Winston’s ‘Who Let the Dogs Out?’ Count Fails in Giants Loss

New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston tried to draw the Washington Commanders offside with a sing-song hard count late in the fourth quarter, using the refrain “Who Let the Dogs Out?” The attempt failed, and the Giants lost 24-21 after Washington scored a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute.

Winston was under center on fourth-and-1 as New York led 21-17. He called out a series of counts, then sang the Baha Men refrain and repeated “who” sounds in an effort to prompt Washington’s defense to move early. The defenders did not jump, and the play clock ran out.

The Giants took a delay-of-game penalty and punted. Reports differ on the ball’s precise location before the snap: one places the play at Washington’s 12-yard line, while another puts it at the Giants’ own 11. The difference does not alter the reported sequence: the count did not draw a penalty, and New York punted.

Washington then drove for a touchdown in the final minute to take the lead. The Giants’ loss ended 24-21. In the closing moments, quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s Hail Mary pass was intercepted, according to game accounts.

After the game, Winston said he had tried the cadence once in practice because it “just had...