Three keys to Commanders’ fast start: Jayden Daniels has Washington 3-1 for first time since 2011 |Max Sporty|

If you have a quarterback, you have a chance. If you don’t, you don’t. And through four games, Jayden Daniels looks like he could be the long-awaited answer at quarterback for the Commanders. The numbers behind Washington’s 3-1 start are impressive regardless of context, but even more so given the context of how much the team has struggled at the game’s most important position.

Regardless of context, Daniels’ 82.1% completion percentage is patently absurd — the best in any four-game stretch in NFL history (min. 50 attempts), just before the peak of Peyton Manning’s stretch in 2008. The Commanders have a 54.6% success rate, best in the NFL this season. It would be the second best on record (since 2000), behind the 2011 Saints. Washington’s 0.27 expected points added per game is double the league’s second-best offense this season (the Bills) and, again, would be the best on record, this time just ahead of the 2004 Colts.

But then add up these numbers, seemingly innocuous until you realize how long it’s been since Washington did this. Back-to-back games with at least 38 points? First time for the franchise since 1991 … when it went on to win the Super Bowl. And a 3-1 start? It might not be a huge deal until you realize it’s Washington’s first since 2011.

“You talk about it, and you make sure — you want them to feel that emotion in the locker room after a win,” coach Dan Quinn said Monday after the team bounced back from a 42-14 win over Arizona. “We have a real process that we go through every week to get ready to play, and that starts today and through tomorrow and through Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We have a theme of every day. So, by staying consistent in that approach, I think, that helps avoid the highs and lows And I hope, and what I said to the team earlier is just an absolute obsession with getting better and that’s what we have to pursue Not what happened in the last game, but just an absolute obsession with things that we can improve Because, quite honestly, we think we can improve in a lot of areas.”

Washington knows glimpses of fool’s gold all too well, but maybe all the newness, from the new coaching staff to the new quarterback to the overhauled roster, can be something lasting. Time will tell. Washington hasn’t exactly faced a lineup of killer defenses — all four of Washington’s opponents rank 20th or worse in defensive success percentage — but part of that is that Washington has done well against them. Plus, you can only play who’s on your schedule. Speaking of that schedule, next is a talented Cleveland defense that ranks eighth in defensive success rate.

But for now, with Daniels tearing up record books, this is what’s working for Washington.

1. Stay on schedule, and stay calm when they aren’t

The Commanders did an exceptional job of staying on schedule, as the success rate mentioned above suggests. Only 22.9% of Washington’s games went for 0 or negative yards, the lowest rate in the NFL and only better than high-powered attacks such as the Ravens and Lions.

But still, that means more than one in five plays go nowhere or, even worse, backwards. It’s how the Commanders — not just Daniels — respond after these plays. Washington currently produces 0.52 expected points added per play on plays immediately following a play that goes for 0 or negative yards. This is also probably not sustainable: The 2004 Colts hold the best mark for an entire season at 0.43. But it speaks volumes for Daniels’ preternatural composure as well as Kliff Kingsbury’s creativity. Washington used many aspects — added protection, pre-snap motion and even run plays — to move when behind the chains.

The run game was a huge help. Washington has the league’s most points added on rushing plays after finishing 21st in that category last year. NFL top 10 touchdowns rushing helps, but so do the little plays that move the sticks. Only the Ravens and Saints have more runs that result in first downs, and while Daniels’ total ground numbers aren’t eye-popping, his ability to convert is crucial. As we see here, not every 3-yard rush — this one to convert a third-and-1 — is created equal.

Brian Robinson Jr., meanwhile, brings the thunder to Daniels’ lightning; Robinson’s 3.92 yards after contact per rush is sixth in the NFL.

Again, this kind of performance is unlikely to last. If so, we’re looking at an all-time great offense. But a big reason for the success was another unexpected development…

2. Offensive line playing well, and Daniels managing pressure

There were a lot of questions surrounding this roster entering the season, and among the biggest — and the most pressing, considering the rookie quarterback — was the offensive line.

So far, Washington’s group has grown, with multiple left tackles (Cornelius Lucas and Brandon Coleman) playing alongside new left guard Nick Allegretti and new center Tyler Biadasz, with holdovers at right guard and right tackle in Sam Cosmi and Andrew Wylie. Washington is currently the fourth best pass blocking unit per Pro Football Focus. The team also allowed the 10th lowest pressure in the league.

Daniels did a good job of mitigating and navigating pressure, a key aspect for young quarterbacks adjusting to NFL speed and size. He was sacked on 21% of his pressured dropbacks, 15th in the league. That might not sound great, but consider that the player taken before him, Caleb Williams, was sacked 30% of the time he was pressured. Daniels’ fighting was great, but so was his pocket presence. He wanted to hang around and deliver some pitches.

Again, the Daniels and the line will be tested — Myles Garrett and the rest of Cleveland’s pass rush is no joke — but for now, it’s so far, so good.

After a quiet Week 1, Terry McLaurin came on, and his movement around the formation was a big reason.

Washington’s biggest play of the season, Daniels’ touchdown to McLaurin late in Week 3, came at the wide receiver’s behest, according to the Washington Post. You’ll notice he’s on the right side for that one.

Washington seems to have found something in physical rookie Luke McCaffrey and veteran Noah Brown, but McLaurin is still the clear No. 1. Moving him around helped change his and the offense’s trajectories.