The Washington Commanders managed to pull out a last-second 23-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, snatching victory from the rapidly-closing jaws of defeat and securing the No. 6 seed in the NFC They will play either the Los Angeles Rams or Tampa Bay Buccaneers next weekend.
The Commanders were fighting for seeding in this game, and head coach Dan Quinn had that in mind when he started QB Jayden Daniels in the first half. But Daniels was not great, going 6-of-12 for 38 yards with 27 rushing yards on four carries. They scored just a field goal and trailed the Cowboys 6-3 at the half.
If the Cowboys had won, it would have affected playoff seeding for Washington, but it would have also been fairly embarrassing. The Cowboys were apparently more interested in saving $500,000 than giving themselves the best chance to win. They started third-stringer Trey Lance instead of Cooper Rush, who would have crossed 55% of total snaps played if he’d started and earned a $500,000 bonus.
And yet, despite a thoroughly uneven Lance starting for Dallas, Daniels starting the first half, and Daniels’ replacement Marcus Mariota throwing a TD almost immediately after Daniels left the game, the Commanders were poised to lose until the final minute of the game, when Mariota tossed a TD to a leaping Terry McLaurin. They turned a loss into a win at the last second, and avoided a rematch with a full strength Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs.
NFL Week 18 Sunday schedule
Early window
Buccaneers 27, Saints 19Panthers 44, Falcons 38Eagles 20, Giants 13Patriots 23, Bills 16Colts 26, Jaguars 23Texans 23, Titans 14Bears 24, Packers 22Commanders 23, Cowboys 19
Late window
Chiefs vs Broncos — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBSDolphins vs. Jets — 4:25 p.m. ET | FoxSeahawks vs. Rams — 4:25 p.m. ET | FoxChargers vs. Raiders — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Vikings vs. Lions — 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
Live45 updates
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:36 AM GMT+5:30
BEARS END LOSING STREAK ON LAST PLAY OF THE SEASON!
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:34 AM GMT+5:30
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM GMT+5:30
Things are getting weird in Green Bay
Oh boy. Jordan Love hasn’t played since the second quarter due to an elbow knock, but his backup Malik Willis might be injured…
Packers quarterback Jordan Love is warming up on the sideline as if he may try to go back in….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2025
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:15 AM GMT+5:30
Packers narrow gap with Bears
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:13 AM GMT+5:30
The Panthers-Falcons game will not quit
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 2:11 AM GMT+5:30
Buccaneers have returned to their bodies
It was looking pretty bleak for the Buccaneers until this play. Now they’ve got a one-point lead over the Saints.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:54 AM GMT+5:30
Have the Buccaneers been body-snatched?
What is going on with the Bucs?!
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:46 AM GMT+5:30
A.J. Brown may have permanently scarred every Eagles rookie receiver
When A.J. Brown accidentally threw Tanner McKee’s first NFL touchdown ball into the stands in Week 17, he made an impression on every Eagles rookie receiver.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:41 AM GMT+5:30
Bryce Young is feeling confident
Bryce Young, holy crap. HE TURNED AROUND TO CELEBRATE THE TD BEFORE THE BALL HAD EVEN BEEN CAUGHT. That man is feeling GOOD.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:29 AM GMT+5:30
Commanders lead Cowboys 10-9 after another Zach Ertz TD
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:26 AM GMT+5:30
Commanders replace Jayden Daniels with Marcus Mariota
The Commanders have a playoff game to prep for, so they’ve pulled their QB Jayden Daniels and put backup Marcus Mariota in for the rest of the game.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM GMT+5:30
Bucs back in it vs. Saints with Baker’s 40th TD throw
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:19 AM GMT+5:30
Emotions are sizzling between Saints and Bucs
The Saints have nothing to play for but pride. The Bucs, on the other hand, are playing for their lives and probably didn’t think they’d be down 10 points after halftime to the 5-11 Saints.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:17 AM GMT+5:30
Malik Nabers is a bright spot in a dreary Giants season
With four catches today, Malik Nabers just set a Giants season record with 108 catches. Steve Smith had 107 in 2009.
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) January 5, 2025
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:09 AM GMT+5:30
Meanwhile, Caleb Williams is not having a great day…
Yikes.
From @ESPNStatsInfo: Caleb Williams finished the first half with an average of -0.7 air yards per attempt. Among players with at least 5 pass attempts in a half, it’s the fewest air yards per attempt in a half this season, and second-fewest in a half by a Bear since 2006 (Tyson…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) January 5, 2025
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:05 AM GMT+5:30
MICHAEL PENIX IS ON FIRE
Penix cannot stop throwing bombs. He’s putting on a show right now.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 1:03 AM GMT+5:30
No seriously, Panthers-Falcons is LIT
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 12:54 AM GMT+5:30
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 12:52 AM GMT+5:30
Panthers-Falcons is a barn burner
Bijan Robinson is doing his part, and now the game is tied 17-17.
- Mon, January 6, 2025 at 12:45 AM GMT+5:30
Panthers hanging in vs. Falcons