For a second consecutive week, the Washington Commanders found themselves at the center of controversy involving an on-field play. In a Week 5 tie with the New York Giants, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels took a sack on 2nd and 8 at the Giants' 24-yard-line. Washington was well within field goal range to win, but the clock ran out, ending the game 27-27.
Although the second controversial moment wasn't as pivotal, it was still a head-scratcher. During Monday night's Week 6 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Commanders elected to go for a 4th-and-2 from the 49ers' 13-yard-line during the second quarter, a move that resulted in a baffling decision by Daniels to throw the ball out of bounds. After both plays, questions were raised about Daniels and head coach
Dan Quinn, with some believing the latter didn't know what down it was.
However, a new frame-by-frame breakdown of a video that some initially thought showed Quinn appearing confused that it was fourth down may actually do just the opposite. As Jimmy O'Brien of Jomboy Media detailed, in the video clip of Quinn, he may have believed that the penalty on the play meant it was still fourth down, and his reference of a "field goal" was due to that, not because he was unaware of the down.
The frame-by-frame breakdown shows each moment of Quinn's reaction, which makes it look like the decision to toss the ball out of bounds on fourth down may have landed squarely on Daniels' shoulders.
WARNING: The video below contains some graphic language.
I looked into this Dan Quinn lipreading pic.twitter.com/8kwh81w3nb
— Jimmy O'Brien (@Jomboy_) October 20, 2026
As the clip above explains, Quinn may have simply forgotten that the 49ers can decline the penalty and take the ball since it was fourth down.
Regardless, the decision to throw the ball away in that spot (or the lack of awareness of the down) has to fall on someone. However, this breakdown makes it appear far more likely that Quinn was well aware of the down, and that the decision to throw the ball away could land squarely on Daniels.
A touchdown on that drive would have cut the lead to 13-10, and that outcome looks even worse, considering the 49ers went on to win 23-17.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: New Dan Quinn 4th-down footage doesn't look great for Jayden Daniels
