Commanders' Jayden Daniels returns to guide rally past Chargers

Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt rushed for 111 yards and two scores, Jayden Daniels passed for 231 yards and a touchdown in his return to the lineup and the visiting Washington Commanders rallied from a 10-point deficit for a 27-10 win Sunday against the host Los Angeles Chargers.

Daniels, who missed the previous two games with a left knee injury, completed 15 of 26 passes and ran for 39 yards. Deebo Samuel had eight catches for 96 yards and a touchdown for Washington (3-2).

Justin Herbert completed 22 of 29 passes for 166 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Chargers (3-2), who have lost two straight.

Keenan Allen caught five passes, giving him 1,003 career receptions in 159 games. He became the fastest player in NFL history to reach the 1,000-catch mark, breaking the record owned by Marvin Harrison Sr.

The Chargers allowed five sacks and had 10 penalties for 85 yards.

With the score tied 10-10, Washington took the second-half kick and went 69 yards in seven plays. Croskey-Merritt had a 28-yard catch before scoring from five yards out.

Matt Gay added a 36-yard field goal to make it 20-10 with 5:49 left in the third.

On the first play of the fourth, Croskey-Merritt fumbled and Los Angeles recovered at its 41. The Chargers drove to the 1 but on third-and-goal from the 4, Herbert's pass was tipped and intercepted by Mike Sainristil at the 1.

Washington drove 99 yards in 13 plays and Daniels hit Samuel for an 8-yard touchdown with 1:08 remaining.

The Chargers took an early lead. On third-and-2, Herbert scrambled for 41 yards to the Commanders 27. Their drive stalled and Cameron Dicker hit a 29-yard field goal, but Sainristil was offside to give Los Angeles a first down. Herbert soon passed to Ladd McConkey and the Chargers led 7-0.

Los Angeles was leading 10-0 midway through the second when the game turned. With the Chargers driving, Quentin Johnston caught a 19-yard pass from Herbert and fumbled. Marshon Lattimore recovered for the Commanders on the 26.

Daniels converted a third-and-16 with a pass to Jaylin Lane, and six plays later Croskey-Merritt went around the left end for a 15-yard touchdown and it was 10-7.

Late in the first half, Washington punted from its end zone and McConkey returned it 57 yards for a touchdown, but Marlowe Wax was called for roughing the kicker. With a new set of downs, Daniels threw deep to Luke McCaffrey for 50 yards to the Chargers' 33 and Gay's 29-yard field goal tied it at 10 just before the half.

--Field Level Media