LANDOVER, Md. — Jayden Daniels related with Zach Ertz in time beyond regulation for his third landing move of the sport to get the Washington Commanders into the playoffs by beating the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 on Sunday evening in a back-and-forth prime-time showdown between extremely drafted rookie quarterbacks.
Daniels ran for a season-high 127 yards and accomplished 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards and had two TD passes to Ertz and one other to Olamide Zaccheaus to make the playoffs in his rookie yr.
In his newest comeback efficiency in a season filled with them, the No. 2 general choose within the draft in April shook off an interception and a 10-point halftime deficit and led the profitable drive in time beyond regulation that was capped with the 2-yard move to Ertz.
The Commanders (11-5) might transfer as much as the sixth seed within the NFC and arrange a wild-card spherical sport at Tampa Bay or the Los Angeles Rams in the event that they win their regular-season finale at Dallas subsequent weekend. They in any other case could be seventh and go to division-rival Philadelphia until Inexperienced Bay loses to Chicago.
The Falcons (8-8) misplaced management of their possibilities of profitable the NFC South and making certain a house playoff sport. They now must beat Carolina and for the Buccaneers to lose to New Orleans to qualify altogether.
Atlanta was in management for the primary half of the sport, gashing Washington’s protection with the operating sport till abandoning it. Bijan Robinson had 82 yards and two landing runs on 13 carries till a minute was left within the second quarter — however had simply 8 yards the remainder of the best way.
Penix did his greatest to attempt to carry the Falcons again after they fell behind 24-17 late. The eighth choose within the draft made his second skilled begin and completed a 12-play, 68-yard drive with a landing move to Kyle Pitts to tie it with 1:19 left.
A throw from Penix to Drake London drew a move interference penalty with 2 seconds left in regulation and gave Riley Patterson an opportunity at a go-ahead subject purpose. However Patterson’s 56-yard try fell quick as time expired and Atlanta by no means obtained the ball again.
Penix completed 19 of 35 for 223 yards.
