The Washington Commanders didn't play their cleanest game in Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They gave up a 10-point lead in the second half and there were countless mental errors throughout. However, they still had a shot to get in field goal range in another two-minute drill.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was finding his groove despite the Steelers' defense making things extremely difficult. His connection to wide receiver Noah Brown got them closer. It all came down to a 4th-down play that needed nerves of steel from all involved.
Daniels did his part. He went through his progressions well and delivered a strike to veteran tight end Zach Ertz. It looked like he'd done enough for the first down before going back on himself and was judged to be short of the marker.
Commanders only have themselves to blame despite dubious late call
Worst still? The decision stood after further review.
To say this was controversial would be an understatement. Just look at the photo evidence.
Its copium szn. Clear as day 1st down pic.twitter.com/dRg0x0ah5L
— PFT Commenter (@PFTCommenter) November 10, 2024
That's not the official line, but it's pretty close. Ertz looks beyond the sticks upon receiving the football. He barely makes a football move before getting hit. If the referees had given him forward progress to move the chains, nobody would have batted an eyelid.
Unfortunately for the Commanders, they didn't. And rookie defensive tackle Johnny Newton's lack of discipline to jump on a 4th-down where the Steelers had no intention of getting off a play condemned head coach Dan Quinn's men to their third loss of the season.
It came as no surprise to see the officiating crew come in for scathing criticism on social media after the dramatic finish. This could have gone either way. Things didn't go in Washington's direction this time, but they only have themselves to blame.
After weathering an early storm, the Commanders took charge. They looked comfortable at one stage before key drops on offense and the lack of defensive capabilities proved to be their undoing.
Quinn won't be blaming the refs. The call looked egregious, but it was just one call. Washington shot themselves in the foot too many times to depend on one decision, no matter how bad it looked.
It's also only one loss. Nobody likes losing and the Commanders haven't had to experience this feeling much in 2024. Taking this on the chin and responding positively on a short week is the only course of action on a short week before traveling to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
If the Commanders can dig deep and get one over on their division rivals with the national spotlight glaring, this dubious call will soon be forgotten.