A surprise performance of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” became one of the most unusual moments of the New York Giants’ Week 10 matchup with the Washington Commanders.
With the game on the line Thursday night, Giants backup quarterback Jameis Winston used the Baha Men’s 2000 hit as part of a pre-snap cadence. The plan was to disrupt Washington’s defensive rhythm and potentially draw the defense into a neutral-zone infraction. Instead, the Commanders stayed disciplined, and the Giants were penalized for delay of game.
Former Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott later joked about the moment during a conversation with Rich Eisen. The two discussed Winston’s attempt and compared it to the kind of exaggerated comedy often found in old football movies. Their conversation also turned to McDermott’s dog, Champ, who had appeared during a virtual interview with Eisen on October 30.
Eisen joked that Winston might have missed their earlier conversation and wanted to find out what kind of dog Champ was. McDermott then offered his take on what the quarterback was trying to accomplish.
“I think he expected that maybe the Commanders were going to kind of relax on that and then he was going to sneak it,” McDermott said. “But when they did relax, he was like, ‘Okay, the tricks, you know, it’s no good. It’s no.’ He called it off.”
McDermott continued, suggesting Winston decided to accept the delay-of-game penalty or call a timeout once the defense did not react as hoped. While he described the attempt as an interesting approach, he also joked that it might become something seen more often around the league.
## The plan behind Winston’s unusual cadence
The play came late in the fourth quarter, with 3:41 remaining. The Giants faced fourth-and-1 at their own 11-yard line while holding a 21–17 lead.
Winston later acknowledged that the team had practiced using the song’s familiar hook and barking sounds as a fake cadence. The idea was to throw off Washington’s defensive timing and encourage a defender to jump early, which could have given New York a first down and helped preserve its lead. Winston also said the choice was partly a tribute to the Baha Men.
Giants head coach John Harbaugh confirmed after the game that he knew about the plan.
“Yeah, I knew that,” Harbaugh told reporters. “That was part of the cadence, yeah. That’s part of the cadence. You know, teams do jump in those situations sometimes. So that was the idea.”
The tactic did not produce the result New York wanted. Washington’s defense did not take the bait, and the Giants were called for delay of game. The penalty forced them to punt rather than extend the drive or run more time off the clock.
Winston did not appear overly concerned about the unusual moment afterward. He explained that he chose the Baha Men song because it “had a nice ring to it.” Eisen and McDermott carried the joke further, imagining quarterbacks using their pre-snap cadences like jukeboxes to sing their favorite songs.
## Washington rallies late
The failed cadence was one of several dramatic moments in a close game. Washington ultimately came away with the win, despite two late interceptions.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels helped set up the decisive score with a three-play, 71-yard drive. With 57 seconds left, Daniels connected with wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a 32-yard touchdown pass, putting the Commanders in front.
Washington then maintained its lead and ran down the clock on the next possession. Cornerback Rasul Douglas intercepted a pass from quarterback J.J. McCarthy that was intended for Malik Nabers, ending the Giants’ chance to respond.
McDermott’s comments turned Winston’s unconventional cadence into a lighthearted talking point after the game. The attempt was meant to create an opening in a crucial situation, but the Commanders remained composed. Instead of drawing a defensive penalty, the Giants lost time and were forced to give the ball back.
