Commanders Stun Buccaneers 23-20 for Long-Awaited Playoff Victory/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Washington Commanders clinched their first playoff win in nearly two decades, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in a thrilling NFC wild-card matchup. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning drive capped by Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal as time expired. The victory marks a turning point for the franchise under new ownership and leadership.
Commanders Triumph Over Buccaneers: Quick Looks
- Historic Win: Commanders end a 6,945-day playoff drought, last winning in 2006.
- Jayden Daniels Shines: Rookie QB throws for 268 yards, two TDs, and runs for a critical first down.
- Game-Winning Field Goal: Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yarder clanged off the upright but secured the win.
- Costly Turnovers: Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield’s fumble in the fourth quarter shifted momentum.
- Next Stop: Commanders face top-seeded Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
Commanders Stun Buccaneers 23-20 for Long-Awaited Playoff Victory
Deep Look
Ending a Long Playoff Drought
For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Washington Commanders celebrated a playoff victory. Under new owners and a revamped leadership team, the Commanders edged out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in a tense NFC wild-card game.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels played a pivotal role, throwing for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a bloodied face from an earlier hit, Daniels showed poise, leading a late-game drive to set up Zane Gonzalez’s winning 37-yard field goal as time expired.
“This means so much,” Daniels said postgame. “The fans have waited a long time for this moment, and I’m so happy for them.”
A Team Transformed
The Commanders’ turnaround began in 2023 when a group led by Josh Harris, including NBA legend Magic Johnson, purchased the team from Daniel Snyder. The new ownership hired General Manager Adam Peters, coach Dan Quinn, and selected Daniels as the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Magic Johnson praised the team’s cultural shift: “When you pick the right GM, the right coach, and the right quarterback, everything changes. The players decided they wanted to win, and tonight showed that.”
Game Recap: Key Moments
- First Half Battle: After a slow start, Daniels connected with Dyami Brown for a 10-yard touchdown, giving the Commanders a 7-3 lead. A holding call against Tampa Bay extended another drive, allowing Gonzalez to add a 50-yard field goal for a 10-3 advantage. The Buccaneers tied it late in the half with Baker Mayfield’s 1-yard TD pass to Mike Evans.
- Back-and-Forth Second Half: The Commanders regained the lead with a Gonzalez field goal but trailed 17-13 after Mayfield’s 4-yard TD pass to Bucky Irving. Daniels answered with a clutch 5-yard TD to Terry McLaurin, making it 20-17.
- Decisive Drive: With the game tied at 20-20 and under a minute left, Daniels converted a critical third-and-2 with a 4-yard scramble, setting up Gonzalez’s game-winning field goal.
Buccaneers’ Struggles
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers missed key opportunities throughout the game. A fumbled handoff in the fourth quarter gave the Commanders a short field, leading to McLaurin’s touchdown. Mayfield later drove Tampa Bay to the Washington 12-yard line but failed to convert a second-and-1, settling for a field goal instead of a potential game-winning touchdown.
“I did some dumb stuff, and it’ll wear on me for a while,” Mayfield said.
Commanders’ Resilience
Coach Dan Quinn’s bold decisions to go for it on fourth down twice in the game reflected the team’s aggressive mindset, though early failures nearly cost them. “We were going to be bold but not reckless,” Quinn said.
Daniels’ composure in the final moments and his ability to execute under pressure demonstrated why the rookie quarterback has been a game-changer for Washington.
Injuries
- Commanders: DT Daron Payne (finger), TE Ben Sinnott (shoulder), and LB Jordan Magee (hamstring) left the game. Daniels played through a facial gash that required bandaging.
- Buccaneers: DT Calijah Kancey was evaluated for a concussion and returned, while CB Jamel Dean left with a knee injury.
Looking Ahead
The Commanders (13-5) will travel to face the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions (15-2) in the divisional round. The Lions boast one of the league’s most potent offenses, led by quarterback Jared Goff.
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