In 49-second Drive, Daniels & Diggs Rescue The Commanders’ Season - Daily Slop

The Daily Slop – 13 November 2026

Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!

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Articles

ESPN

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels finds redemption with game-winning drive

This season, Daniels and the Commanders failed to convert a 2-point conversion in the opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, and Daniels failed to throw the ball away in overtime, preventing a chance for a game-winning field goal. In their previous two losses, the Commanders’ final drive ended in enemy territory.

Last week the Commanders failed to throw a pass into the end zone despite reaching the 32-yard line with 8 seconds remaining in a 20-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

The losses led to Daniels being scrutinized and criticized. He told ESPN last week that he was “for sure” one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in the NFL.

Daniels, though, said Thursday night that he had only one thought as he jogged onto the field for the final drive: “One play at a time.”

Then he did what he hadn’t done since his rookie season: lead a game-winning drive. He did so five times in 2024 en route to being named NFL offensive rookie of the year.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders go from frustration to elation as they rediscover late-game magic: ‘We needed that’

Here we go again. The Commanders had a habit of making close and winnable games self-inflicted disasters this season, and this one — a must-win Thursday night matchup with the NFC East-leading Giants — was on the verge of becoming the latest. Owner Josh Harris, who typically comes down to the Commanders’ sideline to watch the final few minutes of games, again took his place for what could’ve been a slow, painful ending to his team’s season.

But these Commanders weren’t done.

When the clock hit two minutes, Washington came alive, much like it did a couple years ago when it took the NFL world by storm with its late-game heroics. In three drives — a defensive stand, a quick go-ahead touchdown and a game-sealing interception — the Commanders saved their season, and possibly their coach’s job, to collect its biggest victory of the year, a 24-21 win over the Giants.

Daniels hit Stefon Diggs on a slant and the veteran wideout sprinted upfield, stopping inches before the goal line before turning and falling backward into the end zone, a la DeSean Jackson.

“Well, he probably could have waited some more,” Quinn joked afterward.

It appeared that Daniels changed a signal on the play before the snap.

“Maybe, maybe not. You never know,” Diggs said facetiously.

“Baby Kobe,” Diggs said of Daniels. “He ain’t flinch. He’s going to be the same kind of player he is at the beginning of the game as he is at the end of the game.”

Cornerback Rasul Douglas intercepted McCarthy on a deep, last-gasp attempt on third-and-10 with 34 seconds remaining.

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The Athletic (paywall)

The Commanders believed and the miracle happened

Maybe it was wishful thinking, the last, mournful hope of a condemned team that hasn’t been able to stay out of its own way much of this season. But they put together eight great minutes when they needed it most. The defense made three consecutive stops.

Daniels is, obviously, Washington’s North Star. But Styles, the seventh pick overall, is rapidly growing into everything the Commanders hoped he’d be. The speed and force is obvious; the reads are coming, rapidly. On that third and two, Styles’ film work, with a verbal assist from defensive tackle Charles Omenihu, indicated to him that the Giants were running a crack back run, with the tight end coming down the line to clear Washington’s edge defender, and give McCarthy enough room to get the first down. Styles brushed off Giants center Bryan Hudson, shot the gap, tackled McCarthy for the loss, and gave the offense the ball back.

“I think, if you’re just the player you are, the moment can never be too big,” Styles said. “I think everyone understood in that moment, ‘We’ve got to get a stop right here.’ So guys just bowed up.”

Guard Sam Cosmi looked at his teammates as Washington huddled up.

“I have moments where I look, and everybody’s just locked in,” Cosmi said. “You have that, like, glare, where you know it’s game time, this is game time. We’re going to make big plays.”

Washington is still two games behind New York, with eight to play. But the Commanders, now, have the tiebreaker with the Giants, if it comes down to that. If it comes down to that, though, this already wild ride of a season will have taken an even crazier turn than what happened here Thursday, when the Commanders merely saved their season. For a couple of weeks, at least.

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Washington Post (paywall)

Diggs’s late touchdown secured victory after Daniels threw a pair of 4th-quarter interceptions

“Back-to-back interceptions, that’s hard. It would’ve been really easy to lose the faith in that moment,” Quinn said. “So, to see us battle and stay in the fight, that’s what I was looking for. … There’s plenty to do, guys. There’s a lot to clean up, a lot to get better, but I’m definitely proud of the group.

“Man, that ain’t goin’ do nothing for me — still dwelling on that,” Daniels said. “Everybody was on the sideline saying, ‘The defense is giving you an opportunity to go out and win this game.’ When I had the opportunity to go out there and win the game, take a deep breath, go out there and just capitalize on the moment.”

Daniels completed 23 of 33 passes for 249 yards, three touchdowns and the two picks. On the other side of the ball, the defense ended the game with three consecutive stops.

“We needed that,” Coach Dan Quinn said. “We needed every bit of it.”

When the Commanders’ offense had success, it tended to be when it went to a more up-tempo offense. Offensive coordinator David Blough put an emphasis on huddling more often and slowing down the pace this season, but it hasn’t resulted in better results. He showed a willingness to adjust in the first half against the Giants.

