Jayden Daniels guides Washington Commanders to a playoff victory

 

  

 

Jayden Daniels ran for a pivotal first down, setting up Zane Gonzalez's dramatic 37-yard field goal that bounced off the right upright and went through as time expired, sealing a 23-20 win for the Washington Commanders over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round. The victory marked the Commanders' first playoff triumph in 6,945 days.  

Playing with a bandage under his right eye after a bloody injury, Daniels became the third rookie quarterback in three seasons to win a playoff game. He threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy in this recent trend of rookie postseason success.  

"It means a lot," Daniels said in his postgame interview on NBC. "Our fans have waited a long time for this. I’m so happy we could deliver for them."  

The Commanders (13-5) now advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Lions (15-2) and their explosive offense in the divisional round.  

Game Highlights

The Buccaneers (10-8), led by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, missed key opportunities, including a crucial turnover in the fourth quarter. After failing to convert on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 from the Commanders’ 12-yard line, Tampa Bay settled for a field goal to tie the game at 20-20.  

Daniels orchestrated a methodical final drive, capped by his third-and-2 scramble that allowed Washington to drain the clock before Gonzalez's game-winning kick.  

"He came in humble, does the work, and has fun," Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner said of Daniels. "Playing with him makes it all the more special."  

A Historic Season for Washington

Washington’s postseason win was its first since a wild-card victory over Tampa Bay on Jan. 7, 2006. The team has come a long way from last year’s 4-13 record, with Daniels leading the charge as a Pro Bowler in his debut season.  

After Tampa Bay defeated the Commanders 37-20 in Week 1, Daniels and his team steadily improved, finishing the season 12-5.  

Turning Points

Clutch Moments:Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin for a fourth-and-2 touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Commanders a 20-17 lead.  
Buccaneers’ Missed Chances:** Mayfield fumbled a handoff early in the fourth quarter, leading to Washington's go-ahead score.  
Defensive Stands: Tampa Bay's defense held inside the 5-yard line multiple times, but Washington capitalized when it mattered most.  

Mayfield finished with two touchdown passes but also committed costly errors, including a sack on a trick play where 350-pound Vita Vea was the intended target.  

Looking Ahead  

Daniels and the Commanders will face Jared Goff and the Lions in a highly anticipated divisional matchup. With a mix of resilience and newfound momentum, Washington hopes to extend its improbable postseason run.  

For now, the Commanders and their fans are savoring a hard-earned win that ended nearly two decades of playoff frustration.