In a thrilling overtime matchup, Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a 30-24 victory over Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons. Daniels had an impressive performance, completing 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards, along with three touchdowns and one interception. This win not only improved the Commanders' record to 11-5 but also secured them a playoff berth for the first time since 2020.
Penix Jr. fought hard for the Falcons, finishing with 19 completions on 35 attempts for 223 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but it wasn't enough to avoid a heartbreaking defeat that left their record at 8-8. In a remarkable feat, Daniels surpassed Robert Griffin III for the most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in Commanders' history, amassing 820 rushing yards this season.
The game was filled with excitement, starting with Olamide Zaccheaus scoring the first touchdown for Washington. However, the Falcons responded strongly, with Bijan Robinson scoring two touchdowns and Riley Patterson adding a field goal, giving Atlanta a 17-7 lead at halftime. The Commanders rallied after the break, with Daniels connecting with Zach Ertz and Chris Rodriguez Jr. to take a 24-17 lead. The Falcons tied the game late in the fourth quarter, leading to overtime.
In overtime, the Commanders dominated possession, culminating in a game-winning touchdown pass from Daniels to Ertz, sealing the victory. Fans and analysts alike praised Daniels for his clutch performance, with many suggesting he deserves MVP consideration as a rookie. The Commanders now look forward to their final regular-season game against the Dallas Cowboys, aiming to build on their momentum heading into the playoffs.
