Category: Latest Washington News

Commanders kicker Austin Seibert takes accountability after missed kicks

Seibert answered every question and took responsibility on a day where the Commanders made plenty of mistakes.

Things couldn’t have been going any better for Washington Commanders kicker Austin Seibert. Seibert made 25 of his 27 field goal attempts in seven games with Washington and was perfect on all 22 extra-point attempts.

Then, before the Commanders’ Week 10 game against Pittsburgh, Seibert injured his right hip, which cost him the next two games. On Sunday, Seibert returned for Washington against the Dallas Cowboys.

It was a day to forget for Seibert. He missed both extra points and made one of his two field goal attempts, which proved costly. The second missed PAT came with 21 seconds remaining after wide receiver Terry McLaurin’s miraculous 86-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jayden Daniels. 

There was also Seibert’s kickoff to KaVontae Turpin, which, with three minutes remaining, was returned for a 99-yard touchdown.

It was a day to forget for Seibert.

After the game, Seibert met with the media and, like safety Jeremy Reaves, who missed a tackle on the Turpin touchdown, took full blame for the loss.

“I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don’t want to do that,” Seibert said. “Just wasn’t striking well, but it means a lot me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot….moving forward.”

That’s tough to watch.

When Seibert was asked about the low snap on the second missed PAT, he had none of it, taking full accountability.

“It didn’t make a difference at all. It’s on me,” he said. 

After missing two games with a right hip, could the injury have affected him? Again, Seibert was not about to make excuses.

“I felt fine,” he said. “That’s why I made the decision to play, and here we are.”

First, Seibert should be credited for speaking to the media after the most challenging moment of his professional career. He didn’t run away from it. So often these days, athletes hide from the media after a bad day. Not Seibert. Like Reaves, he stood there and answered every question, regardless of how repetitive some seemed.

Lastly, Seibert didn’t lose this game, nor did Reaves or John Bates. It was a collective effort. There were so many plays you could point back to and see Washington’s mistakes.

Seibert needs to shake it off and not allow one bad day to impact him next week and beyond. The Commanders host the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.

What everyone said after the Commanders’ loss to Cowboys

Here’s what everyone said after Commanders’ loss to Cowboys.

The Commanders were again outscored in the fourth quarter and lost their third consecutive game, Sunday, when they fell to the Dallas Cowboys 34-26 at Northwest Stadium.

Here is a collection of post-game quotes from players, analysts, coaches, and media personalities.

Dan Quinn

“What I told the team after the game was that this is the most challenged we’ve been in our time together. And I reminded them, it’s not enough to learn the lessons, but we have to apply them.”

“I remind them it’s never about one play. And so, that execution falls on all of us players and coaches, and I firmly believe that. And so, we’ll get to it tomorrow. We’ll look at the tape and get right to the truth of it all.”

“Yeah, I want to make sure like this confidence is rolling whoever we’re playing. And I don’t want it to go up and down and up and down. So again, I look back at the tape and the best part of this is you get to go dig in and go forward again, man. But from a performance side, is there plenty to clean up on? You bet. And you don’t want to miss an opportunity and when you got a home game and going forward in the division, you want to take advantage of those. And when you miss them, it stings.”

Jayden Daniels

“We’ve been in third and longer a lot, you know, these past couple games. So, that’s kind of where you get into the exotic pressures and stuff like that. You know, we’ve just gotta be better on first and second downs and stay ahead of the chains.”

Chris Russell (Team 980)

“I fully expected the #Commanders to win this game & begrudgingly picked them -10.5 on Friday. As I kept mentioning – the notion they were going to cruise over these next few weeks (Dallas, Tennessee & New Orleans) was laughable. It’s a potential nightmare now.”
Ben Standig (The Athletic)
“From a team spokesperson: Out of an abundance of caution, Austin Ekeler (concussion) is headed to the hospital for further testing.“
John Keim (ESPN)
“Wow. Just a brutal finish to cap a horrendous performance.“
Bobby Wagner

Jason Garrett (NBC)
“They’ve got to start getting the ball down the field. [Terry] McLaurin has got to get involved in this game earlier. That’s the only way they get this offense going again.”

Austin Seibert

“It didn’t make a difference at all. It’s on me.”
“I felt fine. That’s why I made the decision to play and here we are.”

