Commander Country

Commanders vs. Falcons Fourth Quarter Updates

Rookie QBs lead the Commanders and Falcons in a historic prime-time matchup, Washington on the hunt for a playoff spot.

Joanne Coley

Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing the game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after throwing the game winning touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images / Peter Casey-Imagn Images
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With the Philadelphia Eagles clinching the NFC East, the Washington Commanders head into Week 17 determined to secure a win against the Atlanta Falcons at Northwest Stadium and secure a playoff spot.

Week 17 also marks a historic moment: the first prime-time game in NFL history between two rookie quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft. The Sunday night showdown between the Commanders and Falcons carries significant stakes, with playoff berths and seeding on the line.

Washington is aiming to improve its regular-season record to 11-5 for the first time since 1987 while also ending a playoff drought that dates back to 2020.

PREGAME

- Commanders Inactives: QB Jeff Driskel (emergency 3rd quarterback), WR Dyami Brown, CB Marshon Lattimore, S Tyler Owens, LB Dominique Hampton, LB Jordan Magee, T Andrew Wylie


- Falcons Inactives: RB Carlos Washington, CB Kevin King, DL Brandon Dorlus, OL Elijah Wilkinson, T Tyrone Wheatley Jr., T Brandon Walker, WR Casey Washington

1st Quarter

  • Atlanta will start with the ball. The Commanders will start the second half with the ball. Falcons will kneel the ball in the endzone for a touch back and will start on the 30.
  • Falcons B. Robinson to the left for 7 yards. Penix with a short right pass to K. Hodge for a gain of 9 yards. Next play, Penix to short right pass to B. Robinson but can only gain a yard. Penix next pass incomplete to D. Mooney.
  • Penix pass intended for C. Blair and it's INTERCEPTED by Q. Martin. Martin runs 29 yards before he is stopped by Falcon McCloud. Commanders will take over.
  • Commanders first possession of the night, Daniels short right pass to Zaccheous is complete for 12 yards. Daniels pass to Robinson but for only a gain of 2 yards. Daniels next play to Zaccheous and he gains 9 yards.
  • Now Robinson up the middle but for 1 yard. Next play, Daniels throws to Ertz, but it's incomplete. Daniels then to Crowder for 7 yards. 4th down, the Commanders go for it and Daniles' pass to Zaccheous is caught in the endzone. TOUCHDOWN Commanders. Commanders get on the board first. Commanders go for the extra point and its GOOD! Commanders 7, Falcons 0.
  • Falcons with the ball after a touchbak. Penix hands off to Robinson. He runs to the right for 3 yards. Penix throws to the middle and it goes in and out of the hands K. Hodge. Penix's next short pass to Pitt. He runs for 23 yards. Penix then to Robinson but only comes up with a yard.
  • Penix then finds Pitts for a short middle pass for 5 yards. 3rd down, Penix finds D. London but its incomplete. Falcons attempt a field goal on 4th down, but penalty on Commanders defense. Automatic first down for Falcons.
  • Penix finds D. London for a short left pass. He runs 13 yards before being pushed out of bounds. Penix hands the ball to Robinson for a 4 yard run. Penix then looks for K. Hodge, but the pass fall incomplete. Penix's next pass to D. London is incomplete, but pass interference on Washington M. Davis.
  • Falcons on 1st and Goal, Robinson with the direct snap and he runs it in for a touchdown. Falcons are on the board. They attempt the extra point and its GOOD. Game is tied 7-7.
  • Toucback on the Falcons kick off, Commanders will get the ball on the 30 yard line.
  • Daniels with a hand off to Robinson, but no gain. He is stopped inside by the Falcons defense. Daniels then gets caught with no where to go and is sacked. 3rd and 23, Daniels find Zaccheous, but not enough. A quick 3 and out for Washington. Commanders are forced to punt it away.
  • Commanders punt, Falcons Avery Williams on the return but is stopped, but gained 13 yards.
  • Falcons with the ball, Penix toss to Robinson for a gain of 8 yards. Penix attempts pass to Robinson, but PENALTY, false start on the Falcons Woerner. Penix then hands to Robinson, but he stumbles and only get a yard.
  • 3rd and 6 Falcons, Penix throws long to Robinson, but the pass is overthrown. Falcons punt it away with Crowder on the return for 22 yards.
  • Commanders iwth the ball, Daniels finds Ertz in the middle. Ertz falls shy of the first down.

