LANDOVER, Md. — In a nail-biting overtime thriller, Jayden Daniels, the rookie quarterback for the Washington Commanders, made his mark by leading his team to a 30-24 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. This monumental win clinched a playoff berth for the Commanders, marking their first postseason appearance since 2020.
In a back-and-forth match featuring two highly touted rookie quarterbacks, Daniels not only excelled in passing but also showcased his running ability, recording a season-high 127 rushing yards. He completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards, including two touchdown passes to tight end Zach Ertz and another to Olamide Zaccheaus.
The Commanders (11-5) now stand a chance to improve their playoff seeding with a win against Dallas in the regular-season finale. A victory there could elevate them to the sixth seed, setting up a wild-card matchup against either the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Los Angeles Rams.
The Falcons (8-8) faced disappointment as their chances of winning the NFC South dissolved. They must beat the Carolina Panthers and rely on a loss from the Buccaneers to secure their playoff spot.
Atlanta initially dominated the game, with running back Bijan Robinson rushing for 82 yards and two touchdowns before the halftime break. However, their momentum waned in the second half when they managed just nine plays for 14 yards in the opening drives, allowing the Commanders to take control.
Despite trailing in the fourth quarter, Penix, the Falcons’ quarterback, executed a remarkable comeback, finishing with a touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts that tied the game late in regulation. However, a chance for a game-winning field goal fell short as time expired, sending the game into overtime.
Milestones and Injuries
This game also marked milestones for several players. Daniels reached a total of 30 combined touchdowns this season, tying with Russell Wilson for the third-most by a rookie quarterback. In addition, he rushed for a total of 864 yards this season, surpassing Robert Griffin III’s record. Ertz became the ninth tight end in NFL history to accumulate over 8,000 receiving yards.
On the injury front, the Commanders lost starting center Tyler Biadasz due to an ankle injury, and right tackle Cornelius Lucas also sustained a groin injury during the match.
As the NFL season heads toward its conclusion, the Commanders look to capitalize on their newfound playoff position while the Falcons seek redemption in their final regular-season game.
