Washington Commanders 30-24 Atlanta Falcons: Jayden Daniels plays safety on Dan Quinn's playoff side | NFL News


The Washington Commanders clinched a playoff berth with a 30-24 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

Jayden Daniels' third touchdown pass of the game made the difference as he connected with Zach Ertz with less than three minutes remaining.

The Commanders (11-5) have not been to the playoffs since 2020 and could finish as high as the sixth seed in the NFC to set up a wild-card round with Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams if they win the regular season finale in Dallas this weekend.

A loss would put them in seventh place and away to division rival Philadelphia, unless Green Bay loses to Chicago.

“The fan base has waited a long time for this. I really can't put into words how much it means to them and how much it means to me to be able to go out there and lead this franchise and this team to opportunities like this,” Daniels said.

Atlanta controlled the first half of the game, breaking down Washington's defense on the play until it was shut down. Bijan Robinson had 82 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries with a minute left in the second quarter – but he only had eight yards to go.

Penix did his best to try to get the Falcons back after falling behind 24-17. The eighth overall pick made his second professional start and capped a 12-play, 68-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts that tied the game with 1:19 left.

Atlanta Falcons running back AJ Terrell (24) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/). Nick Wass)
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The Washington Commanders will have a wild card round at either Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams if they win the regular season finale in Dallas this weekend

A Penix throw to Drake London drew a pass interference penalty with two seconds left in the game and gave Riley Patterson a chance for a field goal. But Patterson's 56-yard field goal failed as time expired, and Atlanta never got the ball back.

Daniels ran for 127 yards on the season, including 42 in OT, and completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards and had two TD passes to Ertz and another to Olamide Zaccheaus to make the playoffs in his rookie year.

In his final comeback performance, the second overall draft pick shook off an interception and a 10-point halftime deficit to lead the game-winning overtime drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to Ertz.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) waves to the crowd after an overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders won 30-24. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
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Jayden Daniels shined again with three TD passes

The Falcons (8-8) lost control of their chances to win the NFC South and secure a home playoff game. Now they have to beat Carolina and for the Buccaneers to lose to New Orleans to qualify outright.

“Control what your controls are,” Atlanta coach Raheem Morris said.

“Go out and win our football game. That's all we can do. Everything else is out of our control. Those things don't matter. What we have to do is prepare for this football game. Let's prepare for the Panthers.”

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