Falcons vs. Commanders live score, updates, highlights from NFL ‘Sunday Night Football’ game

The 2023 Heisman Trophy finalists meet for the first time on Sunday night, and the stakes couldn’t be much higher.

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders took a decisive step toward the playoffs with a thrilling Week 16 win over the Eagles, putting themselves in position to clinch a playoff berth Sunday. Daniels threw five touchdowns in the win, overcoming five turnovers from the offense and making his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Falcons aren’t just looking to play spoiler. They control their fate in the NFC South, and they were given a spark by rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. in a blowout win over the Giants last weekend. The competition only gets tougher for Penix in his second career start, but a win could put him on track for a trip to the playoffs.

Daniels beat out Penix in last season’s Heisman race, but Penix has a chance to get the better of the former LSU star in their first NFL meeting — and potentially threaten threaten the Commanders’ playoff hopes in the process.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights from “Sunday Night Football” between the Falcons and Commanders. Follow along with the game below.

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Falcons vs. Commanders live score

Falcons vs. Commanders live updates, highlights from ‘Sunday Night Football’

(All times Eastern)

11:02 p.m. — Kyle Pitts can’t haul in the pass from Penix with Jeremy Chinn all over him. The Falcons are going for it here on 4th & 11.

11:01 p.m. — A huge 3rd & 11 is coming up for Atlanta.

11:00 p.m. — A holding call sets the Falcons back 10 yards.

10:58 p.m. — Penix hits Drake London for a big third down conversion. The Falcons are a yard past midfield with more than four minutes remaining.

Commanders 24, Falcons 17

10:53 p.m. FIELD GOAL — The door is still open for the Falcons. They force a field goal and keep the deficit within a possession as Washington extends its lead to 24-7.

10:51 p.m. — A holding penalty wipes out a Zaccheaus touchdown. That’s Sam Cosmi’s second costly penalty of the night. 

10:46 p.m. — Now Daniels hits John Bates for 14 yards to set up 1st & Goal. On a night in which Terry McLaurin has been quiet, Kliff Kingsbury has found a way to get the most out of everyone else.

10:45 p.m. — The Falcons’ defense is getting shredded right now. The Commanders start this drive with plays of 16, 7, 11 and 12 yards to push themselves into the red zone. This one is getting out of hand for Atlanta.

10:40 p.m. — Penix gets sacked on 3rd & 10! A teammate recovers his fumble, but the Falcons are forced to punt and really need a defensive stop here. Penix is sitting on just 121 yards.

Commanders 21, Falcons 17

10:32 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Chris Rodriguez Jr. gets past AJ Terrell and rumbles into the end zone! The Commanders have taken the lead early in the fourth quarter.

End of third quarter: Falcons 17, Commanders 14

10:28 p.m. — The Commanders will start the third quarter at the Falcons’ 14-yard line looking to take the lead.

10:26 p.m. — Zaccheaus has seven catches tonight and now runs for a first down. It’s a range game for the wideout, at least in his eyes.

10:23 p.m. — Wow, Jeremy McNichols picks up the first down on 4th & 5 with an extra effort after catching the pass from Daniels. That was close, but it keeps the drive alive for Washington.

10:19 p.m. — Daniels picks up another 13 yards on the ground and adds 18 two plays later. He’s up to 71 rushing yards tonight.

10:14 p.m. — Penix gets the ball swatted out of his hands on third down and recovers, but Atlanta is called for holding and it’s fourth down anyway. The Commanders’ defense gets a big three-and-out. 

10:10 p.m. — That was Daniels’ 24th touchdown pass of the season. Only six other rookies have thrown for at least 24 touchdowns, one of them being Bo Nix. 

Falcons 17, Commanders 14

10:08 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — More third down magic from the Commanders! Daniels hits Zach Ertz for a 10-yard touchdown to trim the deficit to three. What a drive by Ertz. 

10:06 p.m. — Daniels converts on 4th & 1, and the Commanders keep their chance at points alive.

10:04 p.m. — Terry McLaurin isn’t quite on the same page as Daniels tonight. He drops one pass and Daniels misses him on the next. McLaurin has only one catch for four yards on the night.

10:02 p.m. — Daniels scampers for nine yards to convert on 3rd & 5 and push Washington into field goal range.

10:00 p.m. — There goes Zach Ertz! The veteran tight end goes for 38 yards to take the Commanders into Falcons territory. He turned back the clock with that one.

9:56 p.m. — An illegal contact penalty turns what would’ve been 3rd & long into a fresh set of downs for the Commanders. That could be very consequential.

End of first half: Falcons 17, Commanders 7

9:40 p.m. — The Falcons can’t get it into the end zone, but Riley Patterson sends one through from 39 yards to push Atlanta’s lead to two possessions. Falcons up by 10 at halftime.

9:36 p.m. — Penix looks mature on this drive, which started with two nice rubs by Robinson. Back-to-back completions have the Falcons in field goal range.

9:31 p.m. — Washington is set to punt after the two-minute warning.

9:29 p.m. — It’s now 2nd & 30 after the deadly combination of a holding penalty and a Matt Judon sack. The Falcons are hoping to get the ball back before halftime, and they likely will. 

9:24 p.m. — Daniels gets the crowd back into it with a 25-yard run behind some great blocking. The Commanders have plenty of time here, still working with just under four minutes before halftime.

