Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Jayden Daniels has thrown his third touchdown pass of the game, a 32-yarder to Stefon Diggs with 57 seconds left, and Washington rallied to defeat the New York Giants 24-21 in what was essentially a must-win game.
Daniels’ connection with Diggs in the final minute on Thursday night (Friday AEDT) came after he threw his first two interceptions of the season to end the previous two drives. He was 23 of 33 for 249 yards and had TD throws to Ben Sinnott and Antonio Williams, while running 10 times for 28 yards.
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.
“It just gives you confidence we can go out there and compete and we can close out a game versus the top dog,” Daniels said.
“Last time we played them it didn’t go the way that we wanted to or planned to, so we went out there and we improved from the last time.”
Daniels getting picked off by Jevon Holland on his 208th pass attempt and Ar’Darius Washington on his 211th looked like it would haunt the Commanders, who allowed J.J. McCarthy and Isaiah Likely to hook up for a 66-yard, go-ahead TD midway through the fourth quarter.
But the home side were unable to move the ball effectively enough on the ground to run the clock.
Washington’s franchise player rose to the opportunity, aided by a pass-interference call that moved Daniels and the offence 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.
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.
“It’s easy to second-guess the final two passes,” McCarthy said.
“The pressure was coming. It’s one-on-one outside. I wanted to give my playmaker a chance.
“This football team is going to get better from this. I know it.”
