Harbaugh explains Giants' fourth-down penalty attempt in loss to Commanders
Jameis Winston used song lyrics in his cadence, but Washington did not jump offside before New York punted in the 24-21 defeat.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh said drawing an offside penalty, rather than making a serious attempt at a conversion, was his aim in sending Jameis Winston out for a late fourth down against Washington. New York eventually lost 24-21 after surrendering a touchdown with roughly a minute left.
The Giants led 21-17 and had fourth-and-1 at their own 11-yard line with fewer than four minutes to play. Harbaugh, who has deployed the backup quarterback on sneaks throughout the season, said no play had been called. He credited Washington's discipline after the attempt failed to draw an offside penalty. A delay-of-game penalty preceded New York's punt.
Harbaugh also said he was aware Winston would include lyrics from “Who Let the Dogs Out” in his cadence. Winston said he and his teammates had practiced the approach in an effort to make defenders jump offside.
Jayden Daniels then found Stefon Diggs on a 32-yard touchdown pass that decided the game. The defeat put the Giants' record at 5-3-1, but they retained the NFC East lead. The Commanders stood at 3-5-1.
