Commanders' Clock Management Costs Them As Game Ends In 27-27 Tie To Giants

Commanders' quarterback Jayden Daniels looking to make a play as he dodges Giants' defenders in the team's 27-27 game-tying overtime thriller at Northwest Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11. (Abdullah Konte / WINsports)

The New York Giants may have walked away with a celebrated 27-27 tied finish as they remain atop the NFC East. But for Washington, the tied finish was gut-wrenching as clock management struggles proved to be costly, playing a pivotal role in a frustrating outcome that left the Commanders short of a chance to secure a win.

Washington led with a 14-point advantage in the fourth quarter, but they couldn’t put the game out of reach and the New York Giants managed to score two touchdowns to tie the game, and take the game into overtime. 

Giants quarterback Jameis Winston threw the first touchdown pass to tight end Isaiah Likely for 17 yards on fourth-and-eight. The second touchdown came when Winston made another 17-yard pass to wide receiver Malik Nabers on first-and-10, tying the game with less than two minutes remaining. 

The Commanders just couldn’t get it to go offensively as two incomplete passes and a sack on Jayden Daniels forced a fourth down in the final minute. After Tress Way punted the ball 52 yards back to New York, Winston took a knee with six seconds left, officially sending the game into overtime.

New York had the ball offensively for much of the overtime period. But it was a forced fumble by defensive tackle Daron Payne on Giants’ running back Cameron Skattebo with two minutes remaining in overtime that changed the momentum of the game. 

The fumble was recovered by defensive tackle Shy Tuttle on the Washington 23-yard line, putting the Commanders in solid field position to close out the game. With Washington back on offense, Daniels completed two passes for 29 yards and even ran 16 yards on a drive that came down to the New York 24-yard line in the final minute. 

In that moment, the Commanders could’ve spiked the ball to stop the clock and attempt a field goal for the game-winner. But instead, Daniels took the snap, scrambled before he was stopped for no gain, and the clock ran out before Washington could take another snap.

The tied result leaves Washington with a 1-3-1 record as they turn their attention to week six on the road to face an undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night.