This game will forever be known as the “Divisional Doink” for the Washington Commanders, as Zane Gonzalez's field goal, slightly helped by the goal post, won them 23-20, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round. .
After the Bucs tied the game with 20 field goals apiece, they took the ball away with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter, and Jaden Daniels and his command's offense could end after consuming the right amount of time. I drove around methodically knowing that there was a problem. As the buzzer sounded, he made the game-winning field goal.
There were several key plays on this drive that kept the game alive, including Daniels' 21-yard gain on 3rd-and-6 from Dyami Brown, who scored the first touchdown of the game, to keep possession of the ball. Ta. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels had a chance to end the game with a 4-yard run on third-and-two from Tampa Bay's own 19-yard line.
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Washington Commanders placekicker Zane Gonzalez is congratulated by his teammates after kicking the winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game on Sunday, January 12, in Tampa, Florida. (right). 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Gonzalez stepped in with the kick from 37 yards remaining, and the ball immediately started drifting to the right. Every Bucs fan in Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium was hoping the kick wouldn't crack the uprights. However, this shot hit the right goal post, earning them three points and advancing to the divisional round.
It was Washington's first playoff win since 2005, and it was another gutsy performance from the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels solidified his role as the team's quarterback with a phenomenal regular season, but he also faced playoff pressure while on the road with a Bucks team that crushed the Philadelphia Eagles at home in the same round just a season ago. I didn't give in.
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But Daniels remained calm, completing 24-of-35 for 268 yards and two touchdown passes, including one to Terry McLaurin, in the game's most important moment. succeeded with ease.
The Bucs defense made a great fourth-and-goal stop, turning the Commanders over on downs at their own 3-yard line. But just four plays later, Baker Mayfield fumbled what appeared to be a fake handoff to rookie receiver Jalen McMillan. The ball hit McMillan's arm and fell to the floor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (left) fumbles the ball during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game on Sunday, January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. was recovered by Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
The Commanders recovered at the Tampa Bay 11-yard line and took the lead with Daniels' 5-yard pass to McLaurin on fourth-and-2 to give the Bucs the win.
The Bucs failed to capitalize on another red zone move on their ensuing drive, opting to kick a game-tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from Washington's 14-yard line. But thanks to Daniels and his offense, they never saw the ball again.
Mayfield completed 15 of 18 for 185 yards and two touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries. Mike Evans scored the team's first touchdown as part of a day where he had seven catches for 92 yards.
Meanwhile, Brown and McLaurin each had 89 yards receiving on the night.
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, 5, makes a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game on Sunday, January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. Release. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
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Commanders will be given a tough task in the divisional round. They will head to Detroit to take on the top-seeded Lions. Their No. 6 seed is lower than the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and No. 5 Minnesota Vikings. , will play the final wild card game on Monday night.
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