With playoff implications for both teams riding on the results of Sunday Night Football in Week 17, Washington Commanders fans and Atlanta Falcons fans were all across social media, showcasing their passion for their respective teams. And once the Commanders won following a thrilling end, that buzz grew even bigger.
After driving down the field to tie the game up with just over two minutes left, chaos ensued following the Falcons' failed wildcat attempt.
"They go wildcat and they — screw it up."
Mike Tirico. pic.twitter.com/Cuxn6AlLJa
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 30, 2024
Being an Atlanta Falcons fan is a miserable experience pic.twitter.com/LkSvZjwG8t
— Nick Perkins (@NickyPerkss) December 30, 2024
Then, after Penix found Kyle Pitts for his first touchdown since Week 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, social media blew up.
This catch by Kyle Pitts was ELITE 🤯pic.twitter.com/wVJyUgPd5E https://t.co/YnqVDBORY4
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 30, 2024
Penix to KP!!!!!! What?!?!
NBC | NFL+ pic.twitter.com/TdAGEbmeUt
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) December 30, 2024
Falcons fans seeing Kyle Pitts score pic.twitter.com/EW9aOT6zwi
— IKB (@ikbdotgg) December 30, 2024
Michael Penix to Kyle Pitts. pic.twitter.com/rRyH5O9ntj
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) December 30, 2024
As if that wasn't enough, this game was just getting started.
After tying the game up 24-24, the Commanders' offense failed to get a first down, punting the ball with less than a minute remaining.
However, once Penix found Mooney for a 25-yard gain, he was kept in bounds and the clock continued to run.
Many social media users went to their platform of choice, voicing their confusion with Raheem Morris' decision to forego calling a timeout with less than a minute on the clock.
The Falcons win this game if Raheem Morris uses a timeout here… instead, 17 unnecessary seconds run off the clock 🤦♂️pic.twitter.com/AP499qpf02
— Kicks (@kicks) December 30, 2024
Ari Meirov did a nice job summing up how most fans felt in his post on X.
“Why on earth did the #Falcons not use a timeout?!?”
Meirov wasn't the only one to question the Falcons' clock management, however.
Raheem Morris when the Falcons have an extra timeout for next week pic.twitter.com/qEGXl7Jl6E
— Paulos (@LoswitheMos) December 30, 2024
Raheem Morris managing timeouts pic.twitter.com/vrLfDqAA6r
— Three Year Letterman (@3YearLetterman) December 30, 2024
Raheem Morris when he can call one of his two timeouts and save twenty much needed seconds
— . (@J0nesToChina) December 30, 2024
Even former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus caught a stray shot in this game.
NFL coaches lately when they have timeouts to use. pic.twitter.com/1mohjBgm2Y
— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) December 30, 2024
However, that's not where the fun ended in this game.
After Penix led the Falcons into field goal range, setting Riley Patterson up for a game-winning 56-yard field goal.
As time expired, Patterson's kick landed short of the back end zone line, sending this game into overtime. As hard as it might be to believe it, social media had their fun with this, too.
Kick is no good!! We're headed to OT 👀
📺: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DHKr8Gpg1x— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024
Atlanta Falcons kicker on the game winner pic.twitter.com/Bkytffinyz
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) December 30, 2024
THE ATLANTA FALCONS
56 YARDS
FOR THE WIN… pic.twitter.com/zo0d9EctBP
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) December 30, 2024
Falcons fans: “can we make the field goal ?”
Riley Patterson : pic.twitter.com/d9bftgentd
— 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯 (@xJahstin) December 30, 2024
How weak is Riley Patterson’s leg? pic.twitter.com/XNQGcHIzj8
— NFL Memes (@NFLHateMemes) December 30, 2024
Since Patterson's kick was no good, this game required overtime.
The Washington Commanders wasted no time, as rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led his offense down the field on a 12-play, 70-yard game-winning drive. The cap at the end of the scoring drive was a two-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to tight end Zach Ertz, which — shockingly — kept the social media fire roaring.
Common online troll BarryOnHere commented on the Falcons' collapse far before it even happened, hinting at another infamous blunder from the Falcons.
“I can't believe the Falcons are blowing a lead in an important game,” Barry wrote. “I really can't believe it.”
Following Barry's comment, these were some of the best reactions following the Commanders' game-winning drive in overtime, including a submission from the winning team's account.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024
Falcons trying to stop Jayden Daniels tonight pic.twitter.com/EvlS0nZg6l
— Underdog (@UnderdogFantasy) December 30, 2024
Watching Jayden Daniels play football pic.twitter.com/FqFdnF84Qh
— Greg Finberg (@GregFinberg) December 30, 2024
Commanders go into overtime
Jayden Daniels: pic.twitter.com/mtnSI96V5l
— Furious Styles (@ChrisWorthy_) December 30, 2024
11 wins for the first time in my 24 years of life… 😭 I LOVE YOU JAYDEN DANIELS pic.twitter.com/y63B9A3eZm
— johnwicc 🥷🏻 (@frozoneisland) December 30, 2024
Jayden Daniels with the game on the line this season pic.twitter.com/RkP8zBtj6k
— Hezo (@Hez0Tween) December 30, 2024
And with the Commanders clinching a wild-card spot in the playoffs with their win, the Falcons' pathway to the playoffs just got a bit tougher.