Dan Quinn did not dodge the clock blunder that cost Washington a win on Sunday. A day after the Commanders and Giants tied 27-27 in overtime, the head coach took the blame. “It was a breakdown. It can’t happen,” Quinn said Monday.

Now the Commanders have to move on fast. Washington is 1-3-1 and faces the undefeated San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Oct. 19.

How the Final Drive Fell Apart

Washington had the ball at the Giants’ 24 late in overtime. However, the Commanders had no timeouts left. The plan was to run some clock and set up a game winning kick.

Instead, the clock became the problem. Quinn said a handoff to Rachaad White took “entirely too long.” Then the final snap went wrong, and time ran out before the kicking unit could get on the field. As a result, a likely win turned into a tie.

Quinn Takes the Blame

Quinn made it clear that the mistake starts with him. He said the team practices these situations every week. “We work really hard on these, and it didn’t look like that yesterday,” he said.

He also spoke about the mood inside the building. “Trust me, everyone in this building, starting with me, feels that urgency,” Quinn said.

Is Quinn on the Hot Seat?

The tie added more heat to a tough stretch. Washington went 5-12 last season. So the Commanders are 6-15-1 since the start of 2025. Overall, Quinn is 18-20-1 in Washington.

Still, a change does not appear close. NFL reporter Josina Anderson said Quinn is “safe for now.” Quinn also has credit in the bank. After all, he led Washington to the playoffs in 2024.

Daniels Gives Washington Hope

There was good news on Sunday, too. Jayden Daniels returned from a dislocated left elbow and looked like himself. He went 17 of 25 for 199 yards through the air. On top of that, he ran nine times for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition, Daron Payne forced a fumble by Cam Skattebo in overtime. That play kept the Giants from a chance at a winning kick.

Up Next: the 49ers

The schedule does not get any easier. San Francisco has not lost a game yet this season. Meanwhile, Washington sits fourth in the NFC East.

For Quinn, the message this week is simple. Clean up the details and close out games. A win on Monday night would go a long way toward quieting the noise.