That’s one we can fix’: Commanders explain how ‘bold’ fourth-down call vs. Eagles went wrong

 

PHILADELPHIA – The decision by Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn to go for it on fourth down with about eight minutes left Thursday, his team in field-goal range and trailing the Philadelphia Eagles by two points Thursday, may seem unorthodox.

His players expected nothing less.

“That’s the nature of this team,” wide receiver Noah Brown said following the Commanders’ 26-18 defeat.

 

Nature lost to nurture in this instance. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels took the fourth-and-2 snap from Philadelphia’s 26-yard-line – it would have been roughly a 43-yard field goal for Zane Gonzalez, kicking in his second game for Washington in place of the injured Austin Seibert – but the problems for the Commanders started before that.

Daniels said after the game center Tyler Biadasz and he were not on the same page and that the snap exchange was delayed.

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“I just have to be louder,” he said.

As Daniels bobbled the ball, Washington offensive linemen Sam Cosmi and Nick Allegretti ran into each other as they both pulled in their respective directions. Daniels sprinted parallel to the line of scrimmage in desperate search of the corner and a first down. It never materialized. Eagles linebacker Zack Baun smacked him out of bounds, and Philadelphia took over on downs.

“I trust the coaching staff and any decision they make. I’m always of the heart of going for it,” Daniels said. “I trust my teammates and trust the unit. I always trust the questions. I never question it.”