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Sunday night’s overtime thriller unfolded in the capital, with playoff implications woven throughout the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and Commanders from Washington.
By the time this one went down to the wire, the Commanders were up 30-24 over the Falcons earn their spot in the postseason.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, which earned them a playoff berth as a wild card team.
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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, the Falcons head into Week 18 needing a win Buccaneers loss to secure the NFC South – their only chance to make the playoffs since other teams have better records.
As mentioned, this contest required extra time, but the reason for that was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the eighth overall pick of the Falcons going up against the Commanders’ second pick, Jayden Daniels.
Throughout the season, Daniels established himself as the favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year, making great plays to put Washington in position to reach the playoffs.
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But Penix, in the second start of his young career, came up with a touchdown with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and a playoff spot on the line.
Penix stopped a surgical fourth-and-goal drive with a 13-yard plunge between multiple Commanders defenders to find tight end Kyle Pitts, which tied the game after the extra point went through the uprights.
After a three-and-out by Daniels and a Commanders offense that had a game-winning chance, Penix and the Falcons had just over a minute to try to get into scoring range for Riley Patterson.
They came very close after 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 a defensive pass interference, allowing Patterson to at least attempt a 56-yard game-winning field goal.
The ensuing punt was on the line but didn’t have enough legs as it fell into 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. (Amber Searls-Imagn Images)
But as Penix had his rookie moment, Daniels added another game-winning drive to his resume after winning the coin toss and keeping the ball from Atlanta.
Just as Daniels did against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he drove down the field for 12 plays using his hands and feet, killing 7:18 of overtime to end up with a third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels returned to pass and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusted tight end, whose second touchdown of the night was the game-winner.
Daniels finished the game with 227 yards passing with three touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 127 yards in the game on 16 carries.
Olamide Zaccheaus was the first touchdown scorer for Washington, leading 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 Searls-Imagn 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.
Bijan Robinson also had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
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