Seibert Hits the Rocks as Cowboys Surge Past Commanders
In an unexpected twist, the Washington Commanders will need to reassess their kicking strategy as they have placed kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve. The move comes on the heels of Seibert's struggles during a closely fought 34-26 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
A Game of Inches and Missed Opportunities
What might have been remembered as a thrilling encounter will now be etched in fans' minds for two pivotal missed extra points by Seibert. Previously automatic in his extra-point attempts, having converted all 22 before Sunday, Seibert faltered when it mattered most. The first crucial miss came after a 17-yard touchdown run from Jayden Daniels in the third quarter. The game slipped further out of the Commanders’ grasp with another missed extra point following an exhilarating 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin.
The missed opportunities left Washington trailing the Cowboys 27-26—a narrow gap that emphasized the importance of every single point at this level of competition.
Commanders' Struggles and Cowboys' Historic Feat
The Dallas Cowboys defied the odds—quite literally—as they overcame a 10.5-point handicap to secure victory. The win was punctuated by their own remarkable feat, becoming the first team in NFL history to achieve two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a single game.
CeeDee Lamb, a key player for the Cowboys, chipped in to ensure the team’s standout performance. Adding a personal note, Lamb acknowledged his past with Seibert by stating, "Shoutout (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one."
Austin Seibert Reflects and the Road Ahead
For Seibert, it was a challenging outing. Reflecting on the experience, he expressed his determination and accountability: "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." Despite dealing with a right hip issue, Seibert believed he was fit to play. "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are," he remarked.
As Seibert faces time away from the field, the Commanders will need to fill this gap in their lineup, with the gravity of Sunday’s contest underscoring the pivotal role of kicking in the game.
Washington, keen to regain momentum after the setback, will be looking to address not just the personnel changes but the broader implications of missed opportunities as they chart a path forward.
With each game a critical chapter in the story of a season, the Commanders’ next steps will be watched closely. They must adapt swiftly to maintain competitiveness, while Seibert’s path to recovery and his eventual return remains a narrative thread to watch.