“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commaners’ schedule.
Washington 30, Atlanta 24 – Week 17, Dec. 29, 2024
Jayden Daniels and Zach Ertz connected on a two-yard touchdown pass with 2:32 remaining in overtime, lifting Washington to a 30-24 win over Atlanta at Northwest Stadium in Landover.
In overtime, Daniels put the Commanders on his back. Washington won the toss and Daniels proceeded to have runs of 7, 7, 16, 6, and 6 yards. Daniels also completed passes to Zach Ertz (4 yards), Chris Rodriguez (12 yards) and Brian Robinson (4 yards), setting the stage for his winning toss to Ertz. Daniels finished his huge night with three touchdown passes, passing for 227 yards and rushing for 127 yards.
The Commanders had trailed 17-14 entering the final quarter; however Chris Rodriguez scored from two yards, giving Washington a 21-17 lead with 13:03 to play. This was followed by a 31-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez with 4:32 remaining, providing Washington a touchdown lead at 24-17.
Yet the Falcons drove 68 yards, tying the game when Michael Penix found Kyle Pitts for a 13-yard touchdown with 1:19 remaining. Two Jayden Daniels incompletions meant there were still 50 seconds remaining when Tress Way had to punt the ball back to the Falcons. Penix completed a 25-yard pass to Darnell Mooney, and Daron Payne committed a neutral zone infraction, giving the Falcons a 56-yard field goal attempt as time expired. But former Commanders’ kicker Riley Patterson missed, sending the game to overtime.
Daniels did the rest. Washington has won the last four meetings.