{"id":584475,"date":"2024-12-30T23:13:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-31T03:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the-hogs.net\/blogs\/?p=584475"},"modified":"2025-06-22T12:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-22T16:49:07","slug":"commanders-week-17-versus-falcons-daniels-ertz-send-washington-to-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-hogs.net\/blogs\/2024\/12\/30\/commanders-week-17-versus-falcons-daniels-ertz-send-washington-to-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Commanders Week 17 Versus Falcons: Daniels, Ertz Send Washington to Playoffs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you see that Commanders Week 17 versus Falcons finish? Jayden Daniels once again put the Washington Commanders on his back, delivering a clutch overtime touchdown to tight end Zach Ertz that secured a 30\u201324 victory over Atlanta \u2014 and clinched a playoff berth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cI really can\u2019t put into words how much it means,\u201d Daniels said. \u201cTo lead this franchise to opportunities like that \u2014 it\u2019s special.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Washington improved to 11-5 with the win and remains in contention for the NFC\u2019s sixth seed entering the final week of the regular season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daniels Dominates in Commanders Week 17 Versus Falcons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Daniels ran for a season-high 127 yards<\/strong>, including 42 in overtime<\/strong>, and completed 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards<\/strong> with three touchdowns<\/strong>. Two went to Ertz and one to Olamide Zaccheaus. The rookie also overcame an interception and a 10-point halftime deficit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cYou want to be in these moments,\u201d said linebacker Bobby Wagner. \u201cEverybody believes he\u2019s going to make a play.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With 30 total touchdowns and 864 rushing yards<\/strong>, Daniels passed Robert Griffin III for the most rushing yards by a rookie QB in franchise history and tied Russell Wilson for third-most touchdowns by a rookie in NFL history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commanders Clinch Playoff Spot With OT Heroics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a game that featured two top-10 rookie quarterbacks, it was Daniels who had the final word. He led a 75-yard overtime drive after Atlanta missed a game-winning field goal attempt at the end of regulation. The drive ended with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Ertz \u2014 sealing Washington\u2019s third straight win.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe fan base waited a long time for this,\u201d Daniels said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Washington will face Dallas in Week 18 with a chance to improve playoff seeding. A win could bump the Commanders up to the sixth seed, setting up a trip to Tampa Bay or Los Angeles in the Wild Card round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Falcons Collapse in Second Half<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Falcons (8-8) were in control early behind a strong first half from Bijan Robinson<\/strong>, who had 82 rushing yards and two scores before halftime. But after abandoning the run, Atlanta\u2019s offense struggled to maintain momentum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rookie QB Michael Penix Jr.<\/strong>, making his second start, completed 19-of-35 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. He tied the game at 24 late with a scoring strike to Kyle Pitts, but couldn\u2019t get Atlanta over the line in overtime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s always a fight with them,\u201d said Commanders LB Frankie Luvu. \u201cBut we stuck to our fundamentals.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A final drive gave kicker Riley Patterson a shot at a 56-yard game-winner, but the attempt fell short.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

? View Full Box Score: Commanders vs. Falcons \u2013 Week 17<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Milestones in Commanders Week 17 Versus Falcons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n