Washington Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves had a night to remember on and off the field.
After the Commanders secured a thrilling 30-24 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons, clinching their first playoff berth since 2020, Reaves made the moment even more special by proposing to his long-time girlfriend, Mikaela Worley.
Amid the cheers at Northwest Stadium, Reaves guided Worley down from the stands and dropped to one knee on the sideline. Overwhelmed with emotion, Worley said, “Yes,” as tears flowed. The couple embraced as teammates rushed over to celebrate.
“Glad we got to share that moment with the best fans in the world!” Reaves shared on X, formerly Twitter, following the game.
The victory was fueled by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who showcased his talent by connecting with tight end Zach Ertz for the game-winning touchdown in overtime, sealing a perfect night for the Commanders and their fans.
The game was anything but straightforward for the young Washington Commanders, as both teams traded blows in a back-and-forth battle.
For the second consecutive week, 24-year-old rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels had to rally the Commanders from behind, overcoming a 17-7 halftime deficit.
Washington chipped away at the Falcons’ lead until Chris Rodriguez powered into the end zone with a two-yard rushing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, giving the Commanders their first lead since the opening minutes.
The highlight of the night, however, was the thrilling duel between Daniels and fellow rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., both showcasing their talent in a game to remember.
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., making just his second career start, kept Atlanta in the game with a clutch connection to tight end Kyle Pitts, tying the score at 24-24 with just over a minute remaining in regulation.
Selected six picks after Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix Jr. showed resilience despite an early interception, finishing with 223 yards and a touchdown as he battled to keep the Falcons’ playoff hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Daniels continued to dazzle in Washington’s victory, completing 24 of 36 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The rookie quarterback also showcased his dual-threat abilities, rushing for 127 yards on 16 carries.
Tight end Zach Ertz, who caught two of Daniels’ touchdown passes, praised the rising star during a postgame interview with NBC.
“It’s been a long couple of years, honestly,” Ertz said. “Playing with Jayden at this stage of my career is a blessing. The whole league should be on notice. Everyone loves playing with him—he’s the ultimate teammate and leader. He just gave me a chance at the end of the game, and I’m grateful.”
Jayden Daniels continued to build his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year while etching his name into the NFL record books.
With a seven-yard run in the fourth quarter, Daniels surpassed former Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III’s rookie rushing record of 815 yards, set in 2012. Daniels now holds the all-time rookie rushing record with 864 yards and counting.
Griffin III took to social media to congratulate Daniels on the milestone, praising the young quarterback for his historic achievement.
“I wanted Jayden Daniels to break my rookie rushing record because I’m all about supporting the next generation,” Robert Griffin III shared on X, formerly Twitter. “He EARNED IT. He is the FUTURE. Some of these old heads need to stop drinking haterade and start lifting these young guys up instead of tearing them down.”
With the Commanders’ victory, they not only clinched a playoff spot but also helped the Los Angeles Rams secure the NFC West title. Thanks to a strength-of-victory tiebreaker, the Rams edged out the Seattle Seahawks after key Week 17 wins by the Commanders, Bengals, Bills, and Vikings.
The Falcons, however, now face an uphill battle for the NFC South crown. Atlanta must beat the Carolina Panthers in their season finale and hope the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose to the New Orleans Saints to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Looking ahead, the Commanders will take on the Dallas Cowboys on the road next week, and Jayden Daniels remains focused on the task at hand.
“I love my team against anybody,” Daniels said postgame. “The brotherhood we’ve built is special, but we’ve got to take it one game at a time. We’ll face Dallas next week and worry about the playoffs after that.”