In the unforgiving world of the NFL, the fate of games – and sometimes seasons – can rest on the foot of a kicker. The Washington Commanders were harshly reminded of this reality in their Week 12 divisional clash with the Dallas Cowboys. Despite a valiant fourth quarter comeback attempt, the Commanders ultimately fell short 34-26, with missed kicks from Austin Seibert looming large.
A Day to Forget for Seibert
Returning from a two-game absence due to a hip injury, Seibert’s rust was evident early on. The 25-year-old pushed an extra point attempt wide right in the first half, foreshadowing the struggles to come. While he would connect on field goals from 41 and 51 yards out, Seibert’s inconsistency would rear its head at the most inopportune time.
Trailing 33-26 with just 21 seconds remaining, the Commanders scored on a thrilling 86-yard touchdown pass from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to star receiver Terry McLaurin. The euphoria was short-lived, however, as Seibert’s ensuing extra point attempt sailed wide left, leaving Washington still down a point. The Cowboys would go on to recover the onside kick and return it for a touchdown, providing the final margin.
“I just wasn’t striking it well,” a dejected Seibert admitted postgame, insisting that the hip injury was not a factor. The young kicker finished the day 2-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-4 on extra points.
Commanders Place Seibert on Injured Reserve
On Monday, Washington made the decision to place Seibert on injured reserve. It’s unclear if the move is related to his previous hip ailment or a new issue with his leg. Regardless, Seibert will now miss a minimum of four games, a significant blow for a Commanders team still fighting for a Wild Card spot in the hotly contested NFC East.
In a corresponding move, the Commanders signed rookie kicker Zane Gonzalez from the practice squad. Gonzalez filled in capably during Seibert’s initial absence, going a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-4 on PATs. Washington will now hope the strong-legged Arizona State product can provide some much-needed stability in the kicking game down the stretch.
A Razor-Thin Margin for Error
The Commanders’ loss to Dallas served as a stark reminder of just how slim the margin between winning and losing can be in the NFL. In a league where over 24% of games are decided by three points or fewer, the importance of a reliable kicker cannot be overstated. For a Washington team that has already played in five one-score games this season, losing Seibert for an extended period could prove costly.
As the stretch run approaches, the Commanders will need to quickly regroup and rally around Gonzalez if they hope to keep their playoff aspirations alive. In a league where the difference between euphoria and heartbreak so often comes down to a matter of inches, they can ill afford any more missed opportunities.
