If you live in and around the DMV, you know that December weather can be 10 inches of snow or a 60-degree day.
On Sunday, it was a 60-degree day. For those heading to Northwest Stadium, the weather was as magical as the Washington Commanders season.
In August, not even the most dedicated fans thought the Commanders would have a chance to clinch a playoff spot in Week 17. This season was supposed to be the first of a long, painful rebound after years of mismanagement by the Daniel Snyder-led ownership group. Even though the NFL’s business model resembles socialistic principles on steroids, it doesn’t prevent poorly run teams from being habitual losers. It prevents them from losing money. There’s a big difference.
That’s why every Commanders fan should enjoy every second of this season. There was the exciting late-game win in prime time over Cincinnati, the Hail Mary against Chicago, and then there was last night.
After taking advantage of Michael Penix Jr.’s interception, Washington’s offensive possessions were as follows: punt, interception, punt, end of half.
In the past, that would have been a recipe for disaster, both on the field and in the stands, where most of the fans would have been Atlanta fans getting tickets on the secondary market, but it’s a new day.
Despite the poor start, Commanders fans have learned how to believe. What’s a bad 30 minutes when you have what many believe is the Rookie of the Year at quarterback?
The second half started with a 15-play, 69-yard drive that included overcoming two holding penalties.
After allowing Atlanta to score on three of its last four first-half possessions, the Commanders’ defense rose up and forced a three-and-out. Washington followed the defensive stop with another touchdown drive that involved overcoming another Sam Cosmi penalty (this time, it was a false start).
Just like that, the Commanders were up 21-17.
Bad first half, what bad first half?
If there was a ding on the offense in the second half it was the inability to get a touchdown that, more than likely, would have sealed the game. The drive ended in a field goal and, yes, the Commanders had to overcome a penalty on Cosmi on that drive.
Atlanta would get the tying touchdown on a beautiful 12-play, 68-yard drive led by Penix Jr., who didn’t look like a quarterback making only his second start. Penix Jr.’s pass to Kyle Pitts was a thing of beauty.
Washington’s offense came on the field with over a minute left. Here is where the magic is supposed to happen. Jayden Daniels will carve up the Falcons’ defense and lead the Commanders to a win at the buzzer.
None of that happened. Washington would go 3-and-out, including a brutal drop by Olamide Zaccheaus on 3rd down. Until then, Zaccheaus had been Washington’s best wide receiver of the night.
Where did the magic go?
Penix Jr. welcomed the opportunity to announce himself as the rookie quarterback who would deliver at the end, and he did that until the moment that Riley Patterson missed a 56-yard field goal. In an era where 50+ yard field goals have become routine, Patterson’s attempt was short.
The magic was slightly late, but it showed up.
Washington won the toss and chose to have the ball first in overtime, and the Daniels happened. It was borderline NBA-esque. A player putting his team on his back and carrying them to a win. That’s much harder to do in the NFL than in the NBA.
The game-winning 12-play, 70-yard drive saw Daniels account for every yard via his legs or arm except for a one-yard run by Brian Robinson Jr.
The drive ended with a perfect two-yard touchdown pass to Zach Ertz. Game. Set. Match.
Washington 30 Atlanta 24
Once again, Washington found its magic, a playoff birth, and more reason for a beleaguered fan base to believe.
