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2024 REWIND – Wild card round vs Buccaneers – Commanders beat Tampa Bay for first playoff win since ‘05 season

July 7, 2025 by Hogs Haven

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Jayden Daniels – 268 yards, 2 TD passes, 110.2 passer rating as Commanders dominate time of possession

A playoff game between Washington and Tampa Bay is nothing new. Washington’s most recent playoff appearance prior to last season had seen the Taylor Heinicke-led Washington Football Team host the wildcard Buccaneers at the end of the 2020 season in which Washington won the NFC East division title. Washington’s last playoff victory — at the end of the 2005 season — saw the 10-win NFC 2nd place and 6th-seeded Redskins beat the NFC South champion Bucs in Raymond James Stadium by a score of 17-0.

2024 Statistical Comparison


From the standpoint of team statistics, it is clear that this was a matchup of two of the league’s best offenses, with both teams having put up a lot of yards and a lot of points per game. The most notable difference was that the Bucs had the 3rd ranked passing offense at 250.4 yards per game, while Washington ranked 17th at 215.6 yards per game. Both teams averaged about 64.5 plays per game, so the Bucs had been a bit more efficient in accumulating yards, and had scored one more point per game on average.

The contrast was more apparent with respect to rushing and passing defense. The Commanders were in the bottom-3 teams in rush yards allowed, while the Buccaneers ranked 4th. Conversely, Tampa Bay was 4th-worst in the league with respect to pass yards allowed per game, while Washington ranked 3rd overall.

This appeared to be a good matchup of strong offenses opposing inconsistent defenses.

Defensively, Todd Bowles is known as an aggressive coach who will attack a quarterback with pressure. Pro Football Reference ranked the Buccaneers #2 in the NFL in blitz rate behind the Minnesota Vikings, and Tampa’s 44.7% Pressure Rate when sending five or more was 12th in the NFL.

However, some of TB’s simulated pressures — where they look like they’re blitzing only to drop someone — hadn’t really been been completely successful in 2024. When only sending four, the TB defensive pressure rate dropped to 32.6%. The inconsistency in their sim pressures in the regular season had led to a lot of problems in their passing game defense, problems that could be exploited by a QB who was a good processor or one with good mobility and elusiveness.

As we know, Jayden Daniels is both, and he led the NFL in ‘24 in number of scrambles (75) and rushing yards by a quarterback (891).

Probably the most noticeable change for the Commanders offense from early- to late-season had been in the red zone attack.

  • Washington gave the ball to the running backs in the red zone more than 8 times per game in 5 of the team’s first 9 games; in the eight games that followed, the running backs had gotten the ball more than six times in a game only twice.
  • The ball went to TEs & WRs in the red zone only 26 times (total) in the first nine games. In the final eight games, the TEs and WRs got the ball 33 times — including 11 times in the final two games.

Washington had shifted from a running team to a passing team in “winning time moments”, with the exception of quarterback scrambles.

This transition seemed likely to pay dividends against a Buccaneers defense that was rock-solid against running backs, but more vulnerable to passing attacks and mobile quarterbacks. By the end of the game, Commanders running backs had carried the ball only 20 times for 44 yards, though Jayden Daniels added 36 rushing yards on 13 carries.

Health

Both teams appeared to be about as close to full strength as any team is likely to be at the end of a 17-game season.

The key Tampa Bay player with injury news was safety Antoine Winfield, who had been out since suffering a knee sprain in Week 14. Winfield returned for the wildcard playoff game. Safety Jordan Whitehead, however, remained unavailable after injuries sustained in a recent car crash.

Of course, Tampa Bay had lost WR Chris Godwin, who played well against Washington in Week 1, around mid-season due to a dislocated ankle, but rookie receiver Jalen McMillan had stepped up in his stead and had put up at least 50 yards and a touchdown in each of the prior 5 games, with a total of 316 yards and 7 touchdowns from Weeks 14-18. He had also scored a touchdown on his first NFL reception, which came against the Commanders in Week 1.

