Commanders kicker Matt Gay takes responsibility for TNF loss after brutal night
The Washington Commanders dropped to 1-1 after their Thursday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers, and kicker Matt Gay made no excuses for his role in the defeat. The veteran specialist missed two critical field goals, leaving valuable points on the board during key stretches of the second half.
The Commanders offense found some rhythm late, but the early missed chances from special teams became too much to overcome. Gay connected on a 51-yard field goal in the first half but missed attempts from 58 and 52 yards in the second. Both would have narrowed the margin and changed the momentum of the game. The missed kicks highlighted the pressure placed on the Commanders special teams unit to deliver in tight moments.
Following the game, the 31-year-old kicker addressed reporters. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala posted the full video to her X (formerly known as Twitter) account, capturing a visibly frustrated but accountable Gay as he met the media head-on.
“I take full responsibility for this loss.”
The comments struck a chord with Commanders fans, with many respecting the honesty following a disappointing performance. Despite a strong career track record—converting more than 84 percent of his field goal attempts—Thursday night was a rare misstep on a national stage. His willingness to face the backlash underscores his leadership and veteran presence in the locker room.
While much of the spotlight fell on Gay, the game saw other concerning trends. The defense allowed 404 total yards, and despite a late spark from second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels, the team could not mount a full comeback. Daniels finished with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns, but Washington’s offense produced just 11 yards in the first quarter.
As the Commanders regroup during their mini-bye ahead of a Week 3 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, Gay’s accountability could become a catalyst rather than a scapegoat. With the locker room already navigating injuries to Austin Ekeler and Deatrich Wise Jr., the veteran kicker’s response sets the tone for how the team plans to bounce back.
Vikings RB to Miss at Least 4 Games After Gutsy Game-Clinching Play
The Minnesota Vikings running back depth just took a serious hit.
After sustaining a knee injury in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, fourth-year running back Ty Chandler was placed on the injured reserve list on Thursday, September 11.
While Chandler did not take a carry in the opener, he is a vital depth piece with 663 yards rushing, three touchdowns and 38 games played in his career. He is credited with a heads-up play to look toward head coach Kevin O’Connell on the Bears’ final kickoff return. O’Connell gave Chandler the signal to take the ball out of the end zone, ultimately draining enough clock to pass the two-minute warning and help the Vikings ice the game.
He did so while playing through the injury.
“It is something that just speaks to Ty Chandler, not only finishing the game, but being one of the last people to touch the football there on that last kick return, when he brought it out to make sure we ate up that two-minute warning,” O’Connell said on Wednesday. “Ty is so tough. He’s one of those people that you’re not surprised when you kind of hear about it in detail the next day of like, this could be something that causes him to miss a little bit of time. That’s how tough he is, and he wasn’t coming off the field in any capacity. So, we’ll get him cleaned up and healthy, and everything will be good.”
Starting inside linebacker Blake Cashman was also placed on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 1. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah remain in concussion protocol and are at risk of missing a Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
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Vikings Undrafted Rookie Gets Chance After Chandler Injury
The Vikings running back room has little experience on the roster after Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
The duo proved efficient in their timeshare at Soldier Field and figures to dominate the work in the backfield.
However, if either were to go down, Minnesota would hitch its hopes to 2024 undrafted rookie Zavier Scott, who spent last season on the practice squad.
Scott shined during the preseason enough to garner a roster spot and force the Vikings to carry four backs into the regular season.
Chandler joins C.J. Ham on the injured reserve list, which could lead to some tough decisions when both backs are ready to return to the 53-man roster.
In the meantime, Scott is likely next in line to handle kickoff returns in Chandler’s absence.
Ty Chandler’s Prove-It Year Derailed With Injury
Chandler’s injury is unfortunate for the fourth-year back who is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Considered a trade chip entering the season, Chandler’s injury will keep him from asserting his value for a role before the deadline.
There also won’t be much room for him to showcase his talents on offense with the Mason-Jones tandem taking up all the carries.
Hopefully, Chandler can return quickly and contribute on special teams to help the Vikings, but his role with the team beyond this season remains questionable.
