There was probably no more relieved man at MetLife Stadium on Thursday night than Dan Quinn.
His Washington Commanders were in a do-or-die situation, and two interceptions from quarterback Jayden Daniels on consecutive fourth-quarter drives left them with a mountain to climb.
Normally this season, the Commanders would have buckled in this situation.
Dan Quinn's relief couldn't be hidden after vital Commanders win
Fortunately for Quinn, his team dug deep to claim a season-saving triumph, further proving how much the locker room is still fighting for their coach.
The Commanders needed it. Quinn needed it. And for once, clutch time worked in the team's favor.
Urgency can make or break players and coaches. Many teams in Washington's situation have wilted before, and many fans were calling for the Commanders to sell off assets and accept their fate before the 2026 trade deadline.
There is no quitting in Quinn or this team. They were confident things would improve, and even though the performance wasn't perfect, the result carried far greater significance.
Now, the Commanders have a fighting chance. It won't be easy, and the pendulum could swing again if they don't beat the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football. But with 12 days to rest, heal, and refocus, they cannot be counted out.
The joy and palpable relief on Quinn's face after the game told its own story. He knew what this meant, and he knew what may have come next if the Commanders didn't come through.
“We needed that. We needed every bit of it. This is one we had to have, and our guys make sure we have it. Going into it, we thought this is going to be all four quarters. It felt like the most adversity, but also the most belief. It was a balance of both, and we definitely needed that.”
Quinn clearly had a huge weight lifted off his shoulders, but the hard work is just getting started.
Dan Quinn and the Commanders know they are not out of danger yet
The Commanders have newfound momentum after extending their good run over the Giants, but they are still 3-5-1 on the season. This result counts for nothing if Washington cannot build on it, so keeping everyone on an even keel is crucial.
Nobody will be getting ahead of themselves. Quinn is experienced enough to know this is nothing more than a reprieve, and the pressure remains to string together a series of positive results.
He's given the players a nice long weekend off. When they return, their situation will be made crystal clear again before stud quarterback Joe Burrow and his high-octane Bengals offense come to town.
It's another prime time game. It's another chance to show the NFL that the Commanders are not a walkover. And it's another chance for Quinn to improve his hopes of keeping his job beyond the 2026 campaign.
That's what's on the line.
One result doesn't change the fact.
Washington still has problems to fix. The pre-snap penalties are a constant source of frustration. The rushing attack isn't setting the tone nearly enough, and the injuries aren't helping either.
Even with these obvious deficiencies, the Commanders are still scrapping. That is a testament to how much this squad believes in Quinn, and the feeling is mutual.
But if the relief on Quinn's face is any indication, things are still hanging precariously until further notice.
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