END of the 1st quarter

2nd Quarter

  • Daniels hand off to Robinson for 12 yards for a Commanders first down. Direct snap to Robinson for 7 yards. PENALTY on the Falcons for holding. Daniels with pass to Robinson for a yard. 2nd an 9 Washington, Daniels complete a pass to McLaurin for 5 yards. 3rd down, Daniels finds Crowder for a Washington 1st down.
  • 1st and 10 Washington, Daniels with a left pass to McNichols is pushed out of bounds for a yard loss. Daniels in the middle to Zaccheous for 13 yards. 1st and 10, Daniels keeps the ball but it stopped. PENALTY, holding against Washington.
  • Daniels next possession his pass intended for Crowder is INTERCEPTED by Falcons K. Elliss. Turnover on downs. Falcons ball.
  • Falcons with the ball, Penix hands off to Allgeier for a gain of 8 yards. 2nd and 2, Penix hands off again to Allgeier for 5 yards. Penix then looks for Hodge for a deep pass, but it fall incomplete. 2nd and 10, Penix finds London for 14 yards before being pushed out of bounds.
  • Penix hands off to Robinson for 5 yards before beign thrown back by Washington defense. Next play, Penix again to Robinson for 12 yards. Penix now to Allgeier for 6 yards. 2nd and 4, Penix is under pressure by Fowler, throws to Hodge, but its incomplete. Fowler with a PENALTY of roughing the passer.
  • Penix to Robinson for the run up the right side for 8 yards beforing being pushed out of bounds. 2nd and 2, Penix to Robinson, he runs and finds the corner endzone. After review the TOUCHDOWN is called back. 1st and Goal, Falcons. Inches from the goal line, Penix keeps it and tries to extend it over the goal line, but he doesn't get it.
  • Penix to Robinson and he runs it in for Falcons TOUCHDOWN. Falcons take the lead. They attempt the extra point and its GOOD. Falcons 14, Commanders 7.
  • Touchback on the kick return, Washington will start on the 30 yard line. Daniels fake to Robinson, he keeps the ball for a gain of 25 yards. Daniels then to Robinson for 6 yards. Holding PENALTY on Washington Coleman. Commanders Biadasz injured on the play.
  • 1st and 20, Daniels is sacked by Falcons Judon. 2nd and 30, Washington calls a timeout. Out of the timeout, Daniels is chased, so he throws the ball away. 3rd and 30, Daniels find Zaccheous for a 5 yard again. Commanders get ready to punt the ball, but its the 2-minute warning.
  • Commanders punt the ball away after the 2-minute warning. Flag is thrown, holding on the Commanders D. Forrest.
  • Penix with a toss to Robinson, he gains 9 before being stopped by Chinn. Penix next hand off to Robinson, he runs right for a gain of 9 yards. Penix then throws to London for 17 yards before sliding out of bounds.
  • 1st and 10, Penix finds Mooney for 12 yards. Penix finds Pitts for 3 yards. 16 seconds in the half, Penix pass intended for Robinson is incomplete. Penix throws toward the endzone to London, but pass is incomplete. Field goal team takes the field. Falcons kick a field goal for 3 points. Falcons leading the Commanders, 17 to 7 going into the half. Commanders will start the second half with the ball.

Halftime: Falcons 17, Commanders 7

3rd Quarter

  • Commander will recieve the ball tho start the quarter. McCaffrey on a 29 yard return.
  • First possession of the half, Daniels pass intended for Zaccheous is incomplete. Holding PENALTY on Washington Sam Cosmi.
  • Next play, Daniels throws to Brian Robinson for 5 yards. Daniels almost sacked, but breaks free and then stumbles. Daniels tries to run, but is taken down. PENALTY illegal contact on Falcons D. Malone. First down Commanders.
  • Daniels finds Crowder, but he drops the pass. 2nd and 10, Daniels hands off to Robinson, he runs up he middle and gains 10 yards. Next play, Daniels left pass to Zaccheous for 11 yards. PENALTY on Washington for holding.
  • Daniels short left pass to Ertz is completed for a gain of 38 yards. Then short pass to McNichols falls incomplete. 2nd and 10, McNichols makes his way on the inside for 5 yards. 3rd and 5, Daniels rush the ball and gets first down for the Commanders.
  • Daniels looks for McLaurin and he can't keep control of the ball. Pass incomplete. Daniels tries to find McLaurin again and it falls incomplete again. 3rd and 10, Daniles complete to Crowder, just shy of the first down.
  • Washington on the 4th down attempt, and gets the first down, thanks to a run by Daniels.
  • Commanders Robinson runs in the middle for 3 yards. Next play, Daniels is chased he runs for 4 yards. Daniels next short pass to Ertz is caught in the endzone. TOUCHDOWN Commanders. Extra point attempt is good. Commanders closing the gap. Falcons 17, Commanders 14.
  • Falcons Wiliams on the return for 31 yards. Penix hand off to Robinson for 1 yard gain. Penix throw to London is complete for 4 yards. Penix lost the football, but he recovers it. Holding PENALTY on Falcons defense, 4th down. Falcons punt it away.
  • Commanders got the ball back, first play, Daniels runs for 13 yard gain. Daniels hands off, but whistle blown, PENALTY on Washington Sam Cosmi. Next play, Daniels middle pass to McLaurin incomplete. Daniels keeps th ball and runs for the 1st down. He gained 18 yards.
  • 1st and 10, hand off to Rodriguez for 2 yards. Daniesls scrambles for 3 yards. Daniels deep pass to McLaurin is incomplete, its now 4th and 5. Daniels to McNichols on the 4th down attempt and its successful. First down Commanders.
  • Atlatna takes first timeout of the half. After the timeout, Daniels finds Zaccheous for 6 yards. Daniels to Zaccheous again for 8 yards. Daniels keeps it for a gain of 5 yards.

