Commanders and Giants Tie 27-27 After Washington Never Gets a Kick

Commanders Let the Clock Run Out in a 27-27 Tie With the Giants

Washington and the Giants tied 27-27 in overtime on Sunday, and ESPN's analysis says the Commanders never got to attempt the winning field goal. With 55 seconds left, Washington had first-and-10 at the Giants' 26-yard line, already in range for rookie kicker Drew Stevens, who would have faced a 44-yard attempt with no further gain.

Instead the Commanders ran for 2 yards, changed personnel, huddled and snapped the ball with 12 seconds left. ESPN says they had no timeouts. Jayden Daniels was sacked for no gain and the clock ran out. The Giants had come back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter and were in position to win in overtime until Cam Skattebo fumbled in field goal range.

I wanted to get off the field

ESPN's analysis puts blame in several places. It says the Commanders could have kneeled twice and kicked, that Daniels did not appear to know the clock situation, and that first-time play caller David Blough sent in a pass with pre-snap motion. Coach Dan Quinn and Daniels both took responsibility after the game.

Commanders vs. Giants Odds: What the Market Said

DraftKings had Washington as a 3.5-point home favorite with a total of 41.5, per ESPN's game summary feed as of October 12 at 9:15 AM ET.

The feed does not say how any sportsbook graded the tie, so check your own book's house rules. It also does not say why the line was set where it was.

Our Read: Who Owns a Tie That Feels Like a Loss

This is our reading of the facts above, not a reported cause.

• The failure was shared. ESPN notes Blough was in his fifth game as a play caller and Daniels was making his 27th start, which points to preparation as much as one bad call.
• A hidden cause may be earlier. ESPN says Quinn used a defensive timeout 36 seconds into overtime. Had Washington kept it, the final sequence looks very different.
• Kneeling was not a sure win. Stevens missed an extra point and Giants kicker Dominic Zvada missed from 46, 50 and 57 yards in the rain, so a make was likely but far from certain.
• The division is a mess. With the Giants 3-1-1 and the Eagles and Cowboys both 2-3, Washington's 1-3-1 start leaves little room for another unforced error.

Evidence points both ways on how much blame belongs to the coaches versus execution, and we would not call the verdict settled.

What to Watch for Washington and New York

• How Washington practices and explains end-of-game procedure before its next game.
• Whether Blough keeps full control of the play calling after this.
• Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who made his Giants debut in the tie after the trade, per ESPN.
• Kicking in wet conditions for both Stevens and Zvada.

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