Jayden Daniels orchestrates game-winning drive in overtime to send Commanders to playoffs

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A Sunday night overtime thriller unfolded in the nation’s capital, and playoff implications were riddled throughout the battle between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.

While this one came down to the wire, the Commanders were victorious with a 30-24 win over the Falcons to earn their spot in the postseason.

The Commanders improved to 11-5 on the year, giving them a playoff spot as a wild card team.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. (Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Meanwhile, the Falcons head into Week 18 needing a win and a Buccaneers loss to secure the NFC South – their only chance at reaching the playoffs as other teams hold better records. 

As noted, extra time was needed for this contest, but the reason behind it was a true rookie moment for Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons’ eighth overall pick who went up against the Commanders’ No. 2 overall pick in Jayden Daniels. 

All season long, Daniels cemented himself as an Offensive Rookie of the Year frontrunner, making tremendous plays to put Washington in the position to reach the playoffs. 

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But Penix, in the second start of his young career, found himself down a touchdown with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and a playoff spot on the line.

Penix capped a surgical drive on fourth-and-goal with a 13-yard strike in between multiple Commanders defenders to find tight end Kyle Pitts,