Tress Way

“This dude is just making freaking kicks all year long so we still have a lot of ball left and making a little playoff run. It’s just really tough. Rinse and repeat and come back and get ready for Tennessee.”

“I would have to…..I’d really like to see the film. They always say the eye in the sky don’t lie but [LS] Tyler [Ott] and I talked after and our job is to make it as seamless as possible for Austin and we just didn’t feel like we quite had it there. Rinse and repeat. Get ready to go again.”

Terry McLaurin

“It doesn’t come down to one play. It doesn’t come down to one kick. We had our opportunities to take control of the game and we didn’t.”

Rick ‘Doc’ Walker

“I’d love to learn a lesson while Winning.”

Grant Paulsen (106.7 The Fan)

“The Commanders have fallen to 7-5. Lots of football left this season but this was a cold water performance. Hard to count wins against the bad teams they play in future after losing as an 11-point favorite.”

Thom Loverro (Washington Times)

“George Allen spinning in his grave — special teams allow 99-yard kickoff return. Remember the days when the Commanders went the entire game without punting?”

 

 

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler suffers concussion vs. Cowboys

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler suffered a concussion vs. Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders may have lost more than the game in Sunday’s 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Not only did right tackle Andrew Wylie (concussion) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (ankle) leave the game due to injuries, Washington lost its other top running back, Austin Ekeler, at the end of the game.

Ekeler suffered a brutal hit on the game’s final kickoff with nine seconds remaining. Ekeler lay motionless for a few minutes before getting up and walking off the field under his own power. Both Washington and Dallas players surrounded Ekeler, concerned for his well-being.

After the game, head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that Ekeler suffered a concussion.

“[GM Adam [Peters] and I just had a chance to visit with him now, so he’ll do more tests tonight, but it was a concussion,” Quinn said. 

This would be Ekeler’s second concussion of the season. He suffered the first one in Washington’s Week 3 win at Cincinnati and missed the following week’s win at Arizona.

The Commanders released running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. after activating rookie defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste from IT. Washington hopes to get Rodriguez back, but another team could claim the talented second-year back.

Washington could be without Robinson and Ekeler next week against Tennessee, so there will be another move at running back. Jeremy McNichols would step back into the starting role. McNichols has thrived when given opportunities this season.

Quick facts from Commanders’ Week 12 loss to Cowboys

Here are several quick facts or stats from the Commanders’ Week 12 loss to Cowboys.

The Commanders produced their worst effort of the season Sunday for the first three and one-half quarters. Their last half of the final quarter was productive, but they came up short, falling to the Cowboys 34-26.

Here are some of the quick facts from the third consecutive loss for the Commanders:

  • The Cowboys had to play on a short week from Monday night, while the Commanders had not played since a Thursday night game ten days ago. Yet, it was the Commanders who looked flat, tired, slow and uninspired for 3.5 quarters.
  • The Washington offense was anemic in the first quarter, as Jayden Daniels completed two of six attempts for a mere three yards. The Commanders permitted 93 first-quarter yards to Dallas while only gaining 56.
  • The Commanders blocked a field goal attempt, blocked a punt, and recovered a fumble in the first half, yet managed to score only three points!
  • In the first half, Dallas outgained Washington 176-113 total yards, including 133-55 passing yards.
  • The Commanders trailed 10-9 after three quarters. Washington was then outscored 24-17 in the final quarter. The Commanders have now been outscored 71-34 in the final quarter of their last five games.
  • Sunday was the first kickoff return touchdown in 50 games for Dallas (vs Raiders in 2021), and today, they returned two for touchdowns. (Kayvontae Turpin 99 yards and Juanyeh Thomas 43 yards).
  • LB Frankie Luvu finished tied for the team-leading eight tackles. He also added one tackle for loss and three passes defensed.
  • The Commanders lost two running backs today (Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler), and this was after Chris Rodriguez was released just yesterday.
  • Dallas had lost their last five consecutive games, as they were a -10 in turnovers those games. Today, they again lost the turnover margin 3-1, yet came away with a win.
  • K Austin Seibert had his first bad day for the Commanders: he entered the game having made 25 of his 27 field goal attempts. Today, he badly missed his 51-yard field goal attempt and pulled two extra-point attempts to the left.
  • Jayden Daniels surpassed 2,500 passing yards and 500 rushing yards today, joining Robert Griffin III and Cam Newton as the fastest players to reach those marks to begin an NFL career. Daniels did so in his 12th career game.
  • WR Terry McLaurin’s  86-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his career. He caught five passes for 102 receiving yards.

