This game will forever be known as the “Divisional Doink” for the Washington commanderswhen Zane Gonzalez’s field goal to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in the Wild Card Round got a little help from the goal post.
Getting the ball with 4:41 to play in the fourth quarter after the Bucs tied it with a field goal at 20 apiece, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense was methodical with their drives, knowing that burning the right amount of clock could end in a game-winning field goal at the buzzer.
There were a few crucial plays on the drive to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Dyami Brown, who scored the game’s first touchdown, for a 21-yard run on 3rd and 6 to maintain possession of the ball. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels was able to run 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 teammates after scoring the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
When Gonzalez stepped into that kick from 37 yards out, it immediately started going right, and every Bucs fan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay hoped the uprights wouldn’t split. But when it sounded off the right goal post it was through for the three points and the victory to advance to the Divisional Round.
This is Washington’s first playoff win since 2005, and it came on the back of another gutsy performance from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels solidified his role as the team’s franchise quarterback with a stellar regular season, but he didn’t succumb to the pressure of the road playoffs against a Bucs team that was destroying the league. Philadelphia Eagles on their home turf, just a season ago, in the same round.
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However, Daniels was calm and collected, going 24-for-35 for 268 yards with two touchdown passes, including one to Terry McLaurin, which came quite easily after the most crucial moment of the game.
The Bucs defense got a fantastic fourth-and-goal stop to turn the Commanders around from a loss 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 wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Jan. 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 capitalize on another red zone trip on the ensuing drive, opting to tie the game on fourth-and-3 from Washington’s 14-yard line. But thanks to Daniels and his offense, they wouldn’t see the ball again.
Mayfield was just 15-for-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 as part of 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 wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
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The Commanders will have a tough task in the Divisional Round as they will be heading to Detroit to take on the No. 1 seed Lions as their No. 6 seed is lower than the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and No. .5 Minnesota Vikings. , who will play the final wild card game on Monday evening.
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