The Washington Commanders made history Sunday night, overcoming a determined Tampa Bay Buccaneers team 23-20 in the NFC Wild Card round. Zane Gonzalez’s dramatic 37-yard field goal, which doink off the right upright and through as time expired, sealed Washington’s first playoff victory since January 7, 2006. The win ended a 6,945-day drought for the franchise and showcased the poise of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, delivered under immense pressure. Playing with a bandage beneath his right eye after being bloodied earlier, Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. His crucial 4-yard scramble on third-and-2 during Washington’s final drive allowed the Commanders to run down the clock and set up Gonzalez’s game-winning kick.
The victory sends the Commanders (13-5) to Detroit to face the NFC’s top seed, the 15-2 Lions, in the divisional round.
Washington’s success in this game mirrored its broader organizational turnaround. The once-beleaguered franchise underwent a complete overhaul in 2023 when Daniel Snyder sold the team to a group led by Josh Harris, NBA legend Magic Johnson, and other investors. The new regime brought in general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn, and their decision to draft Daniels has already paid dividends.
The rookie quarterback, selected to the Pro Bowl after leading Washington from a dismal 4-13 record in 2023 to a 12-5 regular-season campaign, continued to defy expectations in his playoff debut. His performance Sunday made him the third rookie quarterback in three years—joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy—to win a playoff game.
The Buccaneers (10-8), led by veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, had their chances but faltered at critical moments. After taking a 17-13 lead in the third quarter, Tampa Bay’s offense stalled repeatedly. Most notably, Mayfield fumbled an exchange with running back Jalen McMillan early in the fourth quarter, leading to a pivotal turnover at the Tampa Bay 13. Daniels capitalized on the mistake, finding Terry McLaurin in the back of the end zone on fourth-and-2 for a 20-17 lead.
Tampa Bay responded with a 32-yard Chase McLaughlin field goal to tie the game at 20-20 with 4:41 remaining, but the Buccaneers never regained possession. Mayfield, who threw for two touchdowns but also faced heavy pressure throughout the game, was unable to convert key opportunities, including a second-and-1 at the Commanders’ 12-yard line in the closing minutes.
The game’s turning point came during Washington’s final drive, as Daniels showcased his maturity and athleticism. On third-and-2 with under a minute remaining, he escaped pressure to scramble for a critical 4 yards. That play allowed the Commanders to control the clock and set up Gonzalez’s decisive field goal.
Earlier in the game, Washington benefited from a holding penalty on Tampa Bay cornerback Zyon McCollum, which nullified a sack by Yaya Diaby and extended a drive that ended with Gonzalez’s 50-yard field goal. Tampa Bay also saw its defense bend but not break on multiple occasions, including holding Washington to a field goal after a first-and-goal at the 3.
Washington’s victory not only broke its long postseason drought but also highlighted the effectiveness of its new leadership. Daniels’ ability to rise to the occasion in key moments bodes well for the future, and the Commanders’ dramatic improvement over the past year has energized their fanbase.
Up next, the Commanders face a daunting challenge in Detroit against the top-seeded Lions, who boast one of the league’s most potent offenses led by Jared Goff. The Lions had a bye this week and will look to build on their stellar 15-2 regular-season record.
For the Buccaneers, the offseason begins with questions about the future of Mayfield and how they can build on a 10-8 season that ended in heartbreak.
The Commanders are now one win away from the NFC Championship Game—a remarkable achievement for a franchise reborn.