WATCH: Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels converts crucial fourth down play with only one shoe on

Jayden Daniels became the latest rookie to play in an NFC Championship game and showed that he is not overawed by the occasion on the first drive. He led a methodical drive down the field on the Commanders' opening possession, which included a couple of fourth-down conversions.

That has been a staple of the aggressive Washington defense throughout the season and Jayden Daniels found a couple of receivers when needed. However, when the Eagles had everything blocked, as they did on one instance, he just took off to pick up the first down himself. In the process, he was tackled and his boot came off, showing just how committed he is to the cause.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels' brilliance outdone by Eagles RB Saquon Barkley

Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury's aggressive play-calling has made the Commanders one of the best offenses to watch in the NFL. However, knowing that this was the NFC Championship game, they decided to kick a field goal and take an early lead at the end of their opening drive.

Despite a couple of fourth-down conversions, including the one by Jayden Daniels where he lost his shoe, Washington decided to kick for three points on a fourth-and-three. It gave them a 3-0 lead but they were soon left thinking that they had gone for it.

Because on the next drive, the Eagles' opening possession, Saquon Barkley got the ball and marched it down for a touchdown. Commanders' field goal came after more than seven minutes, whereas it took Philadelphia just 18 seconds to go up 7-3.

It got even worse very soon. A turnover gave the Eagles possession, and a couple of good conversions put them in the red zone. Saquon Barkley was handed the ball again, and this time, he took it into the endzone from four yards out to make it 14-3 to the home team in the NFC Championship in the first quarter.

It required something special from the visitors to get back in the game and it came in the form of a special team play. Just when the fans thought Dan Quinn was becoming conservative, after he sent the punting unit on a fourth down, they came up with a trick play to keep the chains moving.

It was a recognition by the Commanders that they needed to stay aggressive to have a chance in this game with Saquon Barkley in inspired form on the other side.