The Washington Commanders put forth a gallant effort Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the team ultimately fell short on the road in overtime, 34-31, to the defending NFC champions.
Down 31-24 in the waning seconds of regulation, quarterback Sam Howell marched the Commanders to a game-tying touchdown drive as the clock hit all zeros. Howell found wide receiver Jahan Dotson in the end zone for a 10-yard score that put the Commanders behind by one 31-30.
Washington’s head coach, Ron Rivera, elected to go for the extra point that sent the game into overtime instead of trying a two-point conversion that would have been the game-deciding play.
Rivera admitted he considered the more riskier option.
“Yeah, but you know what, those guys, they were gassed,” Rivera explained, per Ben Standig of The Athletic. “They really were. It was a long drive. They were hurting. They were hustling. I really thought we had the chance. And that’s too bad.”
After the Eagles took the lead off an A.J. Brown touchdown catch, the Commanders offense went 71 yards on ten plays in 83 seconds with no timeouts. There was a hectic finish with two last-ditch efforts to get in the end zone in the final five seconds of regulation.
Commanders had no choice but to live with Rivera’s choice
With no timeouts, there would have been a lot to get the offensive guys lined up for a well-designed play while having everyone on the same page for the two-point conversion. Electing for the PAT was the safe option.
Yet, knowing the situation — the Commanders needed a touchdown down by seven — having a two-point conversion play already set with the right personnel would have made sense.
The Commanders were playing with house money, considering the circumstances. Washington was a nine-point underdog on the road against the undefeated Eagles. The offense marched 71 yards for a touchdown with no timeouts. There was nothing to lose in a game many expected Washington to lose anyway.
Washington won the coin toss to get the football first in overtime. But the offense went three-and-out after a questionable ruling on a third-down incomplete pass from Howell to wide receiver Terry McLaurin near the sidelines.
The Eagles got the football after a punt. Then Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense set-up Jake Elliott for a game-winning 54-yard field goal.
There will be supporters of Rivera’s choice to push the game into overtime. In hindsight, the critics of Rivera not going for the two-point conversion will be loud. Nonetheless, the Commanders could only live and die with either option.
