Commanders reach NFL playoffs for first time since 2020 as Jayden Daniels inspires overtime win vs Falcons

The Washington Commanders secured their first playoff berth since 2020 after winning a dramatic overtime battle with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

The Commanders needed a second-half comeback and overtime to secure a postseason berth. While Jayden Daniels pulled the strings, Washington pulled it off.

Daniels finished the game with 24 completions on 36 attempts for 227 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Daniels had 16 carries for 127 yards.

Daniels also surpassed another Washington rookie phenom, Robert Griffin III, to set the NFL rookie record for rushing yards by a quarterback. With one game left in the regular season, Daniels has 864 rushing yards.

The Commanders trailed 17-7 at halftime and scored 17 unanswered in the second half until the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

Michael Penix Jr.’s first NFL touchdown pass tied the Falcons. A missed 56-yard field goal by Riley Patterson as time expired sent the game to overtime.

The Commanders won the toss and were awarded the opening kickoff of overtime and never gave the ball back to Atlanta.

More to follow.