End of 3rd quarter

4th Quarter

  • Daniels hand off to Rodriguez and he powers through for 4 yards. Rodriguez again for 2 yards. Rodriguez handles the ball again for 6 yards. Daniels pitch to Rodriguez, he'll carry the ball for a Commanders TOUCHDOWN. Extra point attempt is good. Washington takes the lead. Commanders 21, Falcons 17.
  • Falcons take a kneel in the endzone on the return. Falcons take the ball on the 30 yard line. Penix pass to Woerner is complete. He picks up 6 yards. Penix hands off to Robinson for 2 yards. Penix finds McCloud for 9 yards. Penix is under pressure, makes an incomplete pass.
  • Next play, pass intended for London goes in and out of his hands. Penix under pressure and he fumbles, but recovered by Atlanta. Fourth down so they punt away. Crowder on the return for 17 yards.
  • Commanders take over, pass complete to Zaccheous for 16 yards. Next play, Daniles keeps the ball for 7 yards. With the run, Daniels breaks all-time rushing recrod by a rookie quarterback.
  • Robinson on the carry for 11 yards. Robinson again for 12 yards. Robins runs left but for a yard. Daniels then with a short middle pass to Bates. He gains 14 yards. Washington takes a timeout.
  • 1st and goal, Daniels run he gets to the two yard line. 2nd and goal, Washington takes a timeout. Daniles hand off to Robinson but he's stopped loses a yard. 3rd and goal, Daniels finds Zaccheous in the endzone. PENALTY holding on Washington Sam Cosmi.
  • 3rd and goal, Daniels pass incomplete to McLaurin. Commanders settle for a field goal. Commanders extend the lead. Commanders 24, Falcons 17.
  • Falcons Avery Williams on the kick return for 27 yards. Penix hands off ro Robinson, he gets to the outside for a gain of 7 yards. Penix throw to London across the field is incomplete. 3rd and 5, Penix short right pass to London complete for a first down.
  • Penix scrambles and finds Pitts, but a flag is thrown. Holding PENALTY on Falcons. Next play, Penix short pass to Robinson. He gains 6 yards before being swarmed by Commanders defemse. Penix looks deeps, but then scrambles for 4 yards.
  • 3rd and 11, Penix to Pitts and its incomplete, Jeremy Chinn on the coverage. Penix to London for 31 yards and a 1st down. Penix hands off to McCloud for 14 yards. Next play, high snap, Penix loses the ball, but recovers it. Loss of 21 yards. 2-minute warning.
  • 2nd and goal, Penix to London for 13 yards. Penix looking to London again and he's overthrown. Penix then to Pitts and TOUCHDOWN Falcons. Extra points is good and its tied.
  • Falcons kick to endzone, toucback. Washington will take it on the 30 yard line.
  • Daniels gets brought down. Daniels then across the middle to McLaurin but it falls incomplete. 3rd and 10, Daniels to Zaccheous and its incomplete. 3 and out for the Commanders. Commanders punt and Falcons Williams is stopped. He only gains 9 yards.
  • 40 seconds left in the game. Penix finds Mooney for 25 yards. Penix to Mooney again and its incomplete. Penix looks to London and that pass falls incomplete too. Timeout Falcons.
  • 3rd and 10, PENALTY, neutral zone infraction on Washington. Still 3rd down. Next play Penix pass intended for Mooney, PENALTY pass interference on Washington.
  • 56 yard field goal attempt for Falcons, and the attempt is no good. The game will head into overtime.

OVERTIME

  • Touchback, Washington will get the ball on the 30 yard line. False start on Washington, 5 yard penalty.
  • Daniels runs for 6 yards. Next play, Daniels finds Ertz for a first down. Daniels then takes the ball again and runs for 7 yards. Daniels with a hand off to Brian Robinson but is stopped. 3rd and 2, Daniels srambles and runs and get 16 yards before getting out of bounds.
  • Daniels then with an inside throw to Ertz. 2nd down, Rodriguez with the catch down the sideline. Daniels with a right pass to Brian Robinson. Daniels with a run fir the first down, 1st and goal Commanders.
  • Dainels runs to the left, but is stopped. Daniels runs up the middle gets stopped right at the goal line. Commanders take a timeout. 3rd and goal, Daniels to Ertz for the TOUCHDOWN! Commanders clinch playoff spot first time since 2020.

FINAL: Commanders 30, Falcons 24

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

More Washington Commanders News

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• Five Questions Ahead of Falcons vs. Commanders

• Commanders Announce Key Roster Move Ahead of Week 17 Matchup vs. Falcons

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Joane Coley
JOANNE COLEY

Joanne Coley, from Prince George’s County, MD, is a communications professional passionate about storytelling and sports. She holds a bachelor’s in Communications from Kent State University and a Master’s in Communications/Public Relations from Southern New Hampshire University. Since 2018, she has served as Communications Manager at the Council of the Great City Schools. A foodie and traveler, Joanne is also a former state champion in high school shotput and standout athlete in softball.

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