The Washington Commanders lost a rollercoaster game to the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sunday after kicker Austin Seibert missed a potential game-tying extra point with 21 seconds remaining.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Terry McLaurin had connected on a stunning 86-yard touchdown, giving Washington a chance to continue an improbable comeback and send the game to overtime after trailing by 10 points at the two-minute warning. But Seibert’s kick sailed wide left.
After returning the subsequent onside kick for a touchdown, the Cowboys (4-7) handed the Commanders (7-5) their third consecutive loss as Dallas left Northwest Stadium with a 34-26 victory.
In a somber locker room after the game, Washington’s veterans said they’d take it upon themselves to lead the team forward.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner and tight end Zach Ertz have reached the pinnacle of the NFL during Super Bowl victories with the Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles. They’ve also felt the sting of a heartbreaking loss.
“Sharing our scars,” Wagner said when asked how he can help his younger teammates rebound. “We’ve seen a lot of football, been in crazier games than this one. So sharing those, I think, gives you the belief that we can be another group that turns everything around.”
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The Commanders struggled in all three phases Sunday afternoon. The offense was stagnant before its late outburst. The defense, after holding the Cowboys to a lone field goal in the first half, allowed an efficient Dallas offense to control the game in the third quarter. The special teams group had the biggest emotional swing, blocking a field goal and a punt in the first half before allowing two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Nobody received more blame from fans than Seibert, who missed an early field goal and the decisive extra point. The 28-year-old, who missed the last two games with a hip injury, also acknowledged his role in the two kickoff return touchdowns.
“It’s on me. …” he said. “Just didn’t play well.”
But Wagner, Ertz and McLaurin were quick to accept responsibility for the disappointing loss.
The Commanders entered the game as 10-point favorites while the Cowboys, who were led by backup quarterback Cooper Rush, rode a five-game losing streak into the rivalry game.
“We got to reflect. We got to get better,” Ertz said. “There’s no pointing fingers; we just got to get better. Everyone has to take accountability.”
PHOTOS: Commanders lose 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the Cowboys
The Commanders’ offense, which was a powerhouse through the first two months of the season, continued its November struggles on Sunday. They called on punter Tress Way six times as Daniels failed to find a rhythm with his receivers until late in the fourth quarter. Daniels ultimately finished with 275 yards and two touchdowns through the air and an additional 74 yards and one touchdown as a rusher.
“We just didn’t play our best. We didn’t play complementary football,” McLaurin said. “As an offense, we have to find a better job of staying on the field. That was a strength of ours in the first half of the season, and it’s not right now.”
Any offensive improvement for the Commanders will likely be an uphill battle as they prepare to face the Tennessee Titans (3-8) next Sunday.
Starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. suffered an ankle injury on the first play from scrimmage against the Cowboys and was sidelined for most of the game. The Commanders did not have an update on his status on Sunday night.
Austin Ekeler, who splits snaps with Robinson in the backfield, could see a more extended absence after a scary injury in the final seconds of the game. The 29-year-old appeared to lose consciousness after a hard hit on a kick return with nine seconds remaining. His teammates immediately called for the trainers while players from both teams took a knee.
He eventually walked off the field on his own power. A Commanders spokesperson confirmed that Ekeler suffered a concussion and noted that he was taken to a hospital for further testing “out of an abundance of caution.”
The concussion was Ekeler’s second of the season after a head injury against the Cincinnati Bengals in September.
Right tackle Andrew Wylie also suffered a concussion and missed the conclusion of the game.
“What I told the team after the game was that this is the most challenge we’ve been through in our time together,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. “I reminded them it’s not enough to learn the lessons, but we have to apply them.”
Despite the loss, the Commanders still hold the third and final wild-card spot in the NFC. The NFL’s Next Gen Stats gave Washington a 61% chance to make the postseason.
“I’ve got a lot of belief in the guys. I got a lot of belief in that quarterback,” Ertz said. “We just got to get back to work. We still got five more games this season. We got to finish on a high note and just see what happens.”
After the Titans game, the Commanders have a bye week before facing the New Orleans Saints, Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Washington ends the regular season with a rematch against Dallas.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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