A Sunday night time extra time thriller unfolded within the nation’s capital, and playoff implications have been riddled all through the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.
While this one got here all the way down to the wire, the Commanders have 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 group.
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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 Images)
Meanwhile, the Falcons head into Week 18 needing a win and a Buccaneers loss to safe the NFC South – their solely likelihood at reaching the playoffs as different groups maintain higher information.
As famous, further time was wanted for this contest, however the purpose behind it was a real rookie second for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth general choose who went up in opposition to the Commanders’ No. 2 general choose in Jayden Daniels.
All season lengthy, Daniels cemented himself as an Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner, making great performs to place Washington within the place to achieve the playoffs.
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But 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 via 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 purpose vary for Riley Patterson.
They got here very shut after Penix discovered Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard pickup that obtained them close to midfield. However, on third-and-5 from the Atlanta 49-yard line, a go from Penix to Mooney resulted in defensive go interference, which allowed Patterson to at the least strive a 56-yarder for the win.
The ensuing kick was on line, but it surely didn’t have sufficient leg because it landed at the back of the top zone to power extra time.
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 Images)
But as Penix had his rookie second, Daniels added yet one more game-winning drive to his resume after successful the coin flip and maintaining the ball from Atlanta.
Just 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 extra time clock to finally discover himself third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels dropped again to go and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his trusty tight finish, whose second landing of the night time was the game-winner.
Daniels completed the sport with 227 passing yards with three touchdowns and one interception, whereas dashing for a game-high 127 yards on 16 carries.
Olamide Zaccheaus was the primary landing scorer for Washington, and he led the group 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 Images)
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For the Falcons, Penix ended the night time 19-for-35 for 223 yards with one landing and one interception. Drake London was the sport’s high receiver with 106 yards on seven catches.
Bijan Robinson additionally had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
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