Twitter reacts to Commanders’ performance in loss to Cowboys

Some wild reactions on social media after Commanders’ loss to Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys were punting this game before it ever began. With quarterback Dak Prescott out for the season, Dallas stars Zack Martin and Trevon Diggs didn’t even make the trip to Washington. Tight end Jake Ferguson and No. 2 receiver Brandin Cooks were also out.

Yet, somehow, the reeling Cowboys dominated the Commanders for much of the game, and no matter how many times Dallas tried to give Washington the advantage, the Commanders had none of it.

Dallas snapped its five-game losing streak, defeating Washington 34-26 in arguably the wildest NFL game of the season. The Commanders blocked a field and a punt yet missed two extra points and a field goal and allowed two kickoff returns for touchdowns.

Washington had a chance to tie it late and sent the game into overtime after quarterback Jayden Daniels’ miracle 86-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin. Unfortunately, kicker Austin Seibert missed second PAT.

It’s the Commanders’s third straight loss and X — formerly Twitter — was fed up.

Here are some of the top social media reactions after Sunday’s loss.

On Seibert:

The frustration felt among many fans

 

Al Galdi

 

These reactions say it all:

 

Grant Paulsen:

 

Awful timing, for sure:

 

Very true:

 

The life of a true Washington fan:

 

He’s not the only one who felt this way:

 

This aged poorly:

 

Daniels must play better, too:

 

The life of a kicker:

 

Kevin Sheehan

 

Commanders stumbled, had a chance, but blew it again

A woeful effort from start to finish.

The Commanders sucked on Sunday.

Well, at least for the first three and a half quarters, Dallas dominated, leading 20-9. Watching the Commanders on Sunday, words like frustrating, aggravating, and infuriating come to mind.

Then, the Commanders pulled off another miracle late; however, they blew the extra point and allowed an onside kickoff touchdown return, falling to the woeful Cowboys 34-26.

Washington missed two extra points; the last one was an absolute heartbreaker.

Twenty-one seconds remained with Washington trailing 27-20 when Jayden Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin, who got a block, turned on the jets and scored from 86 yards, making the score 27-26.

Austin Seibert then missed the extra-point attempt. It was a bad snap, and Seibert, while approaching the ball, had to watch Tress Way get control of the ball and place it down in time. Seibert then pulled the kick left.

Washington now had to attempt an onside kick which was then returned by Juanyeh Thomas 43 yards for the clinching touchdown and the final 34-26 margin.

The Cowboys entered the game with a 3-7 record. Yet the Commanders, who entered at 7-4, were the home team and played a step slow all day and let Dallas take the game to them from the start.

Three weeks ago, the Commanders were 7-2 and the NFC’s No. 2 seed for the playoffs.

Based on Sunday’s performance, Washington is 7-5, having lost three consecutive games and looking progressively worse each game.

Face it, Commanders fans, if not for the lucky ‘Hail Mary,’ this team would be 6-6 and losers of four of their last five. I love this franchise, but that is who they are right now.

Dallas came into today at the very bottom of NFL teams in rushing offense. Its rushing defense wasn’t any better, also one of the worst in the league. The Cowboys were without quarterback Dak Prescott, but backup Cooper Rush completed 24 of 32 attempts for 247 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Two of the Cowboys touchdowns in the final quarter were kickoff returns.

 

WATCH: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels finds Terry McLaurin for miraculous 86-yard touchdown

And then the Commanders miss the PAT.

All hope seemed lost for the Washington Commanders when Dallas wide receiver KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining. The Cowboys were ahead 27-17.

The Commanders went back on offense, got into field-goal range, and quickly sent out kicker Austin Seibert to kick a 51-yard field goal to make it a one-score game. Washington had two timeouts remaining and looked to force a stop on defense to get the ball back.

