The Washington Commanders secured their place as a Wild Card team in the playoffs with a thrilling overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Northwest Stadium. A standout performance from a key player in the extra period proved pivotal as Washington orchestrated a methodical drive to the end zone, sealing the win and keeping Atlanta's offense off the field.
This victory, improving Washington to 11-5, marks their first playoff berth since 2020 and their best regular-season record since the historic 1991 campaign. That year, the then-Washington Redskins went 14-2 and capped their dominance by hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered an all-around performance, cementing his place as a rising star.
Daniels completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries. His rushing total ranks among the top 20 all-time for quarterbacks in a single game. In overtime, Daniels accounted for 56 of the Commanders' 70 yards on the game-winning drive, capping it with a touchdown pass to tight end Zach Ertz.
Daniels' contributions were pivotal throughout the game, including touchdown passes to Olamide Zaccheaus on the opening drive and Ertz during regulation. The Commanders now shift their focus to a Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium.
Despite playoff seeding secured, Washington faces a challenge against a Cowboys team that defeated them earlier this season. While it remains uncertain whether the Commanders' starters will take the field, the matchup presents Washington with a valuable opportunity to sustain the momentum gained from clinching a playoff berth.
