The Washington Commanders face a challenging period as they have placed their kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve. Seibert, a reliable component of the Commanders' special teams unit, had successfully converted all 22 of his extra-point attempts before the recent matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. However, a rare lapse in accuracy during that game has significantly impacted the team's prospects, as Seibert missed two crucial extra points in a tight contest.
The issues began following a 17-yard touchdown run by Jayden Daniels in the third quarter, where Seibert failed to capitalize on the extra point. His struggles continued after an 86-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin, leaving Washington trailing the Cowboys 27-26. Seibert's misses in such critical moments were unexpected, given his flawless track record up to that point in the season.
While the Commanders were dealing with the aftermath of Seibert's off-day, the Cowboys celebrated a historic win. Overcoming 10.5-point odds, Dallas marked an NFL first by returning two kickoffs for touchdowns in the fourth quarter, taking control of the game in spectacular fashion. CeeDee Lamb, a key player in the Cowboys' success, took a moment post-game to acknowledge Seibert, recalling their shared history at the University of Oklahoma. "Shoutout to (Commanders kicker Austin Seibert). He went to OU with me. He gave us one," Lamb remarked, highlighting the interconnectedness of their careers even as rivals.
In the wake of this loss, the Commanders are now tasked with replacing Seibert, who played through concerns about his right hip. Despite these issues, Seibert had been confident in his ability to perform, having stated, "I felt fine. That's why I made the decision to play, and here we are." His commitment to the team was evident, though it ultimately led to an unfavorable result.
In moments of self-reflection, Seibert expressed his thoughts candidly, owning up to his on-field performance. "I just want to play better for my teammates, you know, definitely don't want to do that. Just wasn't striking well," he admitted. Seibert was determined not to shift blame, even when a low snap contributed to the last missed kick. He emphasized personal accountability, saying, "It didn't make a difference at all. It's on me."
For the Commanders, the challenge now extends beyond just finding a temporary replacement for Seibert. They must also work to regain their momentum after this setback. The game against the Cowboys represents one of those moments that can define a season, not purely by the loss itself but by how the team chooses to respond in the upcoming games. The Commanders have previously shown resilience in the face of adversity, and now, once more, they look to rally, adapt, and push forward.