Commanders players share disdain for ties after OT battle vs NY Giants

The Washington Commanders’ matchup against the NY Giants had huge playoff implications. When the dust settled, the teams settled for a 20-20 draw. The rivals traded blows (and mistakes) for four quarters plus overtime, and neither looked like it was going to win despite having ample opportunities.

The Commanders were seemingly on the verge of losing trailing by a touchdown after taking over with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter. As he typically does, Taylor Heinicke marched the offense down the field before Jahan Dotson executed a textbook spin move for a catch-and-run score to tie the game.

The effectively sent the game to overtime, where both offenses stalled.

Washington was actually in the driver’s seat in the extra quarter after Heinicke connected with Curtis Samuel for a 21-yard completion that took them into Giants territory at the 44-yard line. Needing just one more first down to trot out Joey Slye for the game-winner, they gained one yard before punting.

The Commanders never got that close again, and the score ended 20-20. It’s not a terrible result for Washington’s playoff hopes, but players were understandably flummoxed and frustrated that the game ended in a draw.

We’ll start with Terry McLaurin.

Commanders players hate the fact Sunday’s rivalry game against the NY Giants ended in a tie.

Great answer from McLaurin, who compiled eight catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in the game. If fans of both teams didn’t know how to react, you can only imagine how players felt after playing 70 minutes of football. The sport is too violent and physical to end in a tie. Plain and simple.

Next up was Jon Allen, who echoes the sentiment that NFL games should always have a winner and loser; never a draw. While player safety should always come first, it speaks volumes that players (on both teams) wanted to keep playing until a winner was decided.

Left tackle Charles Leno had a unique — some would say weird — perspective on Sunday’s result. While Leno isn’t satisfied Washington didn’t win, he isn’t exactly devastated Washington didn’t lose the game, though his analogy rubbed most of Commanders Twitter the wrong way.

Yeah … not gonna comment any further on that quote.

Please, Taylor Heinicke, save us.

"“It’s a weird feeling. It pretty much feels like a loss,” Heinicke added. “But, obviously, in the bigger picture, it doesn’t count as one. So we’ll move on from this. … We’ve got to get ready for them again.”"

The quarterback also confirmed no Jordan’s this week. Makes sense. It’s a winning tradition. Carrying it out after a tie would ruin it.

Finally, Brian Robinson, who rushed for 96 yards on 4.2 yards per attempt and totaled over 100 scrimmage yards for the second straight game, shares the disappointment of his elder teammates. The Alabama product had never been a part of a tie in his collegiate or professional career before Sunday.

"“I feel like everybody is kind of disappointed,” Robinson said. “We weren’t expecting a tie game. it’s kind of like a mellow vibe. We don’t feel like we won the game. … We had several opportunities. We’ve got to clean it up and do better.”"

Couldn’t agree more, BRob. It’s just a weird feeling all-around.

Luckily, Robinson and the Commanders will get another crack at the Giants in two weeks at FedEx Field. Given these reactions, suffice it to say Washington will be motivated to win the game outright, where it be in regulation or overtime.