In hindsight, the Washington Commanders’ battle with the Los Angeles Chargers was already over by the middle of the third quarter. But no one knew it at the time.
The Commanders were up by a touchdown and had driven all the way to the Chargers' 13-yard line. They faced a 2nd-and-5.
Washington was in the process of finishing a rather extraordinary turnaround after looking all but dead in the first quarter. The offense was anemic. The defense couldn’t stop rookie running back Omarion Hampton or any of the Chargers' pass catchers. But a crucial fumble seemed to ignite both units, and the Commanders scored 17 straight points.