This game will forever be known as “Divisional Doink”. Washington leadersas Zane Gonzalez's field goal to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round, 23-20, got a little help from the goal post.
Getting the ball with 4:41 left to play in the fourth quarter after the Bucs tied it with a field goal at 20 apiece, Jayden Daniels The Commanders' offense was methodical in their drives, knowing that burning the right amount of clock could end in a game-winning field goal at the buzzer.
There were some crucial plays during the drive to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Demi Brown, who scored the game's first touchdown, for 21 yards on third-and-6 to continue to have possession of the ball. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels managed to run for four yards on third-and-2 from Tampa Bay's 19-yard line, setting up a game-ending opportunity.
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Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by his teammates after he kicks the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, 12 January, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
When Gonzalez made that kick from 37 yards out, it immediately started going right, and every Bucs fan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay was hoping it wouldn't split the goal posts. But when she rebounded from the right post, she succeeded in getting the three points and the victory to move to the divisional round.
This is Washington's first playoff win since 2005, and it came as a result of another gutsy performance by the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels cemented his role as the team's starting quarterback with a tremendous regular season, but he didn't back down under the pressure of the playoffs on the road against a Bucs demolition team. Philadelphia Eagles At home just a season ago in the same round.
The Eagles take on the Packers in the wild card round to advance to the NFL playoffs
Despite this, Daniels was calm and collected, going 24-for-35 for 268 yards with two touchdown passes, including one to Terry McLaurin that came after easily the most important moment of the game.
The Bucs defense got a great stop on fourth-and-goal to turn the leaders over on their own three-yard line. But just four plays later, Baker Mayfield fouled 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 quarterback Bobby Wagner, during the second half of an NFL playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday 12 January 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
It was the Commanders who recovered on Tampa Bay's 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 drive on the next drive, opting to kick the game-tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from Washington's 14-yard line. But they would never see the ball again thanks to Daniels and his offense.
Mayfield was just 15-for-18 for 185 yards with two touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries. Mike Evans caught the team's first touchdown as part of his 92-yard scoring 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)
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The Leaders will have a tough assignment in the divisional round, as they head to Detroit to face the No. 1 seed Lions as their No. 6 seed is lower than the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and No. 5 Minnesota Vikings. , which plays its final Wild Card game Monday night.
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