A thrilling overtime game played out in the nation’s capital on Sunday night between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders filled with playoff implications.
As the game came to a close, the Commanders defeated the Falcons 30-24 to clinch a playoff spot.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, giving 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 in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Northwestern Stadium. (Jeff Burke-Iman photo)
The Falcons, meanwhile, enter Week 18 needing a win and a Buccaneers loss to secure victory in the NFC South — their only chance at making the playoffs as other teams have better records.
As mentioned, this game required overtime, but the reason behind it was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth overall pick with the Commanders. ’s second overall pick, Jayden Daniels.
Throughout the season, Daniels solidified himself as the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, making huge contributions to help Washington reach the playoffs.
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But Penix, in just the second start of his young career, found himself scoring a touchdown with less than five minutes left in the fourth quarter and a playoff spot in jeopardy.
Penix completed a surgical break on fourth-and-goal with a 13-yard drive between multiple Commander defenders, finding tight end Kyle Pitts before gaining through the uprights. After the extra point, the game was tied.
After a three-and-out from Daniels and the Commander offense, Penix and the Falcons had a chance to win the game, but Penix and the Falcons had just over a minute to try and get within Riley Patterson’s field goal range.
They got very close to midfield after Penix found Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard catch. However, on third-and-5 from Atlanta’s 49-yard line, a pass from Penix to Mooney resulted in defensive pass interference, which allowed Patterson to at least attempt a 56-yard field goal for the win.
The ensuing kick was on the line, but lacked legs and landed in the back of the end zone, forcing overtime.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after a first-half touchdown against the Washington Commanders at Northwestern Stadium. (Amber Sears – Image)
But while Penix had his rookie moment, Daniels added another game-winning performance to his resume after winning the coin toss and stopping Atlanta’s drive.
Just as Daniels did last week against the Philadelphia Eagles, he used his arms and legs to get forward in 12 plays, 7 minutes and 18 seconds into overtime, and finally scored at the Atlanta two-yard line. Three goals.
Daniels dropped back and lasered the ball to his trusted tight end Zach Ertz for the game-winning touchdown, his second of the night.
Daniels passed for 227 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while rushing 16 times for a game-high 127 yards.
Olamide Zaccheaus was Washington’s first touchdown scorer, leading the team with 85 yards on eight catches. Ertz had six catches for 72 yards.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to throw the ball during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons at Northwestern Stadium. (Amber Sears – Image)
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For the Falcons, Penix made 19 of 35 shots, advancing 223 yards, scoring 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Drake London was the game’s top receiver with seven catches for 106 yards.
Bijan Robinson rushed 17 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
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