Commanders reach NFL playoffs for first time since 2020 as Jayden Daniels inspires overtime win vs Falcons
The Washington Commanders have secured their first playoff berth since 2020 after edging a dramatic overtime battle with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
The Commanders needed a second-half comeback and overtime to secure a postseason place. With Jayden Daniels pulling the strings, Washington pulled it off.
Daniels finished the game with 24 completions on 36 attempts for 227 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Daniels had 16 carries for 127 rushing yards.
Daniels also surpassed another Washington rookie phenom, Robert Griffin III, to set the NFL rookie record for rushing yards by a quarterback. With one game remaining in the regular season, Daniels has 864 rushing yards.
The Commanders trailed 17-7 at halftime and scored 17 unanswered in the second half until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.
Michael Penix Jr.'s first NFL touchdown pass brought the Falcons even. A missed 56-yard field goal from Riley Patterson as time expired sent the game to overtime.
The Commanders have secured their first playoff berth since 2020 after beating the Falcons
In Daniels' first season in Washington, he has led the resurgent Commanders to an 11-5 record
The Commanders won the coin toss and received overtime's opening kickoff and never gave the ball back to Atlanta.
Daniel's 2-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz clinched a postseason berth with a season finale against Dallas next week.
Washington has not won a playoff game since January 2006, with the Eagles and Rams looking like potential Wild Card opponents.
The Commanders last playoff victory was on the road against the Buccaneers when Daniels was barely 5 years old.
Washington could move up to the No 6 seed in the NFC with a Packers loss in Week 18 and a victory over the Cowboys.
The Falcons have lost control of their playoff destiny, needing a Buccaneers Week 18 loss and a victory themselves to make the postseason.
The Commanders head into the final week of Daniels' first regular season in the NFL with an 11-5 record.