Two players of key importance to Washington were center Tyler Biadasz and CB Marshon Lattimore. Biadasz missed two full games and parts of others with injuries this season. He had been replaced by Michael Deiter, who appeared to be unable to call protections or block — two key responsibilities of an NFL center. There had been reports that Biadasz was “close” to being ready to play against Dallas, though he ended up being inactive for the game. He played in every playoff game in January.

Marshon Lattimore also played against Tampa Bay. He had played less than 2 full games in a Commanders uniform in the regular season, but, as a former member of the New Orleans Saints, he was well-acquainted with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ‘old friends’ with WR Mike Evans. Over the years, the two had battled repeatedly and often viciously.

In this game, Mike Evans ended up getting the best of the Commanders defense, catching 7 passes for 92 yards and a TD, while Lattimore was called for a DPI penalty in the red zone on a Buccaneers touchdown drive.

Week 1

Every Commanders fan will be aware that the ‘24 season opened up with a road loss to these Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A lot had changed since then. On the TB side, one of the biggest positive developments had probably been the play of rookie running back Bucky Irving, who had three 100+ yard games in the prior five in which he’d gotten at least 5 rushing attempts; he had also run for 89 yards the week before against the Saints. Prior to Week 9, he’d had only one game with more than 70 rushing yards. It was expected that Washington might struggle to contain him. Irving finished the game with 17 carries for 77 yards but no touchdowns, with 6 yards on 2 pass receptions, including one receiving TD.

Mayfield’s primary struggle in ‘24 had been turnovers. Baker had thrown 16 interceptions in the regular season (2nd-most of his career), and had been charged with a career high 13 fumbles. It seemed as if Washington might be able pressure the Bucs’ QB and force turnovers that could help win the game. In the end, Mayfield did not throw any interceptions, but he was charged with a 4th quarter fumble in the red zone that was instrumental in Washington’s victory.

For the Commanders offensively, the major change from Week 1 had simply been the development of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had progressed exponentially in 18 weeks. Related to his development was the renaissance of Terry McLaurin in the offense. You’ll recall that Terry opened the season with 17 yards in Week 1 and 22 yards in Week 2. Despite that abysmal start, McLaurin finished the regular season with 1,096 receiving yards and a franchise-record 13 receiving touchdowns.

The Washington offense that was held to 20 points by the Buccaneers in the season opener seemed to have the potential to look very different in this playoff game. Ultimately, however, the Bucs defense held Washington to 23 points although the Commanders never punted. Washington had only 7 drives (excluding an end-of-half kneeldown) and scored on 5 of them, so the limited scoring for both teams was more a matter of game flow than ineffective offense.

Defensively, the big change had taken place at cornerback. Recall that, in Week 1, the starting corners were Benjamin St-Juste and Emmanuel Forbes. The latter was released mid-season and replaced by rookie Mikey Sainristil, who had followed a development trajectory that partly paralleled that of teammate Jayden Daniels. St-Juste remained on the team, but his starting job had gone to Marshon Lattimore whenever the ex-Saint had been healthy, and St-Juste has been supplanted at least twice during the regular season by Michael Davis, who was no great secondary player himself. The Commanders would start Lattimore and Sainristil, with Noah Igbinoghene playing the nickel slot position, in theory, allowing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr to challenge the Bucs more significantly than he was able to in the first meeting in September.

In this ‘win or go home’ playoff game, it looked like two well-matched teams that featured highly productive offenses paired with inconsistent defenses. It was expected to be an exciting Sunday Night Football game, and it ended up being the only truly competitive game of the wildcard weekend.


First Quarter

Buccaneers open the scoring with a field goal
Mike Evans earned a first down against Marshon Lattimore on the first play of the game, but the defense allowed just 1 yard on the next two plays to bring up 3rd & 9 from the 42-yard line, which Mayfield converted by hitting Mike Evans for 23 yards.

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 7 at the Washington 32 yard line, and an incomplete pass to McMillan deep to the right into triple coverage brought on the field goal team.

Chase McLaughlin drilled the field goal to open the scoring. 3-0 in favor of the home team. The scoring drive covered 36 yards in 8 plays.

