Daniels Delivers Late Touchdown as Washington Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive

The Washington Commanders found themselves on the brink of another frustrating loss, but quarterback Jayden Daniels delivered a familiar late game comeback to lead his team to a dramatic 24-21 victory over the New York Giants on Thursday night in Week 10 of the NFL season.

Despite throwing two interceptions, Daniels put Washington in position to steal the victory, connecting with Stefon Diggs on a go ahead, 32-yard touchdown pass with just 57 seconds remaining. The late scoring strike capped a comeback that kept the Commanders’ season alive and gave them an important division victory.

Daniels completed 23 of 33 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 28 rushing yards on 10 carries. His other touchdown passes went to tight end Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams. Washington (3-5-1) moved within two games of the NFC East leading Giants (5-3-1) and gained the tiebreaker advantage after the teams played to a tie in their previous meeting last month.

Daniels Overcomes Two Interceptions to Deliver in the Clutch

For much of Thursday night’s contest, it appeared Daniels’ mistakes might prove too costly for Washington. The Commanders quarterback threw his first two interceptions of the season on consecutive passing attempts, with Jevon Holland intercepting him on his 208th attempt and Ar’Darius Washington picking him off on his 211th.

The turnovers threatened to derail Washington’s comeback hopes, particularly after New York capitalized on the momentum. Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy connected with Isaiah Likely on a 66-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter to give New York a 21-17 advantage. Running back Cam Skattebo also found the end zone twice for the Giants, putting Washington in a difficult position late in the game.

However, Daniels and the Commanders responded with the kind of late-game execution that became familiar during his memorable rookie season in 2024. With the game on the line, Washington’s franchise quarterback put his earlier mistakes behind him and engineered the winning drive.

A pass interference penalty helped the Commanders move downfield and into scoring position before Daniels found Diggs breaking open for the decisive touchdown. Diggs hauled in the 32-yard reception and celebrated his 80th career touchdown catch, becoming the 30th player in NFL history to reach that milestone.

Giants Unable to Close Out Washington

The Giants had several opportunities to put the game away but could not do enough offensively to keep Washington from getting the ball back. New York struggled to establish a consistent ground game late in the contest, preventing the Giants from running down the clock and protecting their fourth-quarter lead. One quarterback sneak by Jameis Winston was initially ruled a first down, but Commanders coach Dan Quinn challenged the spot, and the call was overturned.

Winston also attempted to draw Washington offsides with a hard count that included barking and a reference to the song “Who Let the Dogs Out.” The unusual tactic did not work, and the Giants eventually had to punt, giving Daniels another opportunity to lead his team down the field. Washington took advantage, putting together the decisive drive that ended with Diggs’ touchdown reception.

McCarthy Throws for Career High 293 Yards in First Giants Home Start

Despite the heartbreaking finish, McCarthy delivered an impressive performance in his first home start for New York since arriving in a trade from Minnesota in late September. The quarterback threw for a career-high 293 yards and connected with Likely on the 66-yard touchdown that briefly put the Giants ahead in the fourth quarter.

However, McCarthy’s night ended with a costly mistake. With New York attempting to respond to Washington’s go-ahead touchdown, Rasul Douglas intercepted him in the final minute to seal the Commanders’ victory. The interception sent Giants fans toward the exits as Washington celebrated an important divisional win.

Rookie Kickers Have Different Nights

The game also featured contrasting performances from the two rookie kickers. Washington’s Drew Stevens connected on a 46-yard field goal, providing valuable points for the Commanders. New York’s Dominic Zvada, meanwhile, missed a 33-yard field goal attempt wide left. Zvada’s recent struggles continued after a promising start to his NFL career. After making his first nine consecutive field goals, the Giants rookie has converted just eight of his last 14 attempts.

Commanders Keep NFC East Hopes Alive

The victory gives Washington a much-needed boost in the NFC East race, particularly after a season filled with difficult results. At 3-5-1, the Commanders remain two games behind New York and now have the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage. For Daniels, Thursday night’s performance was another reminder of the late-game magic that helped define his rookie campaign.

Although his two interceptions nearly cost Washington the game, he responded when his team needed him most. The Commanders now have renewed hope in the division race, while the Giants are left to regroup after letting a fourth quarter lead slip away in a game that could have created significant separation at the top of the NFC East.