LANDOVER — Jayden Daniels had his worst first half of his career — he threw an interception at the goal line, missed multiple targets and overlooked another in the end zone — and yet still guided the Commanders to a big halftime lead en route to another blowout victory.

If there was ever confirmation that this era is different, that this quarterback is unlike the dozens of others who have cycled through Washington, let that be it.

In only his fifth NFL game, Daniels guided Washington to a dominating 34-13 victory over the beleaguered Cleveland Browns, giving the Commanders their best record (4-1) through five games since 2008.

Daniels completed 14 of 25 passes (56%) for 238 yards, one touchdown, one interception and a 85.1 passer rating. He added a game-high 82 rushing yards on 11 attempts, becoming the first player in NFL history to pass for more than 1,000 yards and rush for 250 or more in their first five career games.

What’s more: Washington is the first team since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to score at least 150 points in their first five games while starting a rookie quarterback. Daniels is the first rookie quarterback to beat a defense led by Jim Schwartz, the Browns’ defensive coordinator, since 2016, when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott did it.

Washington’s win was another complete showing from all three phases — offense, defense and special teams. But unlike the previous four weeks, when the defense was more of a liability than an asset, it led the way for much of the first half Sunday, forcing five three-and-outs in that span.

The Commanders entered the game with the highest opponent third-down conversion rate in the league (54.8%), but held Cleveland to 1 for 13 on third downs. They also sacked quarterback Deshaun Watson seven times. (They had only eight sacks total in the first four games.)

Linebacker Frankie Luvu accounted for 2 1/2 of those along with a fumble recovery.

Cleveland’s lone three points in the first half were courtesy of former Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins, who drilled a 51-yard field goal near the start of the second quarter. It wasn’t until the final eight minutes of the game when the Browns finally found the end zone on a 10-yard catch by tight end Jordan Akins.

Washington’s defense played its best yet. But the Browns played so poorly it was at times difficult to determine if Washington’s success on that side of the ball was due to the Commanders’ swarming attack or Cleveland’s ineptitude.

On offense, however, there was little doubt who deserved the bulk of the credit.

It’s still early in Daniels’s career, and if any franchise knows the perils of getting excited too quickly about a young quarterback, it’s Washington. But in almost every outing, Daniels has provided more reasons to believe — even in moments of adversity.

Against the Cardinals, it was his bounce-back after his first career interception.

On Sunday, it was his bounce-back from a first-quarter interception at the goal line on a pass intended for tight end Zach Ertz. Daniels also missed wideout Terry McLaurin on a later deep attempt. But the highlights sprinkled in between were extraordinary and left a more memorable stamp on the game than his misses.

On third and 13, three plays before his interception, Daniels scrambled left and launched a deep pass off platform for McLaurin, who made his way from his usual left side to the right to pull in a perfectly placed ball over his shoulder for 66 yards.

Washington finally found the end zone on its third drive, when running back Austin Ekeler converted on fourth and two with a 10-yard run before Brian Robinson Jr. ran it in for a four-yard touchdown on the subsequent play.

Robinson, who hardly practiced during the week because of a knee injury, had two first-half rushing touchdowns, giving him five on the season. His one-yard scoring run in the second quarter came two plays after Daniels converted a fourth and three with a 34-yard run.

Washington’s defense forced a three-and-out on Cleveland’s subsequent drive, and Daniels produced more magic to pad the Commanders’ lead before the break.

On a second and seven with 42 seconds remaining, Daniels launched a beauty down the right sideline for receiver Dyami Brown, who beat cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. on a go route and caught the 41-yard pass in stride in the end zone.

Daniels found Brown again for a 16-yard catch on a third and seven later that quarter en route to another scoring drive, this time capped with a three-yard touchdown run by running back Jeremy McNichols.

Washington’s defense ensured the offense wouldn’t be on the bench long; linebacker Bobby Wagner strip-sacked Watson, and Luvu recovered the ball. The Commanders quickly capitalized; Daniels found Ekeler for a short pass that he took for 33 yards on third and 11, and kicker Austin Seibert sealed it with a 30-yard field goal to bring Washington’s lead to 34-6 late in the third quarter.

It was the first time in nine years Washington scored at least 34 points in three consecutive games, offering yet another reason to believe: Daniels is the real deal.