This game will forever be known as the “Divisional Doink” for the Washington Commanders, as Zane Gonzalez’s basket to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, 23-20, received some assist from the goal post.
Getting the ball back with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter after the Bucs tied it with a field goal at 20 apiece, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders’ offense were methodical with their drive, knowing that burning down the clock could end it. in a winning basket at the buzzer.
There were some crucial plays on the drive to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Dyami Brown, who scored the first touchdown of the game, for a 21-yarder on 3rd-and-6 to continue possession of the ball. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels managed to run for four yards on third-and-2 from the Tampa Bay 19-yard line, icing the chance to end the game.
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Washington Commanders place kicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by his teammates after scoring the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of a playoff football game in the NFL in Tampa, Florida on Sunday, January 12. 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
When Gonzalez launched that kick from 37 yards out, he immediately started heading to the right, and every Bucs fan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay was hoping it wouldn’t break the uprights. But when it rang on the right post, he took all three points and the victory to advance to the divisional round.
This is Washington’s first playoff victory since 2005, and it came off another gutsy performance from the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels solidified his role as the team’s franchise quarterback with a terrific regular season, but he didn’t buckle under playoff pressure on the road against a Bucs team that demolished the Philadelphia Eagles on their own field barely a season ago in the same round.
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Daniels, however, was calm and collected, going 24 of 35 for 268 yards with two touchdown passes, including one to Terry McLaurin that came after quite easily the most crucial moment of the game.
The Bucs defense got a fantastic fourth-and-goal stop to topple the Commanders at their own three-yard line. But just four plays later, Baker Mayfield botched what appeared to be a fake handoff to rookie receiver Jalen McMillan. The ball hit McMillan’s arm and fell to the ground.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, fumbles the ball, which was recovered by Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, during the second half of an NFL playoff football game at Tampa, Florida, Sunday, January 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
It was the Commanders who recovered at the Tampa Bay 11-yard line, and Daniels made the Bucs pay with a five-yard pass to McLaurin on fourth-and-2 to take the lead.
The Bucs were unable to take advantage of another trip to the red zone on the ensuing drive, opting to kick a game-tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from the Washington 14-yard line. But they wouldn’t see the ball again thanks to Daniels and his offense.
Mayfield was just 15 of 18 for 185 yards with two touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries. Mike Evans had the team’s first touchdown on his seven-catch, 92-yard day.
Meanwhile, Brown and McLaurin each had 89 receiving yards on the night.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
The Commanders will have a tough task in the divisional round, as they will travel to Detroit to face the No. 1 seed Lions, as their No. 6 seed is lower than the No. 6 seed Los Angeles Rams. #4, and the Minnesota Vikings, #5. , who play the last wild card match on Monday evening.
