The Washington Commanders overcame a sloppy first half Sunday night at Northwest Stadium coming back to beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-24 in overtime clinching a playoff berth and reaching the 11-win mark for the first time since 1991 – the last time the franchise won the Super Bowl.
🚨 🚨 JD5 coming up HUGE in the 2nd half to lead WSH back to the PLAYOFFS for the first time since 2020🚨🚨@mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/k7ynPGGsrf
— Lynnell Willingham (@Nell_BTP) December 30, 2024
Nell’s Super 6 Pack
1. Jayden Daniels is the Savior the DMV Needed
Sunday night, Jayden Daniels once again proved why he is a godsend to Commander fans across America. All year long, this young man has played his best in the game’s biggest moments. In the second half, Daniels led back-to-back 14-plus-play scoring drives, eating up 13 minutes in the third quarter. But Daniels saved his best for last. On the game-winning drive in overtime, Daniels rushed for 42 yards and threw the game-winning touchdown, securing a playoff spot for the Commanders. He may not win MVP this year, but Daniels will undoubtedly be in the conversation for years to come.
2. The Fans Never Went Away—They Just Needed a Reason to Come Out
2024 has been a magical ride for the Commanders. It feels like a season of destiny. But what cannot be overlooked is the support of the fan base. For years, opposing teams took over Washington’s home field in big-time games. That was not the case Sunday, in the biggest game in quite some time. In a game that saw momentum shift several times, the fans stayed in the fight the entire time. When it mattered most, they were rowdy and disruptive. One fan told me, “It was so loud in there, I couldn’t hear myself think.” It’s safe to say the entire DMV region is onboard for the Commanders’ return to glory. What a time to be alive.
3. The Play Doesn’t Care Who Makes It
Over the past several weeks, the Commanders’ running game has been extremely inconsistent. Last week, Brian Robinson fumbled twice, and his play was uneven as a runner. Sunday night, he was not effective early on. However, on a big drive in the fourth quarter, backup running back Chris Rodriguez stepped up when his number was called, breaking tackles en route to a touchdown that gave Washington the lead. They never looked back. Anybody. Anywhere. Anytime.
4. It’s All About Adjustments
In the first half of Sunday night’s win over Atlanta, Washington struggled to contain the Falcons’ rushing attack, allowing back-breaking runs left and right. Run defense has been an issue all year for this group. But in the second half, when they needed stops the most, they got them. For the second consecutive week, the defense was markedly better in the second half, highlighting the adjustments made in the locker room at halftime. Despite the second-half improvements, run defense remains a major concern moving forward.
5. Shopping at the Bargain Box
For the second consecutive week, Olamide Zaccheaus came up big when his team needed him the most. Last week, he scored two touchdowns. This week, he was the most targeted receiver on offense, racking up 85 yards and a touchdown on eight catches. When General Manager Adam Peters signed OZ back this spring, nobody could have predicted the impact he would have on this team. Since training camp, it was evident that OZ was going to contribute in some way, and now, in a playoff-clinching game, you’re seeing just how important he is.
6. Game Balls
Jayden Daniels
Zach Ertz
Olamide Zaccheaus
Jeremy Chinn
Quan Martin
Tress Way
