Overtime Mistakes Cost Washington Commanders in 27-27 Tie Against New York Giants

Daniels Shines in Return From Injury as Washington Settles for Tie

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels made an impressive return from injury, throwing for 199 yards and rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns, but a costly overtime mistake prevented Washington from securing a victory in a 27-27 tie against the New York Giants on Sunday.

Daniels appeared to provide exactly what the Commanders needed after missing time with a dislocated left elbow. Completing 68% of his passes while combining for 302 yards through the air and on the ground, the second-year quarterback showcased the explosive playmaking ability that made him one of the NFL’s most exciting young stars during his standout rookie season in 2024.

However, Washington’s opportunity to escape with a win disappeared in the closing seconds of overtime when Daniels held onto the football instead of throwing it away or getting out of bounds, allowing the clock to expire before the Commanders could attempt a game-winning field goal.

With 12 seconds remaining and Washington at the Giants’ 24-yard line, the Commanders called a pass play. Daniels scrambled but was tackled for no gain. With no timeouts remaining, Washington couldn’t stop the clock to attempt another play, bringing a frustrating end to a game filled with missed opportunities and critical mistakes.

Despite the disappointing finish, Daniels’ return was an encouraging development for Washington as he demonstrated that he could still make plays with his arm and legs while wearing a brace on his injured left elbow.

Daniels Delivers Explosive Rushing Performance in Return

Daniels suffered a dislocated left elbow during Washington’s Week 2 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, marking the second time he has dislocated his non-throwing arm. His return against New York provided a significant boost to the Commanders’ offense.

He completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and added 103 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries. His ability to escape pressure and create explosive plays gave Washington a dimension that had been missing during his absence.

Daniels scored on touchdown runs of 38 and 26 yards in the second half. His second rushing touchdown extended Washington’s lead to 27-13, seemingly putting the Commanders in control with enough time left to close out the game.

Instead, New York rallied in the fourth quarter, and Washington’s offense couldn’t deliver the decisive play when it mattered most.

Giants Rally Behind Winston, Nabers and Likely

The Giants erased a two touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter behind quarterback Jameis Winston and standout performances from Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely. Winston threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, leading New York’s comeback and helping the Giants preserve their position atop the NFC East standings. He repeatedly found his primary targets as the Commanders struggled to contain the Giants’ passing attack late in the game.

Likely caught 11 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard scoring reception midway through the fourth quarter that cut Washington’s lead to 27-20. The touchdown was initially followed by a question about whether Likely maintained possession, but a replay review upheld the score after the ball was punched out just after he crossed the goal line.

Nabers also delivered a big performance, finishing with 11 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. With 1:43 remaining, Winston connected with Nabers on a 17-yard scoring pass to tie the game at 27-27. Washington had an opportunity to win in regulation, but its final drive stalled near midfield, sending the game into overtime.

Costly Mistakes Define a Frustrating Overtime

Neither team managed to score in overtime, with missed opportunities on both sides ultimately determining the outcome. Washington appeared to receive a break when defensive tackle Daron Payne stripped the ball from Giants running back Cam Skattebo with New York in range for a potential game-winning field goal. The turnover gave the Commanders possession with approximately two minutes remaining and an opportunity to put the game away.

The Giants’ kicking struggles had already complicated their chances. Dominic Zvada missed his third field goal of the game on New York’s first possession of overtime, leaving the door open for Washington.

But the Commanders couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. Daniels’ final scramble ended Washington’s hopes of attempting a field goal, leaving both teams with a tie despite having chances to win. The ending overshadowed an otherwise encouraging performance from Daniels, whose return provided Washington with renewed optimism about its offense moving forward.

Missed Kicks Shape First Half Scoring

Washington opened the game with an explosive four-play drive highlighted by two Daniels completions covering 34 yards, a quarterback scramble and a 33-yard touchdown run by Jacory Croskey-Merritt. However, Drew Stevens missed the extra point, leaving the Commanders with an early 6-0 lead instead of a seven-point advantage.

Stevens added two first-half field goals, while New York struggled to convert its own scoring opportunities. The Giants missed two field goals before halftime, allowing Washington to take a 12-3 lead into the locker room. Those missed kicks proved significant in a game that ultimately required overtime to determine whether either team could pull ahead.

Next NFL Games for the Giants and Commanders

The tie leaves the Giants at 3-1-1, maintaining their position atop the NFC East, while Washington moves to 1-3-1 as it continues searching for consistency. New York will return home next Sunday to host the New Orleans Saints, looking to build on its fourth-quarter comeback and improve its standing in the division.

The Commanders face another difficult test when they travel to take on the San Francisco 49ers on Monday, Oct. 19. Washington will look to build on Daniels’ encouraging return while addressing the late-game execution problems that cost the team a potential victory against its division rival. Daniels’ performance offered plenty of reasons for optimism, but the Commanders will need to finish games more effectively if they hope to turn promising individual performances into wins.