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Commanders.com

Instant analysis | Commanders win in dramatic fashion vs. Giants

On offense, errors like false starts and a delay of game were present but significantly reduced, as the Commanders committed just four penalties for 17 yards. The offensive line, which allowed four sacks against the Los Angeles Rams last week, allowed just one sack against a defense that had the third-highest blitz rate heading into Thursday’s game.

That extra time allowed Daniels to work comfortably from the pocket, and he was efficient in the first half, completing 11 of 15 passes for 112 yards and a score. He completed four passes on the Commanders’ second drive, hitting Chig Okonkwo with an 11-yard pass to get them into field goal range. The Giants responded with a 16-play, 72-yard touchdown drive, but Daniels responded by driving the offense 62 yards downfield in the closing minutes of the first half and connecting with Ben Sinnott for a one-yard touchdown on third-and-goal.

The Commanders have 11 days to prepare for their next matchup — a home game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. Many of the Commanders’ players labeled the Giants matchup as a must-win moment, and to their credit, they rose to the occasion.

Now, as the NFC East remains up for grabs, they are still in the hunt.

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NFL.com

Commanders-Giants on ‘Thursday Night Football’: What We Learned from Washington’s 24-21 win

Next Gen Stats Insight for Commanders-Giants (via NFL Pro): Giants QB J.J. McCarthy was blitzed on 50% of his dropbacks in the second half against the Commanders, up from 28.6% in the first half. McCarthy completed 8 of 14 attempts against the blitz for 155 yards, a touchdown and an interception, recording career highs in completions and passing yards against the blitz in a game. After completing the 66-yard touchdown to Isaiah Likely, McCarthy went 0-for-3 with an interception against the Commanders’ blitzes. Washington safety Nick Cross blitzed eight times, generating five pressures — a career best.

NFL Research: Jayden Daniels improved to 4-0-1 in his career versus the Giants. The win came thanks to his 32-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left. It’s the second game-winning TD Diggs has caught in his career with less than a minute remaining. The first was for the Vikings in the 2017 Divisional Round, famously known as the “Minneapolis Miracle.”

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ESPN

Commanders keep NFC East hopes alive with win over Giants

What to make of Daniels’ performance: Jayden Daniels overcame his first two interceptions of the season and delivered when Washington needed him most. His strength has been shaking off bad plays, and after consecutive series ended with picks in the fourth quarter, he led the go-ahead touchdown drive — with a 32-yard touchdown pass to Stefon Diggs. Daniels had been highly efficient prior to that pass. He has gotten better at keeping his eyes downfield, which resulted in one play for 30 yards.

Trend to watch: Washington’s defense has forced six turnovers in its past three games combined. The Commanders now have 14 takeaways this season, but none was bigger than corner Rasul Douglas’ interception to end the Giants’ final possession. Washington forced a fumble in the red zone, preventing a potential field goal if nothing else.

Most surprising performance: Tight end Ben Sinnott. He entered with one reception on the season, a disappointing total for the 2024 second-round pick. He was supposed to get more action in Washington’s new scheme this season, but it took until Week 10 for him to play a bigger role. He caught four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown against the Giants. — Keim

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USA Today

Who were the winners on Thursday Night Football?

Drew Stevens

The Commanders kicker started the season 3-for-5 but is since 13-for-14. He opened the game’s scoring with a 46-yard field goal in the second quarter, Stevens’ lone attempt of the game.  

Ben Sinnott

The hurdle over a defender’s outstretched arms is reason enough for the Commanders’ third-year tight end to appear in the winners’ column. But the career night is the real motivation. Sinnott came into the game with one catch for 6 yards this season but finished with four for 42 yards. He caught Daniels’ touchdown pass with five seconds remaining in the first half as the quarterback fell to the ground. 

Dan Quinn

The more severe issue for the Commanders has been the optics. In three games, there have been questionable – at best – game- and clock-management issues. As a head coach that does not call plays on either side of the ball, Quinn has to be more on top of it. He’s dealing with a pair of first-time coordinators, to be fair … but he also hired them.

Jameis Winston

“Who Let The Dogs Out?” Indeed, Jameis. The backup QB also barked in an effort to get the Commanders to jump offside during a faux fourth-down cadence.

Loser: Malik Nabers

Thirty-seven of Nabers’ 44 yards came on one play. His fumble in the third quarter killed a potential scoring drive and he could not come down with a jump ball in the red zone that would have set up a game-tying field goal that was instead intercepted by Rasul Douglas.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Giants on offense, defense, special teams all had a hand in Thursday night loss to division rival Commanders

Rather than giving the ball to Skattebo, who had 78 yards on 18 carries, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy made the odd decision to call a McCarthy keeper from an empty backfield. The Commanders weren’t fooled, as linebacker Sonny Styles burst through the line to drop McCarthy for a 2-yard loss while Skattebo watched from the sideline.

