Commanders’ last-second ‘Hail Mary’ lands in Canton
“I just heard people screaming and our sideline rushing the field. That’s how I knew.”
That was the reaction from Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who didn’t see his “Hail Mary” pass land in the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown, giving the Commanders an 18-15 last-play victory.
While the Hail Mary has provided many fans memorable last-second memories, what Daniels and Brown pulled off Oct. 27 was one for the record books.
“That’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Daniels remarked. “Not too many people get to experience stuff like that.”
And, statistically, he’s correct.
Daniels became the second rookie quarterback since 1970 to record a 50-yard, game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, joining Cleveland's Tim Couch in Week 8 of the 1999 season (56-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson).
The heave became only the seventh time a game-winning pass covering at least 50 yards was completed with no time left on the clock. The seven instances:
To help memorialize the Commanders’ big play, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has received the gloves Brown wore while catching the pass and an end zone pylon both Brown and Daniels have signed. These artifacts have been placed on display inside the Hall’s “Pro Football Today Gallery.”
That was the reaction from Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who didn’t see his “Hail Mary” pass land in the hands of wide receiver Noah Brown, giving the Commanders an 18-15 last-play victory.
While the Hail Mary has provided many fans memorable last-second memories, what Daniels and Brown pulled off Oct. 27 was one for the record books.
“That’s kind of like a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Daniels remarked. “Not too many people get to experience stuff like that.”
And, statistically, he’s correct.
Daniels became the second rookie quarterback since 1970 to record a 50-yard, game-winning touchdown pass as time expired, joining Cleveland's Tim Couch in Week 8 of the 1999 season (56-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Johnson).
The heave became only the seventh time a game-winning pass covering at least 50 yards was completed with no time left on the clock. The seven instances:
| Date | Team vs. Opponent | Receiver | QB | Distance | Final Score |
| Dec. 4, 1960 | Lions vs. Colts | Jim Gibbons | Earl Morrall | 65 | 20-15 |
| Oct. 31, 1999 | Browns vs. Saints | Kevin Johnson | Tim Couch | 56 | 21-16 |
| Dec. 8, 2002 | Browns vs. Jaguars | Quincy Morgan | Tim Couch | 50 | 21-20 |
| Nov. 14, 2010 | Jaguars vs. Texans | Mike Thomas | David Garrard | 50 | 31-24 |
| Dec. 3, 2015 | Packers vs. Lions | Richard Rogers | Aaron Rodgers | 61 | 27-23 |
| Dec. 9, 2018 | Dolphins vs. Patriots | Kenyon Drake | Ryan Tannehill | 69 | 34-33 |
| Oct. 27, 2024 | Commanders vs. Bears | Noah Brown | Jayden Daniels | 52 | 18-15 |
To help memorialize the Commanders’ big play, the Pro Football Hall of Fame has received the gloves Brown wore while catching the pass and an end zone pylon both Brown and Daniels have signed. These artifacts have been placed on display inside the Hall’s “Pro Football Today Gallery.”
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