This Week 17 prime time Sunday Night Football game was a key matchup for the ‘24 Commanders with significant playoff implications. With a win, Washington could lock up — at least — the 7th seed in the NFC playoffs. Combine a win with the loss by the Packers against the Vikings and the Commander would move into the 6th seed.
A loss to Atlanta would not eliminate the Commanders from playoff contention, but would create a lot of pressure for the team to win its final game in Dallas.
Atlanta was, at the time, leading the NFC South where they were locked in a battle for the division title with the Buccaneers — one that the Bucs would eventually win.