Washington turns the ball over on downs at the Tampa Bay 20-yard-line
The Commanders started their first offensive drive of the game at the 33-yard line following a return by Luke McCaffrey.

Washington opened with a throw-away from Daniels under pressure, followed by a run by Brian Robinson to bring up 3rd & 6. On the money down, Daniels, out of a 2-back set, hit Terry McLaurin for 35 yards down the left sideline to the TB 28-yard line on a throw that hit Terry in-stride under tight coverage.

Terry chants in TB… this catch is deserving ️

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/FGniUPcHDw

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 2 following an 8-yard scramble to the right by JD5. On 3rd down at the 20-yard line, Daniels scrambled left for no gain, tackled by Lavonte David a the sideline.

That hustle 34-year-old Lavonte David keeps the rookie Daniels from breaking the line of scrimmage

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/vX1Uq2VlYV

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

On 4th down, Daniels dirted the ball on a pass play that had no one open, turning the ball over on downs.

Tampa has 80 yards of grass between the line of scrimmage and the goal line with 07:45 remaining in the fist quarter.

Buccaneers forced to punt
TB picked up two first downs on the next three plays to reach the 48-yard line.

The Bucs earned 2 yards on two runs by Bucky Irving to bring up 3rd & 8 at midfield. On 3rd down, Baker Mayfield was under pressure and scrambled for a yard. The Commanders defense had held to force a punt.

Commanders take the lead
Following a fair catch by Jamison Crowder, Washington took the field at the 8-yard line for their second drive with 03:34 left in the first quarter.

After a pair of short pass completions, it was 3rd & 6 at the 12-yard line. Daniels scrambled right through the end zone before finding Zach Ertz for 9 yards and a first down.

“No…no…no… PHEW YES”

Me watching Jayden Daniels get chased in his own endzone.

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T01:43:35.187Z

A 16-yard completion to Scary Terry moved the chains again.

A run by Brian Robinson followed by a 12-yard gain on a quick screen to Austin Ekeler brought the first quarter to an end with Washington at the TB 45-yard line, 1st & 10.

Second Quarter

Following another first down, Washington earned 7 yards on the next two plays to bring up 3rd & 3 at the 35-yard line. On 3rd down, Jayden Daniels went to the right sideline on a called QB run and got blown up by Zion McCollum, who sent Jayden flying.

Jayden Daniels took a SHOT at the end of this run.

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T01:50:33.104Z

Dan Quinn kept his offense on the field on 4th & 1; Daniels handed the ball to Austin Ekeler up the middle for a gain of 2 yards — first down Washington at the Tampa 21-yard line. The drive has lasted 11 plays already.

Austin Ekeler converts on 4th and 1, and the #Commanders offense stays on the field.

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T01:52:03.351Z

Two plays later, Washington faced 3d & 3 at the 11-yard line. On the key 3rd down play, Daniels found Zaccheaus on a quick slant on the left side of the field for 6 yards to bring up 1st & goal.

Two well-defended running plays resulted in a loss of 2 yards. On the 17th play of the drive, Daniels, with solid protection, took his time and found Dyami Brown in the middle of the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. With the PAT, the score was 7-3 with 09:26 left in the half. The scoring play covered 92 yards in 17 plays, taking more than 9 minutes off the clock.

Dyami Brown wide open in the back of the end zone! TD @Commanders!

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ZUyUbswAte

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Commanders force a 3 & out
A penalty on 2nd down for an illegal block pushed the Bucs back 15 yards to force 2nd & 24 at their own 16-yard line. On the subsequent play, a holding call was declined by Washington, bringing up 3rd & 22 at the 18-yard line. A short pass completion wasn’t enough, and the Commanders had forced a 3 & out and the second punt of the game for the Bucs.

Jeremy Chinn with a nice PBU against Mike Evans.

No easy yards tonight.

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T02:03:10.765Z

Commanders add to their lead
Washington’s advanced the ball quickly to 1st & 10 at the TB 49-yard line, and then Jayden Daniels scrambled up the middle for 5 yard gain. At this point, Jayden was Washington’s leading rusher, with 8 carries for 31 yards. He would end the game as the Commander’s top rusher. Ekeler and Robinson have so far combined for 7 carries for 27 yards. They would finish the game with 43 combined yards.

