Washington Commanders’ Late-Game Heroics Secure Playoff Victory Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In the world of sports, there are few things more thrilling than a nail-biting finish, and the Washington Commanders have become masters of this art. This season, they have consistently demonstrated their ability to win close games, proving that they are ahead of schedule in their development. The Commanders, who improved their record by eight wins compared to last year, clinched a dramatic victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 37-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez, securing their first playoff win since 2005.
Coach Dan Quinn has emphasized the importance of “winning moments,” and it seems to be paying off. He has focused more on late-game situations in practice than ever before, and the results speak for themselves. The Commanders ended the regular season with five consecutive wins, three of which were decided on the final play. This knack for clutch performances has been a hallmark of their season.
Earlier in the year, Washington pulled off a stunning victory over the Chicago Bears with a 52-yard Hail Mary pass at the buzzer and defeated the New York Giants in Week 2 with a last-second field goal. This remarkable turnaround from a 4-13 record last season to a 12-5 finish in Quinn’s first year is a testament to their resilience and determination.
Quarterback Jayden Daniels played a pivotal role in Sunday’s win, showcasing his poise and skill. The Washington defense also stepped up, limiting the Buccaneers’ high-powered offense to just 284 yards.
Washington Commanders
Pivotal play: The Commanders’ decision to go for it on fourth down from the Tampa 5-yard line with 9:46 left in the game was a game-changer. Despite a previous failure on a fourth-and-goal from the 3, Daniels connected with receiver Terry McLaurin for a touchdown, giving Washington a 20-17 lead. This marked McLaurin’s 11th red zone touchdown catch of the season, matching his total from his first five years combined. The drive was set up by linebacker Bobby Wagner‘s fumble recovery at the Tampa 13.
QB breakdown: Daniels, in his first playoff game, looked anything but a rookie. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 36 yards on 13 carries. His ability to keep his eyes downfield while scrambling was a significant improvement from the season opener against Tampa, resulting in crucial plays like a 9-yard completion to tight end Zach Ertz on a third-and-6 from their own 12-yard line.
Troubling trend: Cornerback Marshon Lattimore has struggled against top-tier receivers since joining Washington from New Orleans. He was flagged for multiple pass interference penalties against Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Tampa’s Mike Evans. Evans consistently found openings against Lattimore, who has been hampered by left hamstring issues, playing in just two games since October 27. — John Keim
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers had a chance to seize control of the game but opted for a conservative approach. With 4:45 remaining, they faced a fourth-and-3 at the Washington 14-yard line and chose to kick a tying field goal, making it 20-20. ESPN Analytics suggested a higher win probability if they had gone for it, with a 57.4% chance to convert and a 46.1% win probability, compared to a 43.6% win probability with a field goal.
After tying the game, Washington orchestrated a series of chunk pass plays, consuming valuable clock time and setting up the game-winning field goal.
- Pivotal play: Following a goal-line stand that preserved their 17-13 lead, Baker Mayfield fumbled a handoff, leading to a recovery by Commanders linebacker Wagner at the Tampa Bay 13. Daniels capitalized on the opportunity, connecting with McLaurin to retake the lead 20-17 with 9:46 remaining. This marked the first time in six games that the Bucs allowed a second-half touchdown.
- Biggest hole in the game plan: The Bucs’ defense struggled to get off the field, allowing the Commanders to convert 8-of-15 third downs. Their zone defense was vulnerable to plays across the field, including a 30-yard reception by Dyami Brown, and in-routes, such as Brown’s 10-yard touchdown and McLaurin’s 17- and 18-yard receptions. Penalties also plagued the Bucs, with seven for 65 yards.
- Most surprising performance: The matchup between Evans and Lattimore is usually tightly contested, but Evans dominated this time. He caught all five targets with Lattimore as the nearest defender for 73 yards and a touchdown, marking his second-highest receiving total against Lattimore. Evans finished the night with seven receptions for 92 yards. — Jenna Laine
Originally Written by: John Keim,Jenna Laine
