Overtime thrillers unfolded Sunday night in the nation’s capital, and the playoff implications spilled over as the Atlanta Falcons battled the Atlanta Falcons. Washington Commanders.
While it came down to a wire, the Commanders won 30-24. Over the Falcons to earn their spot in the postseason.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, earning them a spot in the playoffs as a wild card team.
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Meanwhile, the Falcons are heading into Week 18 needing a win. Loss of Buccaneers To secure the NFC South – their only chance to reach the playoffs as other teams have better records.
As noted, the contest required overtime, but the reason behind it was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth overall pick who took the Commanders’ No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels. was against
All season long, Daniels established himself as the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, making big plays to put Washington in position to reach the playoffs.
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But Penix, in the second start of his young career, found himself with a touchdown and a playoff spot on the line with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
Panics capped a surgical drive with a 13-yard strike on fourth-and-goal to find tight end Kyle Pitts between multiple Commanders defenders, tying the game after the extra point went over.
After a three-and-out by Daniels and the Commanders’ offense, which had a chance at the game-winning drive, Panics and the Falcons had just under a minute to try to get into field goal range for Riley Patterson.
They came closest when Penix found Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard pickup that put them near midfield. However, on third-and-5 from the Atlanta 49-yard line, a pass from Penix to Mooney resulted in defensive pass interference, giving Patterson at least a 56-yard attempt for the win.
The ensuing kick was on the line, but he didn’t have enough leg as it landed in the back of the end zone to force overtime.
Atlanta Falcons running back Baajan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searles-Images)
But just as Penix had his rookie moment, Daniels added another game-winning drive to his resume after flipping a coin and keeping the ball from Atlanta.
Just as Daniels had done last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, he used his arms and legs to drive downfield on 12 plays, hitting 7:18 of the overtime clock and finally reaching Atlanta’s two-yard line. Got a third and goal.
Daniels dropped back to pass and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusted tight end, for his second touchdown of the night, 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 the first touchdown scorer for Washington, 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 during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searles-Images)
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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 receiver with 106 yards on seven catches.
Bajon Robinson also had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
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