Getty Image
The Washington Commanders bested the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night, 30-24. The game went into overtime, with Jayden Daniels igniting fireworks in overtime.
That win allowed the Commanders to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2020. As it turns out, there would be many reasons for celebration.
Daniels battled fellow rookie signal caller Michael Penix in a back-and-forth matchup that saw two ties and four lead changes. It was Atlanta who jumped out to a 17-7 first half lead before seeing Washington storm back after the halftime break.
The Commanders scored 17 straight points in the second half before the Falcons tied the contest at 24-24 with just over a minute remaining. It then appeared Atlanta would retake the lead on the final play of the game.
Riley Patterson lined up for a 56-yard field goal with two seconds left in regulation. His kick was true, but it didn’t have the distance.
Meanwhile in the ATL at the end of regulation @NFLSTROUD @StankBastard @StevenCheah @PewterReport @JoeBucsFan pic.twitter.com/RrAWRvV1iP
— Michael Quackenbush (@QuackDaddy88) December 30, 2024
The miss sent the game to overtime, where Washington would eventually emerge victorious. Jayden Daniels connected with Zach Ertz on a third-and-goal play to secure the win. The Commanders clinched a playoff bid in the process.
Washington Commanders DB proposes.
Shortly after the game’s conclusion, safety Jeremy Reaves was seen on one knee in the back of the endzone. He proposed to longtime girlfriend Mikaela Worley, and she said yes!
Similar to former Boise State RB Ian Johnson, the proposal coincided with a dramatic finish to a season-defining win. Johnson famously popped the question after the Broncos took down Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl.
Jeremy Reaves says he would’ve saved moment for another time had the Commanders not come out on top. Luckily for his fiancée, the wait ended on Sunday.
Commanders Pro Bowl safety Jeremy Reaves proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Mikaela Worley, moments after Washington’s wild-card clinching win over Atlanta. Reaves said he would have waited if the team had lost.
pic.twitter.com/U7FJSVqdZ2— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 30, 2024
Washington improved to 11-5 on the year with the latest victory. That win total marks the franchise’s best since going 14-2 in 1991. Jeremy Reaves picked up two Ws over the weekend.