Falcons 14, Commanders 7

9:19 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — This time, Robinson is in! He rolls into the end zone and puts the Falcons up by seven. 

9:18 p.m. — This touchdown is going to come back. Robinson’s head was in the end zone, but the ball was just behind him and went out of bounds before crossing the goal line. It’ll be 1st & Goal from the one.

9:17 p.m. — Bijan Robinson runs it in again! His second touchdown of the night puts the Falcons up by seven, pending the extra point.

9:16 p.m. — Bijan Robinson is really making the most of his runs, using his patience to pick up eight yards after a roughing-the-passer penalty sets up the Falcons. Atlanta is on the doorstep.

9:15 p.m. — Now the Falcons’ running game is finding momentum. Robinson runs for 17 yards between two runs, and Atlanta mixes in Tyler Allgeier to approach the red zone. Allgeier has three carries on this drive, all for at least five yards.

9:11 p.m. — The Falcons go into Washington territory on a nice 14-yard gain by Drake London.

9:07 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Daniels is picked off by Kaden Elliss! The Falcons get one right back and end a scoring opportunity for the Commanders. Daniels has done a great job of avoiding interceptions most of the year, but he had two last week and now costs Washington early tonight.

9:06 p.m. — A Tyler Biadasz holding penalty backs the Commanders up another 10 yards.

9:05 p.m. — Daniels fires a dart to Zaccheaus, who already has five catches against his former team. It’s 1st & 10 from the 12 for Washington.

9:04 p.m. — Daniels hits Jamison Crowder for a big first down on 3rd & 4. The Commanders are in field goal range but looking for more.

9:00 p.m. — Brian Robinson Jr. runs right up the middle for a big gain and gets the Commanders out to near midfield. 

End of first quarter: Falcons 7, Commanders 7

8:56 p.m. — The Commanders finally rein in Bijan Robinson and force a quick three-and-out of their own. Things have settled down after a busy start to the night.

8:52 p.m. — The broadcast reports Daniels told the Commanders’ medical staff he is fine despite an awkward landing on the sack by Bertrand. 

8:50 p.m. — Daniels hits Zaccheaus for 12 yards but not nearly enough for a first down. Atlanta forces the first punt of the night.

8:49 p.m. — Daniels is sacked by JD Bertrand for a huge loss on second down. Luckily he’s alright, but the Commanders are facing 3rd & 23.

Falcons 7, Commanders 7

8:44 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Robinson runs in a direct snap and scores! The Falcons have tied this one up at seven.

8:43 p.m. — Penix misses his target in the back of the end zone, but Michael Davis pushed Drake London and is called for pass interference. Two penalties have kept the Falcons’ drive alive.

8:42 p.m. — Bijan Robinson runs the Falcons down to the 6-yard line as they try to cash in.

8:40 p.m. — A big break for the Falcons: Mike Sainristill lines up offside on fourth down and gives the Atlanta a fresh set of downs.

8:37 p.m. — Penix hits Kyle Pitts for a big 23-yar gain to enter Commanders territory. The rookie is trying to put his early interception behind him.

Commanders 7, Falcons 0

8:32 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Daniels hits Olamide Zaccheaus for the score! It’s Daniels’ 23rd touchdown pass of the season, and the Commanders have an early lead.

8:30 p.m. — Jayden Daniels tries to find Zach Ertz in the end zone on second down, but Ertz can’t come down with it.

8:27 p.m. INTERCEPTION — Penix is picked off downfield by Quan Martin! Just an ill-advised pass by the rookie. A strong return sets up the Commanders with strong field position.

8:24 p.m. — Bijan Robinson turns what would be little-to-no gain for most players into a few positive yards, and a screen pass gets the Falcons the first down on the next play.

8:22 p.m. — The Falcons will start with the ball, so we’ll get a quick look at Penix in his second career start.

8:00 p.m. — The Commanders haven’t been to the playoffs with a winning record since 2015, when they weren’t the Commanders. It’s a new era in Washington D.C. 

7:45 p.m. — The Vikings held on to defeat the Packers, so a Commanders win would make Washington the No. 6 seed, at least for now, and clinch the NFC West for the Rams. 

7:30 p.m. — Rain is dying down and expected to pass through, aside from a few light showers, so the weather won’t be as bad as previously forecasted at Northwest Stadium tonight. It’s a balmy 60 degrees.

6:40 p.m. — Bo Nix had some big moments yesterday, but the Broncos’ loss and his quiet overtime drives mean Jayden Daniels remains the heavy Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite even as Brock Bowers and Malik Nabers continue to shine.

6:30 p.m. — Let’s set the stage for tonight: the Commanders can clinch a playoff berth with a win. The Falcons can’t, but an Atlanta win would leave them one win away from an NFC South title. If the Vikings hold on, the Commanders would move to the No. 6 seed with a win AND clinch the NFC West for the Rams. 

Falcons vs. Commanders start time

• Date: Sunday, Dec. 20
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET

Sunday’s game between the Falcons and Commanders will kick off at 8:20 p.m. ET from Northwest Stadium in Landover, Md. 

How to watch Falcons vs. Commanders

• TV Channel: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock, Fubo

Falcons vs. Commanders will be broadcast nationally on NBC. As always, “Sunday Night Football” can be streamed on Peacock or with Fubo.

Falcons schedule 2024

Here is how the Falcons will close out the regular season:

Commanders schedule 2024

Here is a look at the Commanders’ remaining schedule: