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 19
Panthers 44, Falcons 38
Eagles 20, Giants 13
Patriots 23, Bills 16
Colts 26, Jaguars 23
Texans 23, Titans 14
Bears 24, Packers 22
Commanders 23, Cowboys 19
Late window
Chiefs vs Broncos — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Dolphins vs. Jets — 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
Seahawks vs. Rams — 4:25 p.m. ET | Fox
Chargers vs. Raiders — 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS
Vikings vs. Lions — 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
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