Washington Commanders keep their season alive with last-gasp win over New York Giants

Jayden Daniels threw his third touchdown pass of the game, a 32-yarder to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left, and the Commanders rallied to defeat the New York Giants 24-21 on Thursday night in what was essentially a must-win game for Washington.

Daniels’ connection with Diggs in the final minute came after the quarterback had thrown his first two interceptions of the season to end the previous two drives. He was 23 of 33 for 249 yards and also had TD throws to Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams.

“It’s been a crazy year for us, but we’re 1-0 this week so we’re heading in the right direction,” said Diggs after the game.

Coming back keeps hope alive for the Commanders (3-5-1), who moved two games back of the NFC East-leading Giants (5-3-1) and now own the tiebreaker after the teams tied last month.

Daniels getting picked off by Jevon Holland and Ar’Darius Washington looked like it would haunt Washington, who allowed JJ McCarthy and Isaiah Likely to hook up for a 66-yard, go-ahead TD midway through the fourth quarter.

But the Giants were unable to move the ball effectively enough on the ground to run down the clock. Jameis Winston tried to get the Commanders to jump offside with a hard count of “Who Let the Dogs Out” – with a series of barks – but that did not work and New York kept giving Daniels the ball back by punting multiple times.

Washington’s quarterback rose to the opportunity, aided by a pass-interference call that moved Daniels and the offense closer. Diggs broke open and was able to walk and fall backwards into the end zone to celebrate his 80th career TD reception. He’s the 30th player in league history to reach that mark.

“[Like] Kobe Bryant. Poised, he didn’t flinch, he rallied behind us,” Diggs said of his quarterback.

McCarthy threw for a career-high 293 yards in his first home start for New York since a trade from Minnesota in late September but was intercepted by Rasul Douglas in the final minute, sending fans to the exits.