In a game that will be long remembered for its dramatic twists, the Washington Commanders came up short against the Dallas Cowboys, losing 34-26. A significant part of the storyline revolved around kicker Austin Seibert, who has now been placed on injured reserve following a challenging performance and subsequent injury concerns.
Seibert's recent form had been impeccable, having successfully converted all 22 of his extra-point attempts this season. However, Sunday's matchup told a different tale. Seibert missed two pivotal extra points, casting shadows over the Commanders’ spirited attempts to regain momentum during an intense game at AT&T Stadium.
His first miss followed a dynamic 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. The missed point after swung momentum away from Washington, setting the stage for Seibert's next critical error. This followed a spectacular 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, which placed the Commanders within striking distance. However, another missed extra point left the score at 27-26, trailing by the narrowest of margins.
After the game, Seibert was candid about his performance. "I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that. Just wasn't striking well, but it means a lot to me to be here with these guys, so I just want to put my best foot... moving forward," said Seibert, reflecting the internal pressure and determination to recover from the day's setbacks.
Speculation about Seibert's condition grew after the game, especially given that his right hip had been a concern prior to kickoff. Still, he downplayed its impact: "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are." Yet, despite his convictions, the Commanders have made the call to place him on injured reserve, highlighting the potentially more serious nature of his condition post-game.
Adding another layer of complexity to the narrative, the Cowboys not only overcame the Commanders and 10.5-point odds against them, but also etched their names into the NFL record books. They became the first team to record two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game — a feat that added additional pressure on Washington's special teams.
Meanwhile, CeeDee Lamb made a notable contribution to the Cowboys' triumph. In the midst of his celebration, he acknowledged Seibert with an unsparing candor that only rivals in close-knit sports circles can foster, saying, "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one."
For Washington, the immediate future involves contemplating their kicker's replacement and rallying to regain composure as a unit. The absence of Seibert's reliable foot leaves the team in a precarious position, forced to seek out a suitable substitute in a league where kicking precision can alter the trajectory of entire seasons.
As the Commanders face this unexpected hurdle, their focus must remain on maintaining team cohesion and building upon the positive aspects demonstrated in their offensive drive, led by Jayden Daniels. The setback against the Cowboys presents an opportunity to underscore resilience and recalibrate ambitions amid the season's evolving challenges.