“It sucks, and I think part of it is I put myself in a situation last time we played these guys that kind of killed the trust in coach maybe a little bit, me giving up the ball last time,” Skattebo said of his overtime fumble in Week 5. “And maybe he didn’t want to give me the ball again. I don’t know. I’m not going to say that was something he was thinking. But I would think that as well.”

Punter Jordan Stout has been one of the Giants’ most reliable players, but he picked an inopportune time for a shank. His 12-yard punt after McCarthy got stuffed gave the Commanders the ball at their own 29-yard line with 1:46 remaining.

Daniels wasted no time attacking cornerback Deonte Banks, who has improved greatly but still doesn’t locate the ball consistently on deep passes. Banks got tangled up with Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks to produce a 33-yard pass interference penalty. Washington was facing third-and-4 from the Giants’ 32-yard line three plays later. Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson sent a blitz and Daniels responded by firing the ball to wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a quick slant. Diggs beat cornerback Dru Phillips, who took out Banks on his tackle attempt to clear the path for a walk-in touchdown with 57 seconds left.

[A] jump ball to wide receiver Malik Nabers was wrestled away by Douglas for a game-ending interception with 25 seconds remaining.

It was discouraging that Nabers couldn’t come down with the 50-50 ball, especially after all of his demands to get the ball. But it was puzzling that the Giants were throwing jump balls in that spot since they had two timeouts and only needed to gain about 10 yards to get into range.

It would have been hard to have confidence in Dominic Zvada to make the long field goal after he missed a 33-yarder in the first quarter. That came after the Giants elected to punt from Washington’s 37-yard line on their opening drive rather than attempting a 55-yard field goal.

To read more of this article, CLICK HERE

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders stun Giants in final minute to save their season; what now in NFC East?

You can’t totally ignore those interceptions, largely because both came at inopportune times. Yet Daniels was dynamic. He ran the ball effectively, his accuracy continues to impress, and he’s finding a way to move the ball without Terry McLaurin, his top receiver, who’s out for the season.

Outside of Daniels’ heroics, what else stood out for the Commanders?

Didn’t see this one coming but … Ben Sinnott? The 2024 second-round pick entered this game with only one catch for 6 yards this season and hadn’t totaled more than 36 receiving yards in a game in his career (he got that off one catch against the Giants last December). For the past few seasons, the production from the Commanders’ tight ends has come courtesy of two players: Zach Ertz in 2024 and ’25, and Chig Okonkwo this season.

But Sinnott finally showed more of what he’s capable of in the pass game, catching four passes for 42 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown at the end of the first half. He also hurdled a defender on a 12-yard catch and caught a 24-yarder that helped set up Antonio Williams’ 31-yard score in the third quarter.

Dan Quinn really needed that

[T]he comeback victory Thursday lifted Washington back into the edge of the NFC East race. The Commanders are just two games back of the division-leading Giants, and they own the edge over New York, whom they beat and tied.

At this point in Quinn’s career, optics matter. The sense at team headquarters in Ashburn, Va., is that Commanders leadership would rather not make a coaching change midseason. But Quinn and his team can’t make any more game-management gaffes.

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Photos

Commanders.com

PHOTOS | Commanders vs. Giants, Week 10

The Washington Commanders have begun warming up at MetLife Stadium for their Week 10 matchup against the New York Giants

Podcasts & videos

Beltway Football

Commanders Postgame: Jayden Daniels leads thrilling comeback win over Giants in Week 10

NFC East links

Big Blue View

4 things we learned from the Giants’ 24-21 loss to the Commanders

Harbaugh wants to be the coach of a dominating running team. The Giants as currently constituted are not that, yet he (and Matt Nagy) play it conservatively until they can’t, and then they still do anyway.

The Giants get the ball back at the Washington 46 with 2:15 left, and Harbaugh tries to run out the clock as much as he can and make the Commanders use their timeouts while doing so. The problem is that he doesn’t have Derrick Henry, Ronnie Stanley, and Tyler Linderbaum on this team. He has one of the worst run blocking offensive lines in the NFL and a good but not great running back. Skattebo gains 7 of the 10 yards he needs to effectively close out the game on first and second down, and then with third-and-3, rather than have J.J. McCarthy pass to get the first down and seal the win, the Giants dial up another of those J.J. RPOs that I think have not yet worked even once. McCarthy loses yards, the Giants punt from the Washington 39 (that’s two punts from inside the opponent’s 40), and predictably, Jayden Daniels drives the Commanders downfield for the winning score.

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Blogging the Boys

There’s No Way The Cowboys Beat The 49ers, Right? | Mixtape Mini

The 49ers have owned the Cowboys in the 21st century. Is Sunday’s matchup shaping up to be yet another San Francisco victory or can Dallas rewrite the narrative on a classic NFC rivalry?

Blogging the Boys’ RJ Ochoa (in what appears to be a reverse jinx?) and Bleeding Green Nation’s Brandon Lee Gowton discuss Cowboys vs. 49ers ahead of Week 10 in a new “Mixtape Mini” clip, an NFC East Mixtape production.

Game Highlights

aBit o’Twitter