An overtime thriller unfolded in the nation’s capital on Sunday night, and the playoff implications were rife with the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and the Washington Commanders.
While this one went down to the wire, the Commanders emerged victorious with a 30-24 victory over the Falcons to earn their spot in the postseason.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, earning them a playoff 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 during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Images by Geoff Burke-Imagn)
Meanwhile, the Falcons enter Week 18 needing a win and a Buccaneers loss to clinch the NFC South, their only shot at making the playoffs while other teams have better records.
As noted, extra time was needed for this contest, but the reason behind it was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth overall pick who faced the Commanders’ No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels.
Throughout the season, Daniels established himself as a favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, making tremendous plays to put Washington in position to make the playoffs.
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But Penix, in the second start of his young career, found himself losing a touchdown with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter and a playoff spot on the line.
Penix capped a surgical fourth-and-goal drive with a 13-yard throw between several Commanders defenders to find tight end Kyle Pitts, who tied the game after the extra point went through the uprights.
After a three-pointer by Daniels and the Commanders offense, who had a chance to make a game-winning drive, Penix and the Falcons had just over a minute to try to get into Riley Patterson’s field goal range.
They came very close after Penix found Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard pickup that brought them closer to midfield. However, on third-and-5 from the Atlanta 49-yard line, a pass from Penix to Mooney resulted in a defensive pass interference call, allowing Patterson to at least attempt a 56-yard pass for the win.
The next kick was on line, but didn’t have enough leg as it landed in the back of the end zone to force overtime.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Images by Amber Searls-Imagn)
But while Penix had his rookie moment, Daniels added another game-winning drive to his resume after winning the coin toss and keeping the ball for Atlanta.
Just like Daniels did against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he drove down the field on 12 plays using his arms and legs, killing 7:18 of overtime to finally find himself on third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels dropped back to pass and threw the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusty tight end, 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 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 receptions.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Images by Amber Searls-Imagn)
For the Falcons, Penix finished the night 19 of 35 for 223 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Drake London was the game’s leading receiver with 106 yards on seven receptions.
Bijan Robinson also had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
