The thrill of overtime was revealed Sunday night in the nation's capital, and the playoff implications were evident throughout the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington leaders.
While this came down to the wire, the Commanders prevailed 30-24 Above the hawks To earn their spot in the postseason.
The Leaders improved to 11-5 on the year, giving them a playoff spot as a Wild Card team.
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Washington Leaders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheus, 14, celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Jeff Burke-Imagine)
Meanwhile, the Falcons head into Week 18 needing a win and Pirates loss To secure the NFC South – their only chance to reach the playoffs as other teams hold better records.
As stated, extra time was needed for this contest, but the reason for that was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons' eighth overall pick who faced off against the Leaders' No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels.
Throughout the season, Daniels cemented himself as the offensive rookie of the year, making huge plays to put Washington in a position to reach the playoffs.
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But Penix, making just the second start of his young career, found himself on the verge of a touchdown with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and a playoff point on the line.
Penix capped off a surgical strike on fourth-and-goal with a 13-yard shot between several Commanders defenders to find tight end Kyle Pitts, who tied the game after the extra point went off the post.
After a three-and-out blitz by Daniels and the Commanders, who had a chance to make the game-winner, Penix and the Falcons had just over a minute to try to get into Riley Patterson's field goal range.
They came very close after Penix found Darnell Mooney for a 25-yard pickup that put them near midfield. However, on third-and-5 from Atlanta's 49-yard line, a pass from Penix to Mooney led to a defensive pass interference, allowing Patterson to attempt at least 56 yards for the win.
The ensuing kick was on the goal line, but it didn't have enough leg as it fell in the back of the end zone to force overtime.
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Amber Searles-Imagine)
But while Penix was enjoying his rookie moment, Daniels added another game-winning drive to his resume after winning the coin flip and keeping the ball from Atlanta.
Just as Daniels did against the Philadelphia Eagles last week, he drove down the field on a 12-play drive using his arms and legs, killing 7:18 of the overtime clock to eventually find himself on third-and-goal from the Atlanta two-yard line.
Daniels dropped back to pass and lasered the ball to Zach Ertz, his reliable tight end, whose second touchdown of the night was the game-winner.
Daniels finished the game with 227 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries.
Olamide Zaccheaus was Washington's first kicker, leading the team with 85 yards on eight receptions. Ertz finished with 72 yards on six catches.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to throw the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Northwest Stadium. (Photos by Amber Searles-Imagine)
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For the Falcons, Penix finished the night 19-for-35 for 223 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Drake London was the game's leading receiver with 106 yards on seven catches.
Bijan Robinson also had 90 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
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