Falcons at Commanders game recap – 3rd quarter summary; Falcons 17 -Commanders 14

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Third Quarter

Bijan Robinson has 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. To win this game, the Commanders are going to have to find a way to stop him, or at least slow him down.

To open the second half, Atlanta kicked off. Washington took over at the 31-yard line following Luke McCaffrey’s first return of the game.

It was a bad start with another penaltyy — offensive holding against Cosmi – to make it 1st & 20. The penalties have kept Washington behind the chains for the entire game.

On 2nd & 15, Daniels was sacked despite looking like he was about to escape to bring up 3rd & 22.

It looked like another sack on Daniels on 3rd down, but an untimely penalty on the Falcons secondary for defensive holding gave Washington a 1st down at the 24-yard line.

Kliff and Jayden need to figure out how to take advantage of the lucky break.

After an incomplete pass, Brian Robinson got the first positive play of the half for Washington with a 10-yard run to the 34-yard line.

On the next play, an 11-yard catch & run by Zaccheaus was erased by a holding call against KJ Osborn to make it 1st & 20 (again) at the 24 yard line.

The next play was a highlight — Zach Ertz caught a pass on the left. Jayden Daniels, under pressure, found the tight end about 9 yards downfield and no-YAC-Zach got a 37-yard gain to the Atlanta 39-yard line.

McNichols has been the back so far this half. He carried for 5 yards to bring up 3rd & 5, and then Jayden Daniels saw the opportunity to scramble against a 3-man rush and went 9 yards for a 1st down at the Atlanta 25-yard line.

Terry McLaurin dropped a pass on a quick slant on 1st down.

Daniels went back to Terry in the middle of the field on 2nd down, but they couldnt connect.

With great protection on 3rd down & 10, Daniels hit Crowder for a gain of 9 in the middle of the field. Dan Quinn sent his offense on the field on 4th & 1.

It was no surprise when Daniels ran a QB keeper right for the first down.

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 8 at the 9 yard line.

On 3rd down, Daniels had all day to find Zach Ertz about 1 yard inside the end zone for a huge touchdown!

The extra point was good; 17-14 with 07:13 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The drive covered 69 yards in 15 plays. We have a ball game.

Following the kickoff, Atlanta started their next offensive drive at the 29-yard line. Washington’s defense needs to join the party. Robinson can’t be allowed to repeat his first half performance.

They started well. Robinson was stuffed on first down; Drake London got 4 yards on 2nd. On 3rd & 5, the crowd made their presence known.

On the 3rd down play, Dante Fowler knocked the ball out of Penix’ hand; the QB jumped on his own fumble. The defense indeed joined the party, forcing the 3 & out.

After the punt, Washington’s offense took the field at the 30-yard line with about 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Another momentum swing; this time in the right direction. The offense needs to build on the opportunity as the 3rd quarter winds down.

It was an auspicious start as Jayden Daniels tucked the ball and scrambled up the middle for 13 yards.

Sam Cosmi picked up penalty #9 with a false start to make it 1st & 15 at their own 38-yard line. After another incompletion to McLaurin, JD5 scrambled right for 18 yards and another first down. Right now, it’s the Jayden Daniels show.

With 2:21 left in the quarter, on 3rd & 5 at the 39-yard line, Daniels tried to hit Terry McLaurin on a corner route inside the 5 yard line, but the ball was a yard overthrown.

On 4th & 5, Daniels hit McNichols in the middle of the field who with a 2nd & 3rd effort broke a tackle to (just) reach the line to gain.

With 01:38 left in the quarter, Daniels hit OZ on the right side for a 6-yarrd catch & run. Zaccheaus is having another good game. On 2nd down, McNichols ran 5 yards for another first down, followed by another keeper-right by Daniels for another 5 yards to bring the quarter to an end with Washington facing 2nd & 5 at eh Atlanta 14 yard line.