Sometimes the stars align just right. That’s what happened for the Washington Commanders on the final play of their game Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
The fact that CBS announcer Jim Nantz was on the call for that play was also part of the magic.
The Commanders trailed the Chicago Bears 15-12 as quarterback Jayden Daniels dropped back and the clock hit zeroes, meaning their only chance to win was to attempt a Hail Mary pass into the endzone. After evading defenders for a bit, Daniels finally launched the ball from just in front of his own 30-yard-line into a scrum just in front of the endzone. The ball bounced off the hands of one of the Chicago defenders and into the waiting hands of Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown who caught it for the game-winning touchdown.
It was an epic play and Nantz’s call made it all the more memorable.
“Here comes the Hail Mary with the game on the line… AND THE BALL IS CAUGHT! CAUGHT! IT’S A MIRACLE! IT’S NOAH BROWN! OH MY GOODNESS! THIS TOWN IS GOING CRAZY!” – Jim Nantz with the epic call on the Commanders’ walk-off win pic.twitter.com/7OhmdqgcHi
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 27, 2024
“Comes down to one last play and it’s gonna be getting longer by the second. You’re all the way back at the 30-yard-line” he started. “Now you can step into it. Here comes the Hail Mary with the game on the line… AND THE BALL IS CAUGHT! CAUGHT! IT’S A MIRACLE! IT’S NOAH BROWN! OH MY GOODNESS! THIS TOWN IS GOING CRAZY! IT’S A MADHOUSE IN LANDOVER, MARYLAND!”
A pro like Nantz knew exactly how to meet the moment and he received plenty of kudos from the sports media world.
Jim Nantz nailed this from “now you can step into it” to “hear comes the hail mary” to “CAUGHT!!!!!!!!” pic.twitter.com/sCCihlQA7l
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) October 27, 2024
This final call my Jim Nantz is awesome.
“THIS TOWN IS GOING CRAZY”
Yes, it is. Wow.pic.twitter.com/bmXcBIASA5
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) October 27, 2024
What a call by Jim Nantzpic.twitter.com/YgL1NVgvnQ
— Jeremiah Martinez (@TheJerryMartin) October 27, 2024
Amazing call from Jim Nantz here. Still electric after 20 years of play calling. One of the best sports broadcasters out there! https://t.co/bJbXTL4Uv7
— Brendan Walker (@BWalkerNFL) October 27, 2024
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.