The Commanders got their stop and the ball back with 34 seconds remaining. What happened next was unbelievable but par for the course in this crazy game.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels found wide receiver Terry McLaurin for a miraculous 86-yard touchdown to make it a 27-26 game with less than 20 seconds remaining.

Check it out:

Depending on how you viewed this game, what happened next was even more unbelievable — or predictable. Seibert, who had not missed an extra point all year, missed his second of the game and left the Cowboys holding a 27-26 lead.

That was it. Dallas added another late meaningless touchdown to make it 34-26, but it was Seibert’s miss — on a low snap — that ended any possible chance at another miracle Washington win.

Commanders RT Andrew Wylie departs game with injury

Commanders RT leaves game with head injury.

The Washington Commanders are locked into a tougher-than-anticipated battle against the Dallas Cowboys at Northwest Stadium. At halftime, the teams were tied 3-3.

The offense has struggled, as quarterback Jayden Daniels has been under heavy pressure, and the Commanders have failed to adjust.

Washington lost running back Brian Robinson Jr. to an ankle injury in the first half. He later returned to carry the ball three times but later departed again.

The Commanders are now down another offensive starter. Right tackle Andrew Wylie left the game in the third quarter and is being evaluated for a possible concussion.

Trent Scott replaced Wylie at right tackle and immediately allowed pressure. The team officially announced that Wylie is out and will not return.

The Commanders will need to go the rest of the way with Scott at right tackle, unless they want to play Cornelius Lucas or Brandon Coleman on the right side. Lucas has plenty of experience playing on both sides in his career.

Commanders-Cowboys tied 3-3 at halftime: 4 first-half takeaways

Here are four quick takeaways from an ugly first half between the Commanders and Cowboys.

The Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys are tied 3-3 at halftime of their Week 12 matchup from Northwest Stadium.

Here are three quick takeaways from an ugly half of football:

Jayden Daniels struggling

Can we stop saying it’s the ribs? He’s just not playing well. On a deep throw to Terry McLaurin, a pass Daniels hit with ease through the first half of the season, Daniels led McLaurin out of bounds. Then, late in the first half, Daniels threw an inexcusable interception. Running back Brian Robinson Jr. was in traffic around several Dallas players; Daniels, trying to avoid pressure, flipped it to Robinson, and it went off his hands for an interception. Daniels should never throw the ball in that situation.

On Washington’s final first-half drive, Daniels rolled right out of bounds on three consecutive plays and the Commanders were forced to punt. Daniels completed nine of 16 passes for 57 yards and an interception.

Special teams thriving

Yes, kicker Austin Seibert missed a field goal. He can’t make field goals over 50 yards until proven otherwise. However, the rest of the special teams’ units came to play.

Starting safety Quan Martin blocked a field goal on Dallas’ first drive. Later in the half, defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis blocked a punt. Both times, the Commanders had excellent field position and struggled to capitalize.

No running game

Early in the season, the Commanders’ offense began with a strong running game. Washington rushed for 58 yards in the first half, but 14 were on a Dyami Brown reverse. Dallas is not good at stopping the run, yet Washington can’t run the ball. That’s a concern.

Until the Commanders can run the ball, it’s difficult to believe they’ll get out of this offensive funk. Daniels isn’t inspiring confidence that he can pass them out of it.

Defense doing its job except for one guy

Washington’s defense was excellent outside of the first drive and the final play in the first half. Linebacker Frankie Luvu was a menace, finishing with six tackles and breaking up three passes.

Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste somehow allowed Cooper Rush to complete a 41-yard pass at the end of the half to give the Cowboys an easy three points. St-Juste managed to commit a penalty on the play and still allowed the catch.

Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. injury update vs. Cowboys

Robinson departed the game after his first carry, but returned.

On the Washington Commanders’ first play from scrimmage, starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. lost two yards but remained down on the field after the play.

It appeared Robinson had suffered an ankle injury but walked off under his own power. Robinson moved around on the sideline, went into the locker room, and quickly returned to the sideline.

Washington said he was questionable to return.

Apparently, Robinson is just fine. He went into the locker room, had an X-ray, which was negative, had his ankle taped up, and returned to the game on Washington’s next possession. Robinson carried the ball three times for 15 yards.

Robinson missed three games this season with knee and hamstring injuries. He returned last week against the Eagles and rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown in his first game back.