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Commanders clinch playoff spot with walk-off touchdown pass over Falcons in overtime
- The Commanders are in. Jayden Daniels was 24-of-36 for 227 yards and three touchdowns through the air, 16 carries for 127 yards on the ground and broke the NFL’s rookie rushing yardage record. It was a brilliant night by Daniels,who’s on his way to the playoffs and probably the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year award.
- Also, the L.A. Rams are in the playoffs with the Falcons’ loss.
- The Commanders are getting it on the ground over the first couple of plays with Jayden Daniels and Brian Robinson doing the lifting on the ground.
- If the game should end in a tie, the Commanders (10-5-1 with a tie) would clinch a wild-card playoff berth and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7) would then go into the driver’s seat in the NFC South, just needing a Week 18 win to win the division over the Falconswho would enter Week 18 at 8-7-1, and need a Bucs loss to win the division.
- It would have been a career-best for Patterson, who is in for the injured Younghoe Koo, and the game heads to overtime.
- Twelve penalties for 103 yards for Washington tonight. Michael Davis gets flagged for the pass interference, after a neutral zone infraction foul moved the ball up five yards
- Atlanta could have used a timeout after a long completion with just under 30 seconds, but elected not to
- And now the Falcons will get the ball back with 40 seconds, deep in their own end with two timeouts, and a chance to win the game with a field goal.
- The ball sailed over Bijan Robinson’s head, dealing a huge blow to Atlanta, who’ll have a 2nd and goal at the 26-yard-line and need a touchdown and PAT to tie the game at 24. A terrible mistake for the Falcons’ comeback effort.
- A questionable holding call got the Falcons behind the sticks, but Michael Penix Jr. found Drake London for 31 yards to the 19-yard-line.
- Drake London to midfield on a 3rd down to keep the drive going with 4:08 to play
- The Commanders had a touchdown come off the board after a holding call, and despite a 2nd and goal on the 1-yard-line, they’ll take a 7-point lead at 24-17. The second half has still been a dominant blowout by the Commanders, who’ve had the ball for 39 plays over 20:20 for 191 yards against the Falcons. Atlanta has run nine second-half plays and gained 14 yards.
- Daniels passed former Washington quarterback — and fellow Heisman Trophy winner — Robert Griffin III, whose old record was 815 yards.
- Dante Fowler is wrecking the game on defense. He’s been in Michael Penix Jr.’s face for a bunch of the night, and his pressure forced a huge incompletion. Now, with just over 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter — and Washington coming off back-to-back long drives — the Falcons’ defense needs a big stop to stay in the game.
- After 14 plays, 70 yards over 7:03 of game clock, the Commanders take a 21-17 lead. Atlanta needs anything — a first down, a big play — something to get going. Itsthe beginning of the fourth quarter and Washington has run 29 plays to Atlanta’s three in the second half.
- Washington ran 25 plays and gained 145 yards in the quarter, while the Falcons ran just three plays and for a total of -1 yard. The two methodical Washington drives have worn down the Atlanta defense and the Commanders are in the red zone, knocking on the door again, with a chance to take a lead to open the 4th quarter.
- Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes during the second half of an NFL football game, against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
