Jayden Daniels’ game-winning drive in overtime sends the Commanders into the playoffs
Sunday night’s overtime game unfolded in the nation’s capital, and the playoff results were in full swing in the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders.
When this one came down to the wire, the Commanders prevailed with a 30-24 victory over the Falcons to secure their spot in the postseason.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, earning them a berth as a wild card team.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Geoff Burke-Imagn)
Meanwhile, the Falcons will enter Week 18 needing a win and a Buckeye loss to secure the NFC South — their chance to reach the playoffs since other teams have better records.
As noted, overtime was needed in this contest, but the reason for it was the true rookie moment of Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth seed that went up against the Commanders’ No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels.
Throughout the season, Daniels established himself as the Offensive Rookie of the Year forward, making impressive plays to put Washington in a position to reach the playoffs.
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But Penix, in the second start of his young career, found himself in the position with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and the game on the line.
Penix capped a surgical fourth-and-goal drive with a 13-yard strike through multiple Commanders defenders to tight end Kyle Pitts, who tied the game after the extra point went through the uprights.
After a three-out offense by Daniels and the Commanders, with a chance to win the game, Penix and the Falcons had just over a minute left to try to get into Riley Patterson’s goal zone.
They came closest after Penix found Darnell Mooney on a 25-yard drive that found them near the field. However, on third-and-5 from the Atlanta 49-yard line, a pass from Penix to Mooney caused a defensive pass interference, allowing Patterson to at least attempt a 56-yarder for the win.
The ensuing kick was on the line, but didn’t have enough leg as it landed in the back of the field to force overtime.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders in the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Amber Searls-Imagn)
But as Penix had his rookie moment, Daniels added yet another game-winning drive to his resume after winning a coin toss and keeping the ball in Atlanta.
Just like Daniels did against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he drove down 12 plays using his arms and legs, killing 7:18 of the overtime clock to finally find himself on third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels dropped back to pass and passed the ball to tight end Zach Ertz, whose second touchdown of the night was the game-winner.
Daniels finished the game with 227 passing yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for a game-high 127 yards on 16 carries.
Olamide Zaccheaus was Washington’s first touchdown scorer, and led the team with 85 yards on eight receptions. Ertz finished with 72 yards on six catches.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Amber Searls-Imagn)
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For the Falcons, Penix finished the night 19-for-35 for 223 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Drake London was the game’s leading rusher with 106 yards on seven catches.
Bijan Robinson also had 90 yards on 17 carries for two touchdowns.
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