The Washington Commanders outlasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 Jan. 12 to advance to the divisional round of the NFL playoffs, putting them one step closer to the Super Bowl.
The Commanders traveled to Tampa Bay, Fla., to face off against the Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs, as they started their road to the 2025 Super Bowl in their first playoff appearance since 2020, also against the Buccaneers. On the other hand, the Buccaneers are coming off five straight playoff appearances, holding a 6-3 record in those years, with a Super Bowl win in 2020.
Coincidentally, the Commanders’ last playoff win was in 2005 at Tampa Bay.
Both teams had incredible seasons, with the Commanders, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, bouncing back from a 4-13 record last season to achieve a stellar 12-5 record, the team’s best since 1991. The Buccaneers finished the regular season 10-7 with a third-ranked total offense carried by quarterback Baker Mayfield and the team’s passing game. The Buccaneers entered the game at -165 odds to win according to ESPN Analytics, placing them at a 58.8% chance of winning.
While rookie sensation Daniels was a keystone of the matchup, the true battle to watch was between Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore and Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, two of the best players in the league in their respective positions. The two have played 14 matchups against each other, most of which resulted in fights, aggression and emotion.
Despite the overwhelming success of the two offenses, the first quarter was a defensive battle, with a field goal from kicker Chase McLaughlin putting up the only score as part of the Buccaneers’ opening drive. The drought for both teams continued until the beginning of the second quarter, when Daniels marched the Commanders 92 yards down the field in 17 plays, ending the drive with a touchdown catch by wide receiver Dyami Brown in the back of the endzone to take a lead. Kicker Zane Gonzalez followed the drive with a 52-yard field goal to extend the Commanders’ lead to seven.
The Buccaneers’ quiet offense turned up their game at the end of the half, with Mayfield dispatching strikes downfield to drive 74 yards, topping off the drive with a spectacular touchdown by Evans to tie the game 10-10 with only 10 seconds left in the half, leaving the Commanders to draw the clock directly into halftime. Despite the score, the Commanders offense recorded 22 more total offensive yards, more first downs with 11 total and significantly more possession time.
Entering the second half with a tied score, the Commanders looked to boost the odds in their direction with early points. They came out booming with big plays from Brown early on but came up short with only a field goal to take a three-point lead. The Buccaneers quickly answered as they advanced the ball downfield through the hands of Evans and the quickly heating up legs of running back Bucky Irving, whose receiving touchdown returned the lead to Tampa Bay.
The fourth quarter grew more competitive with each passing moment. Each team traded offensive blows, resulting in multiple lead changes. As the tide of the game looked like it could swing in the Buccaneers’ favor, a botched handoff by Mayfield resulted in a fumble recovered by Commanders captain and linebacker Bobby Wagner. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin then took a 20-17 lead for the Commanders with 10 minutes remaining with a stunning endzone grab.
With possession, the Buccaneers knew they needed a big drive for a chance to win the game and advance in the playoffs. Tampa Bay progressed down the field smoothly, converting multiple first downs and threatening the Commanders in their territory. As fans roared, the Commanders roared louder, tackling Irving for a 2-yard loss, forcing a field goal attempt to tie the game and leaving Washington just minutes to get the score needed to advance.
This was not unfamiliar territory for phenom Daniels and the Commanders’ offense, who have scored on five separate game-winning drives this season, one of which being the spectacular Hail Mary against the Bears in week eight. Daniels commanded Washington into the red zone with spectacular plays from running back Austin Ekeler and Brown. With less than a minute left, Daniels took a knee, allowing Gonzalez the opportunity to win the game and advance to the divisional round.
Gonzalez lined it up on the left hashes and kicked the ball, and as it sailed through the air, about to determine the fate of the two teams, it hit the upright and bounced through the sticks to give Washington a 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers, their first playoff win since 2006 and the first playoff win in many fans’ memories.
With their advancement to the divisional round of the playoffs, the Commanders are set to travel to Detroit, Mich., to face the first-seeded Lions (15-2) Jan. 18 for a chance to advance to the NFC Championship Game.