offense, Way hit a 51-yard punt.

He also had his foot stepped on while running to celebrate with the coverage unit. “I felt like I could experience (the game) again with a little bit of pain, a little bit of joy and a lot of fun,” the gambler said. “But this is a really good time.”

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Washington can have well-rounded victories. Who knew? The players and coaches who spent weeks practicing and refining their craft were confident. They witnessed daily the calm atmosphere and dynamic playmaking that have become Daniels’ hallmarks, while other rookie passers are working.

“Not surprised,” said linebacker Bobby Wagner, one of Washington’s top defenders who didn’t play in the preseason. “We knew we had a team and we knew we had the players. I just had to put it together.”

Last week, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. said. that his group “doesn’t play the kind of ball we want.” This is a fair evaluation, as Washington ranks last in third-down conversion percentage allowed, and Cincinnati scored 33 points without betting or committing turnovers. Whitt followed up with a revealing statement released Sunday.

“We are closer than people think,” he said.

The next round of league-wide and local topics will include where this Washington story goes next. Daniels’ ceiling is unlimited. The defense has shown that it can be a viable partner. The Commanders Division rivals each have their own strange storylines.

Wagner, a 13-year veteran, isn’t ready to project yet. He has seen teams go for weeks without a loss, only to crash at the end of the season. But he also sees that something is happening to this group. The starting quarterback has a lot to do with the never-easy task of winning.

“It’s hard to win,” Robinson said. “It’s very, very, very difficult to come off a nine-game losing streak. To get back on track… it feels good.”

(Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images)