On a 3rd & 4 play from the 42-yard line, it appeared as if the Buccaneers had sacked Daniels for a 9-yard loss, but a defensive holding call moved the ball to the 37-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

On a key play from the Tampa Bay 36-yard line. Daniels dropped back on 3rd down and tried to hit Terry McLaurin at the 2-yard line on the sideline, but outstanding coverage from McCollum saw the pass broken up as Terry tried twice to catch the ball, but couldn’t make it happen.

SO CLOSE

And the fact this was close at all is insane.

That was TIGHT coverage.

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T02:16:15.800Z

That play brought the game to the 2-minute warning.

Facing 4th & 6 coming out of the time out, Dan Quinn decided to send Zane Gonzalez out for a 52-yard field goal attempt. The kicker drilled it to open up the lead. Now 10-3 Commanders. The scoring drive covered 37 yards in 11 plays.

The Bucs got the ball at the 26-yard line with 01:46 on the clock hoping to score again before halftime.

Tampa Bay drives 74 yards to tie the game just before halftime
Interestingly, Rachaad White was in the game instead of Bucky Irving; he was held to a yard on 1st down, followed by an incomplete pass by Baker Mayfield under pressure. On 3rd & 9, Baker Mayfield scrambled up the middle for an aggressive run that included broken tackles for 18 yards and a first down.

My goodness, Baker

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/zc9obQUHJW

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

The Bucs earned three more 1st downs with 3 passes (2 to Evans, 1 to Otten), and TB had 1st & 10 at the Washington 12-yard line. This had been a lightning-fast swing in momentum.

With 00:17 on the clock, Tampa Bay had a chance to tie up the game before halftime with one time out in hand.

1st down – Defensive pass interference call on Marshon Lattimore in the end zone vs Mike Evans

Yeah, that is DPI.

Damn it.

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T02:28:35.991Z

1st & goal – Touchdown pass to Evans on a quick slant

Advantage, @MikeEvans13_

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/VObKER8chP

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

With the PAT, the score was all tied up at 10-10. The scoring drive covered 74 yards in 7 plays.

The half came to an end with a kickoff and a kneeldown.

Washington would get the ball to open the second half.

Knotted up at the half #WASvsTB | #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/rHGYlGOksK

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 13, 2025

Halftime Stats



Statistics via ESPN

Third Quarter

At halftime, each team is led in rushing yards by its quarterback. It should be an interesting second half.

Washington scores a field goal at the end of a 10-play drive
After a pass completion and a 1-yard run, Washington faced 3rd & 1. Marcus Mariota came on the field and ran a QB sneak with Daniels lined up at running back, earning the first down.

now at RB: @JayD__5

#WASvsTB @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/7loBUAP9Zz

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 13, 2025

Two plays later, JD5 scrambled right before finding Dyami Brown downfield for a catch & run of 30 yards. What a play!

Oooueeee.

Lots going on here;

– Jayden steps up to avoid the pressure
– Throws on the run
– Dyami wide open
– Trucks the DB for extra yards

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T02:48:52.372Z

The next play went to Dyami Brown on a dump off pass that went for 24 more yards to the TB 3 yard line.

Where were you when Dyami Brown became the NFL’s best receiver?

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T02:49:46.803Z

Robinson was stuffed for a 1-yd loss on first down. Daniels threw the ball away on a sprint right on 2nd down. On 3rd & goal from the 4-yard line, Terry McLaurin was tightly covered by Jamel Dean, who broke up the pass play to force a field goal attempt.

Gonzalez hit the 22-yard kick to re-take the lead, 13-10. The scoring drive covered 66 yards in 10 plays.

Bucs score a touchdown to re-take the lead
Washington played well on 1st down until a facemask penalty on a reach by Dorance Armstrong. It was only Washington’s 2nd accepted penalty of the night (Lattimore DPI), but both had been big.

On a key 3rd down play near midfield, Baker found Mike Evans across the middle for a catch and run of 18 yards. Evans was having a big game; he had 6 catches for 84 yards and a TD, plus a big DPI call forced.

