It wasn't pretty. It wasn't perfect. But the result was all that mattered to the Washington Commanders in their quest for the postseason.
What's that old saying, better to be lucky than good? That's the best way to describe what transpired for the Commanders at the Caesars Superdome against the New Orleans Saints in Week 15.
They looked in complete control of proceedings in the first half. The Commanders didn't put a foot wrong and held a 14-0 lead at the interval that could have been more. Things changed quickly after that.
Commanders were fortunate at the Saints, but a win is a win
Spencer Rattler coming in for starting quarterback Jake Haener sparked the Saints into life. Their defense looked rejuvenated, generating pressure at will led by Cam Jordan and ex-Washington defensive end Chase Young. The Commanders needed a two-point conversion stop with no time remaining to secure a nail-biting triumph.
This was a good time for Washington to use its get-out-of-jail-free card. The Los Angeles Rams were breathing down their neck after a Thursday Night Football success over the San Francisco 49ers. Keeping them at arm's length — by any means necessary on the road — was essential.
The Commanders have found different ways to win throughout the campaign. This was one of the more dramatic, but Quinn will be the first to admit that things need to get better to make their postseason dreams become reality.
Washington didn't look prepared for Rattler. That's a concern considering there were questions about Haener's capabilities. This was always a potential scenario, yet the Commanders seemed surprised.
There's no point dwelling on the game film for too long. It was a contest they could have lost but managed to win — albeit in extremely fortunate circumstances. What's important for Quinn is taking some positives from the clash and rectifying the errors before a difficult home test versus the Philadelphia Eagles next weekend.
That game is why the win matters so much. Had the Commanders lost in New Orleans and the Eagles, they'd probably be on the outside looking in. As it turns out, they could have a little extra breathing space regardless of how next weekend's result goes.
This is all part of the learning experience. Nobody expected the Commanders to be in the playoffs so soon into a massive rebuild under the new regime. They are still learning how to cope with raised expectations. Growing pains were always going to arrive, but they displayed resolve and got a stroke of good luck when it mattered.
Quinn needs his team to be better over the next three games. The two divisional games will be tough. There's also the small matter of a home clash with the Atlanta Falcons which is a candidate for primetime to factor into the equation.
It's a nervous time for everyone. But a win is a win no matter how it arrives.