Washington’s latest loss brought another game-management error into focus, with quarterback Jayden Daniels throwing away a fourth-down pass despite a flag being on the field during Monday night’s 23-17 defeat against the San Francisco 49ers.
The pivotal play came in the second quarter, when the Commanders faced fourth-and-2 from the San Francisco 13-yard line. Daniels released the ball out of bounds, and the play resulted in a turnover on downs after officials ruled the flag was for an illegal shift by Washington.
Quick facts
- Washington lost 23-17 to San Francisco on Monday night.
- Daniels threw the ball away on fourth-and-2 at the 49ers’ 13-yard line.
- The penalty was an illegal shift on the Commanders, leaving the incompletion and turnover in place.
- Daniels completed 29 of 40 passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns.
- Washington has opened the season 1-4-1.
Coach Dan Quinn said Tuesday that Daniels needed to attempt a pass into the end zone or toward a receiver, even with uncertainty over the penalty marker. A defensive penalty would have erased a possible interception or other negative result, while an offensive penalty would still have left Washington needing a completed pass to convert.
“Even if you see the flag, you have to take the chance and throw it,” Quinn said. “You don’t know whether that flag will be picked up.”
Daniels said he did not know what the flag represented as the play unfolded. He said it might have been an offsides call or a penalty against Washington.
The error followed another costly late-game situation in Week 5 against the New York Giants. With eight seconds left in overtime, Daniels did not throw the ball away, and the game ended in a tie.
Washington showed fight after halftime against the 49ers, and Daniels produced 300 passing yards with two touchdown throws. But the Commanders again left a key opportunity unfinished, extending concerns over execution in pressure moments.
Quinn said Daniels has continued to show both high-end ability and areas that need refinement. “There are plays where you think, ‘That is an incredible throw,’” Quinn said, while adding that there are other snaps where he wants his quarterback to stay with the progression longer.
For the Commanders to recover from their 1-4-1 start, Daniels will need to limit the mental mistakes that have undercut some of his best throws. Washington’s offense has shown it can move the ball, but late-down decisions remain a major issue heading into the rest of the season.
