TAMPA, Fla. — The Washington Commanders have undergone significant changes, including new ownership, management, coaching staff, and a franchise quarterback. This overhaul seems to have paid off, as evidenced by their impressive playoff victory after years of struggle.
In an exciting NFC wild-card game, Jayden Daniels made a crucial play by rushing for a first down, setting up Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal that just grazed the right upright before sailing in as time expired. The Commanders secured a 23-20 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, marking their first playoff triumph in more than 19 years. Daniels, who played with a visible injury after a rough hit, became the third rookie quarterback in three seasons to lead his team to a playoff victory.
With this win, the Commanders, who finished the regular season with a record of 13-5, will advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Lions, boasting a 15-2 record, in the next round of the playoffs. “It means a lot, man,” Daniels expressed about the victory. “You could just see all the fans, they’ve been waiting a long time for this moment.”
The Buccaneers, led by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, struggled to capitalize on several opportunities throughout the game. A critical mistake came when Mayfield turned the ball over in the fourth quarter. After they failed to secure a yard on two attempts from the Commanders’ 12-yard line, they had to settle for a field goal to equalize the game right before Washington’s decisive final drive.
Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining the ranks of rookie quarterbacks who have won playoff games, alongside C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy. The Commanders had not experienced postseason success since their victory over the Buccaneers in a wild-card matchup on January 7, 2006.
The transformation of the Commanders started when Daniel Snyder sold the franchise in 2023 to a group led by Josh Harris, which includes NBA legend Magic Johnson. Subsequently, they brought in General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn, who made the pivotal choice to draft Daniels with the second overall pick.
Johnson praised the leadership changes and the players’ resolve, stating, “You gotta give Josh a lot of credit because we picked the right people. When you pick Adam Peters and coach Quinn, and they select the right players, the culture changes. We transitioned from a losing mindset to one focused on winning.”
This season, Daniels made an impressive debut against the Buccaneers, who won that initial matchup 37-20. Now, with a 12-5 record, he is looking to secure another victory, this time against the high-powered offense of Jared Goff and the Lions. “We’re going to keep fighting until the end,” Daniels promised.
As the game reached its climax, Tampa Bay’s defense initially held strong, keeping the Commanders from scoring. However, a fumbled exchange between Mayfield and running back Jalen McMillan handed possession back to Washington at the Buccaneers’ 13-yard line. On a crucial fourth-and-2 at the 5, Daniels connected with wide receiver Terry McLaurin for the go-ahead touchdown, bringing the score to 20-17 in favor of the Commanders.
Mayfield’s frustrations were evident following the loss. “It’s disappointing because I believe in this team; we have the talent and coaching staff to go far,” he admitted. Unfortunately, he made some costly mistakes that would weigh on him for the foreseeable future.
In the final minutes of the game, the Buccaneers managed to drive to a second-and-1 situation at the Commanders’ 12, but ultimately had to settle for a tying 32-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin. The Commanders then took control of the game, as Daniels displayed composure while leading a series of plays to set up the winning kick.
Daniels displayed impressive poise, especially after struggling on previous fourth-down attempts. As for Mayfield, he managed to throw touchdown passes, including one to Bucky Irving that gave his team a brief lead. Still, the Buccaneers were unable to maintain their momentum, falling behind after a series of missed opportunities.
In the end, injuries affected both teams, with the Commanders losing some key players during the game. However, Daniels was able to continue playing after receiving treatment for his injury.
With this victory, the Commanders are just one win away from reaching the NFC Championship game, whereas the Buccaneers will now begin their offseason preparations.
