Jayden Daniels leads Commanders to first playoff win since 2006
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, top, catches a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown (2) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving, middle, runs against the Washington Commanders during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled by Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, right, and defensive end Dorance Armstrong during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches a touchdown pass against Washington Commanders Quan Martin (20) and cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) scrambles out of the pocket against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
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Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz, top, catches a pass against Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
TAMPA, Fla. — Jayden Daniels ran for a critical first down to set up Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal that clanged off the right upright and went through as time expired, and the Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in an NFC wild-card game Sunday night for the franchise’s first playoff win in 6,945 days.
Daniels, playing with a bandage beneath his right eye after his face was bloodied, became the third rookie quarterback in three years to win a playoff game.
The Commanders (13-5) will face the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions (15-2) in the divisional round.
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Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (10-8) missed several opportunities and the veteran quarterback committed a critical turnover in the fourth quarter. The Bucs couldn’t get 1 yard on two tries from the Commanders 12 and settled for a field goal to tie the game before Washington’s winning drive.
Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy as rookie QBs to win playoff games in the past three seasons.
Washington hadn’t won in the postseason since beating the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay 17-10 in a wild-card game on Jan. 7, 2006.