The Washington Commanders had the ball at the New York Giants’ 24-yard line with 12 seconds left in overtime on Sunday, no timeouts, and a next-score-wins situation in front of it. A spike would have stopped the clock and sent Drew Stevens out for a field goal of roughly 41 yards at Northwest Stadium.
Jayden Daniels took a live snap instead.
He scrambled, held the ball and went down for no gain, and the Commanders were still hurrying to the line to spike it when the clock hit zero. The game ended in a 27-27 tie, the first of the NFL season.
Washington Commanders, Dan Quinn
Dec 29, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn reacts from the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Dan Quinn ripped off his headset and slammed it into the turf as the final seconds drained away. The clip spread across social media within minutes. Stevens, who had made two first-half field goals, never got onto the field.
New York had handed the Commanders that last possession. The Giants had driven to the Washington 24 and were in range for a game-ending kick when Cam Skattebo lost a fumble with about two minutes left in overtime. Dominic Zvada had already missed a 46-yarder in the extra period and finished 2-of-5 on field goals, which is why the Giants were still trying to move closer.
Daniels, playing his first game back from a second dislocation of his left elbow, put the ending on himself afterward.
“We all gotta be better situationally,” Daniels said. “Starts with me.”
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Nov 9, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stands with quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) on the sidelines during warmups prior to a game against the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
Dan Quinn just destroyed his headset.
https://t.co/Q15CXgSEJK
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 11, 2026
What broke down before the spike
Washington let the clock run on the previous snap without lining up to stop it, and the next play was set up as a Daniels pass. He never threw, and his own explanation reached past the huddle.
“We gotta stop the clock, we gotta know the situation,” Daniels said. “We gotta relay that as an offense, it starts from everybody top down. Ultimately, it’s on me.”
Daniels’ “top down” takes in the sideline. The game situation reaches the quarterback through the same coach-to-player communication that ended the afternoon in pieces on the grass.
By Daniels’ own account, the call to stop the clock was never relayed in time.
Washington Commanders, Dan Quinn
Nov 9, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn stands on the field following a loss to the Detroit Lions at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
Before that finish, Daniels threw for 199 yards and ran for 103 more with two touchdowns, including scoring runs of 38 and 26 yards, and Washington led 27-13 with under eight minutes left in regulation.
The Giants then scored on four straight possessions behind Jameis Winston, who finished with 326 yards and three touchdown passes, finding Malik Nabers for the 17-yard tying score with 1:43 remaining.
Washington leaves Landover at 1-3-1. The Giants move to 3-1-1 and stay on top of the NFC East.