Following a first down and then a pre-snap penalty, it was 1st & 15 at Washington’s 18- yard line. Two good runs by Irving gave his team 1st & goal at the 2-yard line. Running the hurry up offense, TB lost 3 yards on a run by Irving on 1st down.

2nd & goal – McMillan caught a pass out of bounds, but a penalty against Washington for defensive holding made it 1st & goal at the 2-yard line.

1st & goal – Mayfield sacked for 2-yard loss.

2nd & goal – Touchdown to Bucky Irving on a pass from Mayfield.

Bucky gives the @Buccaneers the lead!

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/OprJPhBa6m

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Following the extra point, Tampa Bay led the game 17-13 with 04:31 left in the half. The scoring drive covered 72 yards in 16 plays.

Commanders turn the ball over on downs (again) after a 12-play drive
After a called QB run for 6 yards on first down, Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for 17-yards at the Tampa Bay 42-yard line on 2nd down. Jamel Dean was shaken up on the play (knee) and went to the medical tent.

Anyone else get Trea Turner slide vibes from Terry McLaurin here?

#RaiseHail

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T03:10:30.180Z

On a play action pass on 2nd down, Daniels hit McLaurin for a 26-yard completion, but the gain was wiped out by a penalty for ineligible player downfield. OZ picked up 5 yards on the next play to bring up 3rd & 5. An incomplete pass on the next play with the blitz coming forced a 4th down, and Dan Quinn kept his offense on the field.

On 4th & 6 at the 37-yard line, Daniels hit Zach Ertz for a 14-yard gain in the middle of the field.

Jayden finds Ertz for a huge conversion on 4th and 5 ⛓️

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/IDEIyvF7uy

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

The third quarter ended with Washington facing 3rd & 10 at the Tampa Bay 23-yard line. We’ve got a fun game heading into the final quarter!

Fourth Quarter

Daniels opened the final quarter with a 20+ yard pass into the end zone, targeting Dyami Brown. Zion McCollum was called for DPI in the end zone, giving Washington 1s & goal at the 1-yard line.

The Commanders lost 2 yards on 2 plays to bring up 3rd & goal at the 3 yard line. On the money down, Dion Jones broke up a pass, looking like he had a good chance for the interception.

CALIJAH KANCEY IS A BRICK WALL

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/CV53I6ttqS

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Dan Quinn decided to forgo the field goal, going instead for the touchdown to take the lead. On the play, Daniels missed a well-covered Zach Ertz, who appeared to be interfered with, to give the ball back to TB with 97 yards of green grass in front of them.

.@Buccaneers goal line stand ‼️

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/5wGEbtMP9a

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

I can’t fathom that an NFL referee STARED RIGHT AT THIS and didn’t throw a flag for DPI.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/8rmba7dEaL

— Tae & Todd Commanders Podcast (@TaeNToddPodcast) January 13, 2025

Baker Mayfield is charged with the game’s only turnover
Tampa Bay’s offense took the field with a 4-point lead with about 14 minutes on the clock. The Commanders, who had passed on a pair of field goal attempts, turning the ball over on downs twice in the game, will need the defense to step up.

Two plays later, the defense seemed to be doing its job, forcing 3rd & 7 at the 7 yard line. but then allowed a pass completion and a reach across the line to gain by Mike Evans to gain 8 yards and a fresh set of downs.

Mike Evans situational awareness Big stretch for the 1st down

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/JL6M5YRyI5

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

On the next play, the defense came up HUGE, with a takeaway!!!

Baker Mayfield and the running back couldn’t make the exchange, and Bobby Wagner jumped on a loose ball for the first (and only) sudden-change of the game.

CHAOS! Baker loses the ball and it’s @Commanders ball in the red zone

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/0Oq5lmBhsF

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

It’s 1st & 10 at the Tampa Bay 13-yard.

Commanders offense strikes quickly!
Two plays later, Washington faced 3rd & 6 at the 9-yard line. On 3rd down, Daniels hit Austin Ekeler at the 5-yard line. The ball came loose, but the play was dead due to forward progress. Having been stopped twice on 4th down in the red zone, Dan Quinn decided that the third time would be the charm. He decided to go for it again!

