Jayden Daniels found Zach Ertz in overtime for his third touchdown pass of the game, propelling the Washington Commanders into the playoffs with a thrilling 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. This intense prime-time clash featured highly touted rookie quarterbacks going head-to-head in a back-and-forth battle.
Daniels showcased his dual-threat abilities by rushing for a season-best 127 yards while completing 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards. He connected with Ertz twice for touchdowns and also found Olamide Zaccheaus for another score, securing the Commanders’ postseason berth in his debut season.
Despite facing an interception and a 10-point halftime deficit, Daniels displayed remarkable resilience, orchestrating a comeback that culminated in the game-winning drive in overtime and a decisive 2-yard touchdown pass to Ertz.
With this victory, the Commanders improved their record to 11-5 and are now in contention for the sixth seed in the NFC. A win in their upcoming regular-season finale against Dallas could potentially set up a wild-card matchup against either Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams. However, a loss would likely place them in the seventh seed, leading to a playoff clash against division rival Philadelphia unless Green Bay falters against Chicago.
On the other side, the Falcons (8-8) relinquished control of their hopes of clinching the NFC South title and securing a home playoff game. To salvage their postseason aspirations, they must defeat Carolina and rely on the New Orleans Saints to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Atlanta dominated the first half of the contest, exploiting Washington’s defense with a potent running game led by Bijan Robinson. Robinson amassed 82 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries before Washington managed to stifle his production, limiting him to a mere 8 yards for the remainder of the game.
Facing a 24-17 deficit late in the game, Falcons’ rookie quarterback Penix showed composure and poise, engineering a critical 12-play, 68-yard drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts, tying the score with just over a minute left in regulation.
A key pass interference penalty drawn by Penix on a throw to Drake London provided Atlanta with a shot at a potential game-winning field goal attempt. Unfortunately, Riley Patterson’s 56-yard effort fell short as time expired, denying the Falcons an opportunity to mount a final drive.
Penix concluded the game with 19 completions on 35 attempts, totaling 223 passing yards.
Noteworthy Achievements:
– Daniels joined elite company by recording 30 combined touchdowns, tying him with Russell Wilson for the third-most by a rookie quarterback. Additionally, he surpassed Robert Griffin III for the most rushing yards by a rookie QB with 864.
– Ertz cemented his legacy as one of the premier tight ends in NFL history by surpassing 8,000 career receiving yards.
