The Washington Commanders clinched a playoff spot on Sunday night after getting a gutsy 30-24 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons. Their quarterback, Jayden Daniels, delivered an impressive performance, solidifying himself as the favorite for the Rookie of the Year award in the process.
The Falcons had the opportunity to win the game in regulation, but Riley Patterson’s last-second field goal attempt from 56 yards came up short. The Commanders won the coin toss to get the ball first in the overtime and went 68 yards down the field before Daniels found tight end Zach Ertz in the end zone for a game-winning two-yard touchdown.
Daniels finished the game with 227 passing yards and three passing touchdowns while also rushing for a game-high 127 yards on 16 carries. He was especially great in clutch situations, converting three fourth downs.
“At the end I thought, in the second half especially, there was just some strong plays and he just willed it. That’s the competitor he is. And I thought he was fully able to demonstrate that and express himself tonight with his legs, with his arm, “Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn said after the game.
The Commanders now have an 11-5 record and will make the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Their 11 wins are the most for the franchise in a single season since the 1991 season, when they won their most recent Super Bowl.
The Falcons, on the other hand, fell to an 8-8 record and are no longer in charge of their postseason destiny. They now need to win the season finale against the Carolina Panthers and hope the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to get into the playoffs.
