In an unexpected twist for the Washington Commanders, the team has announced that kicker Austin Seibert will be placed on injured reserve following a crucial performance hiccup during their recent matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. This decision trails a painful 34-26 loss for the Commanders, a game where Seibert faltered at pivotal moments.
Seibert's performance had been something the Commanders could count on; he had, until this game, remained flawless, successfully converting all 22 of his extra-point attempts earlier in the season. However, during this contest against the Cowboys, Seibert missed two vital extra points, which contributed significantly to the Commanders' narrow loss.
The first missed opportunity came after a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. This was followed by another miss after an explosive 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin. These lapses cost Washington dearly, particularly after the second miss left them trailing the Cowboys 27-26.
While the errors raised eyebrows, it should be noted that Seibert was playing with a concerning right hip. Despite acknowledging the discomfort, he assured that it had not hampered his gameplay for the day. “I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are,” Seibert mentioned in a candid post-game reflection.
Yet, owning up to his misses, he expressed his desire to do better. “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.” He also dismissed any blame on a low snap for his final attempt, saying, “It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me.”
The game also highlighted the indomitable spirit of the Dallas Cowboys, who defied 10.5-point odds stacked against them, seizing the victory with an unprecedented feat in NFL history: executing two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of this single game. Central to their triumph was CeeDee Lamb, who left his mark on the game and took a moment to acknowledge his former college mate Seibert during a post-game interview, stating playfully, “Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one.”
The absence of Seibert now creates a void for the Commanders, who must quickly address their kicker situation to regain their footing. The pressure of filling this gap looms large as they seek to recover momentum after this setback.
The confrontation with Dallas was more than just any regular-season game; it underscored the unpredictable nature of the sport and the thin margins that can decide NFL games. Washington must now navigate not only the path to mending their roster but also the psychological impact of a loss that slipped from their grasp due to tiny yet consequential errors.
As the NFL season presses forward, the Commanders will undoubtedly work on recalibrating their strategy, hoping this injury and missed opportunity serve as lessons learned on their continued quest for success.