Winston's musical fourth-down tactic fails to draw Commanders offside

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. Jameis Winston brought an unusual musical touch to a crucial fourth-down situation Thursday night, trying to lure the Washington Commanders offside with a chant from “Who Let the Dogs Out.” The attempt failed, and the New York Giants went on to lose 24-21.

New York was ahead 21-17 with just over three minutes left when coach John Harbaugh sent the offense back onto the field for fourth-and-1 at its own 11-yard line. The formation suggested the Giants might try to secure a first down despite their field position. Harbaugh said afterward that he was not seriously considering such a gamble so close to his own goal line.

Instead, Winston delivered the song's familiar hook at the line of scrimmage, emphasizing the barking response in hopes that a Washington defender would move early. The Commanders held their positions. After the unsuccessful effort to draw a flag against Washington, the Giants incurred a 5-yard penalty and punted with 3:27 remaining.

The unusual cadence was a planned part of New York's preparation, rather than an impromptu performance from its quarterback. Winston said the team had practiced it because defenses try to anticipate the rhythm of an offense's signals. He had devised the idea himself and hoped the change in cadence would persuade the Commanders to jump. Asked why he selected that particular song, he said, “Just had a nice ring to it.”

Harbaugh also knew which chant Winston intended to use. The coach explained that the purpose of sending the offense back out was to create a chance for an offside penalty, something teams occasionally concede in those situations. He acknowledged that Washington had handled the attempt with discipline, leaving New York without the penalty it sought.

Winston's choice added a musical variation to a familiar quarterback practice. Players have long relied on distinctive words and phrases when calling signals before the snap. Peyton Manning famously used “Omaha,” while Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has made “Here we go!” part of his cadence. The Baha Men song also served as a signature chant for New York Knicks coach Mike Brown during his team's championship run in the spring.

Although Winston had rehearsed the football application, he was less accurate about the song's origins. He attributed it to the Black Eyed Peas rather than the Baha Men. His version supplied an unusual moment in the closing minutes, but it did not produce the defensive mistake the Giants needed.