A Sunday evening time beyond regulation thriller unfolded within the nation’s capital, and playoff implications had been riddled all through the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.
Whereas this one got here all the way down to the wire, the Commanders had been victorious with a 30-24 win over the Falcons to earn their spot within the postseason.
The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the yr, giving them a playoff spot as a wild card workforce.
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Washington Commanders large receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a landing in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons throughout the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Pictures)
In the meantime, the Falcons head into Week 18 needing a win and a Buccaneers loss to safe the NFC South – their solely probability at reaching the playoffs as different groups maintain higher information.
As famous, additional time was wanted for this contest, however the motive behind it was a real rookie second for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth total choose who went up in opposition to the Commanders’ No. 2 total choose in Jayden Daniels.
All season lengthy, Daniels cemented himself as an Offensive Rookie of the 12 months frontrunner, making large performs to place Washington within the place to succeed in the playoffs.
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However Penix, within the second begin of his younger profession, discovered himself down a landing with lower than 5 minutes to play within the fourth quarter and a playoff spot on the road.
Penix capped a surgical drive on fourth-and-goal with a 13-yard strike in between a number of Commanders defenders to search out tight finish Kyle Pitts, which tied the sport after the additional level went by the uprights.
After a three-and-out by Daniels and the Commanders’ offense, who had an opportunity at a game-winning drive, Penix and the Falcons had simply over one minute to attempt to get into area objective vary for Riley Patterson.
They got here very shut after Penix discovered Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard pickup that bought them close to midfield. Nevertheless, on third-and-5 from the Atlanta 49-yard line, a move from Penix to Mooney resulted in defensive move interference, which allowed Patterson to at the least attempt a 56-yarder for the win.
The following kick was on line, however it didn’t have sufficient leg because it landed behind the tip zone to power time beyond regulation.
Atlanta Falcons working again Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a landing in opposition to the Washington Commanders throughout the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searls-Imagn Pictures)
However as Penix had his rookie second, Daniels added one more game-winning drive to his resume after successful the coin flip and preserving the ball from Atlanta.
Simply as Daniels did in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles final week, he drove downfield in 12 performs utilizing his legs and arms, killing 7:18 of time beyond regulation clock to finally discover himself third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels dropped again to move and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusty tight finish, whose second landing of the evening was the game-winner.
Daniels completed the sport with 227 passing yards with three touchdowns and one interception, whereas speeding for a game-high 127 yards on 16 carries.
Olamide Zaccheaus was the primary landing scorer for Washington, and he led the workforce with 85 yards on eight receptions. Ertz completed with 72 yards on six catches.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to throw the ball in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons throughout the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Amber Searls-Imagn Pictures)
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For the Falcons, Penix ended the evening 19-for-35 for 223 yards with one landing and one interception. Drake London was the sport’s prime receiver with 106 yards on seven catches.
Bijan Robinson additionally had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
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