And…he was right!

Jayden Daniels — stop me if you’ve heard this one before — hit Terry McLaurin for a 5-yard touchdown in the middle of the end zone!! The offensive line gave JD5 the time he needed on the play and Terry ran a very nice route. These two are money in the bank.

Scary Terry loose in the end zone

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/H8Ex2Eq9Qc

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Following the PAT, the Commanders led the game again, 20-17. The scoring drive that followed the fumble recovery covered 13 yards in 4 plays.

With 09:46 on the clock, Washington kicked off again. Tampa Bay’s offense started its next drive at the 25-yard line.

The Bucs and Commanders end the game with a pair of field goals
Tampa Bay: Disaster for the Commanders on first down as Baker Mayfield hit McMillan downfield for a 26-yard gain.

Across midfield now, Bucky Irving carried the ball for 6 and then Mayfield was tackled for a short gain to force 3rd & 2. On the third down play, Mayfield found Otten for an easy catch & run that went for 20 yards and a fresh set of downs at Washington’s 21-yard line.

A stop on 2nd & 1 forced the third-down play at the 12-yard line. On 3rd down, Irving was brought down for a loss of 2 yards on a play that looked initially like an offsides penalty against Washington, but which turned out to be a snap on the wrong count by Tampa Bay’s center.

This botched snap brings up the Field Goal attempt for Tampa Bay

— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2025-01-13T03:43:33.981Z

The Bucs kicked the 32-yard field goal to tie the score, 20-20 with 04:41 left on the clock.

Washington: Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense would get the ball back with an opportunity to add a playoff 4th-quarter game-winning drive to the resume.

Following the kickoff, the Commanders took the field at the 30-yard line. They can take the lead — and possibly win the game — with a field goal or touchdown if they can burn enough clock before scoring. What they can’t afford to do is to give the ball back to Baker Mayfield and the TB offense with a lead in hand.

After a completed pass and an unsuccessful run by Robinson, Washington faced 3rd & 6 at the 34-yard line.

Jayden Danels, with plenty of time facing a 3-man rush and 2 “spies”, hit Dyami Brown, the team’s leading receiver tonight, for a 21-yard gain!

The final play before the two-minute warning was a run by Austin Ekeler for no gain.

After the timeout, Washington faced 2nd & 10 at the Tampa 45-yard line with two timeouts in hand. This game has been everything promised.

On the subsequent play, Daniels hit Austin Ekeler for a catch & run that went for 18 yards. Tampa used a time out.

Washington has 1st & 10 at the 27-yard line.

Ekeler gained 8 yards running up the middle and the clock kept running. On 2nd & 2 with 59 seconds on the clock, Ekeler ran for another yard.

On 3rd & 2 at the 19 with 55 ticks on the clock, it felt like Washington could ice the game and its first playoff win in 19 years with a first-down conversion followed by a walk-off score.

With the potential play of the game, Kliff Kingsbury called Marcus Mariota’s number again. Last time he had been on the field, he’d run a sneak. This time, he tried to draw the defense offsides with a hard count. When it didn’t work, Quinn burned his 2nd timeout.

When play re-started, Jayden Daniels kept the ball around the right end and dived across the line to gain for a huge first down!!

Jayden takes it himself!! 1st down and in FG range with less than :40 to go

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/YFb1x4TrHq

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

You could hear the “MVP…MVP…MVP” chants start up among the Commanders fans in the stands.

Daniels took a knee on the left hash mark, Dan Quinn called time out with 7 seconds left on the clock, and Zane Gonzalez came on the field, fussing with his hair before putting on his helmet, facing 2nd & 14 and a 3-yard field goal.

He doinked the ball off the right upright.

A DOINK TO THE DIVISIONAL ROUND!!!! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/TRwyX11zcZ

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

BUT THE KICK WAS GOOD!!!

The Commanders were going to Detroit!!

Washington Commanders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game Highlights | Wild Card NFL 2024 Season

Full Game Stats



Statistics via ESPN

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