Buccaneers vs Commanders Review: Jayden Daniels arrives and Bucs mistakes

After 19-years, the Washington Commanders have won their first playoff game. They emerged victorious in a thrilling NFC Wild Card playoff game, defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 at Raymond James Stadium on a game-winning field goal.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels showcased remarkable poise and skill in his playoff debut. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions. Daniels also led the team in rushing with 36 yards, including a crucial third-down scramble in the final minute to set up the winning field goal.

While for the Bucs, Baker Mayfield had only 46 plays with the football in which he completed 15 of 18 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns without any interceptions. But gave a fumble which helped the Commanders setup for the field goal.

The contest was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading leads throughout. The Commanders opened the scoring with a field goal, but the Buccaneers quickly responded. The first half ended in a 10-10 tie after Mike Evans scored a touchdown for Tampa Bay, neutralising an earlier score by Washington’s Dyami Brown.

In the third quarter, the Buccaneers took a 17-13 lead when Baker Mayfield connected with Bucky Irving for a 4-yard touchdown. However, the Commanders refused to back down, and the game remained tight heading into the final quarter.

The fourth quarter was filled with tension and crucial plays. The Commanders’ defense held firm near their goal line, maintaining Tampa Bay’s slim 17-13 lead. However, a fumble by Mayfield on a botched handoff gave Washington excellent field position.

Seizing the opportunity, Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin in the end zone on a critical fourth-and-2 from the 5-yard line, giving Washington a 20-17 lead. The Buccaneers managed to tie the game at 20-20 with a field goal, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the final minutes, Daniels showcased his poise and skill, leading the Commanders on a game-winning drive. With less than a minute remaining, he scrambled for a crucial first down under pressure, allowing Washington to set up for the final play.

As time expired, kicker Zane Gonzalez attempted a 37-yard field goal. The kick dramatically struck the right upright before it doink through, securing the 23-20 victory.

Here are key takeaways from a memorable Wildcard game!

Jaylen Daniels is ready for playoffs

Does this sound familiar? Top rookie quarterback, leads team to amazing regular season and goes and wins a playoff game? Well that’s what Houston Texans’ CJ Stroud did last year in his rookie season and Jaylen Daniels has just done it too. In Tampa, he showed why he is a cornerstone for the Commanders’ future and one of the top QBs in the NFL.

His performance displayed so many key attributes the top QBs show while under playing the game’s brightest lights. His clutch plays under pressure stood out, including a critical fourth-and-2 touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin and a game-sealing scramble that set up the winning field goal.

Despite sustaining a facial injury, Daniels displayed remarkable resilience and leadership, maintaining control of an offense that consistently kept the Buccaneers’ defense on its heels. His pre-snap recognition and decision-making further highlighted his advanced football IQ.

By delivering Washington’s first playoff victory since 2006, Daniels joined an exclusive group of rookie quarterbacks to win a postseason game on the road, etching his name into franchise history. With momentum behind him, more history making could be on the cards for Daniels.

Commanders’ Receiving Corps Steps Up

Two seasons ago, Terry McLaurin signed a three-year extension. At the time it made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid wide receivers. Questions about if it was a smart deal and whether he could actually help them get to a place where the Commanders can succeed. Now, he is the core of their playmakers, in Tampa McLaurin led the charge with 7 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, including a critical fourth-and-2 score that gave Washington the lead in the fourth quarter.

Washington’s receiving corps played a pivotal role, demonstrating their depth, versatility, and ability to deliver in high-pressure moments. Dyami Brown matched McLaurin’s production with 89 yards and a touchdown of his own, including a 10-yard grab to open the scoring and a clutch 21-yard reception on the game-winning drive. Together, McLaurin and Brown became only the fifth pair of receivers in franchise history to surpass 85 receiving yards each in a playoff game.

Complementing their standout performances, tight end Zach Ertz provided reliability in mid-range routes and the red zone, while the broader receiving corps, including Olamide Zaccheaus and Noah Brown, offered Jayden Daniels multiple options throughout the game. The unit’s ability to stretch the field and execute in critical moments was instrumental and it was the first test as a group that they passed and will need to continue to perform well.

Costly mistakes sealed fate for Bucs

For the Buccaneers, they showcased a blend of critical errors and missed opportunities that ultimately led to their early playoff exit. Tampa Bay, the only higher-seeded team to lose during the weekend, struggled with self-inflicted wounds, including penalties that created difficult down-and-distance situations and a costly fumble deep in their territory.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield’s mishandled handoff at the 13-yard line set up a pivotal fourth-down touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin, giving Washington a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter. Another miscommunication on a third-and-1 play resulted in a loss of yardage, forcing the Bucs to settle for a game-tying field goal instead of a potential touchdown.

Tampa Bay’s defense faltered in key moments, allowing Daniels to convert on three of five fourth-down attempts and complete all three passes on the final drive. With less than a minute remaining, Daniels scrambled for a critical first down on third-and-2, setting up Zane Gonzalez’s game-winning 37-yard field goal. Despite demonstrating resilience throughout a season marked by adversity, the Buccaneers couldn’t overcome their own mistakes, as penalties, defensive lapses, and untimely turnovers proved too costly in the tightly contested game.

Bright spots for Bucs

Mike Evans, Tampa Bay’s reliable offensive cornerstone, delivered another standout performance, finishing with a game-high 7 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Throughout the first half, Evans dominated his long-time rival Marshon Lattimore, recording 4 catches for 55 yards and drawing a pass interference penalty. Despite a season disrupted by injuries to himself and the Bucs’ receiver room, Evans capped a remarkable campaign, offering hope for more memorable moments in his 12th season.

On defense, Lavonte David embodied determination and experience, tallying 8 tackles, a crucial sack on the athletic Jayden Daniels, and a pivotal pass breakup to deny a touchdown on fourth down. At age 35, the franchise legend gave everything in what could potentially be his final game at Raymond James Stadium, leaving a lasting impression as a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ defense.

Calijah Kancey also showcased his potential as a disruptor, adding to his season tally of 7.5 sacks. Though he fell short on a game-defining play against Daniels, Kancey’s flashes of brilliance suggest a bright future if he remains healthy.

However, Tampa Bay’s defensive struggles were evident, as they failed to record a turnover or force any punts. Washington’s dominance in time of possession (35:26) reflected the Bucs’ inability to make critical stops, with the defense allowing multiple 7+ minute drives. The missed opportunities on both sides of the ball ultimately sealed Tampa’s fate, but the individual efforts of players like Evans, David, and Kancey provided moments of brilliance in an otherwise disappointing conclusion to the season.

Looking ahead

With this victory, the Commanders (13-5) advance to face the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round. The win not only ends a long playoff drought for the franchise but also continues the impressive rookie season of Jayden Daniels, who joins a select group of rookie quarterbacks to win a playoff game in recent years.

For the Buccaneers (10-8), the loss marks the end of their season, despite a valiant effort in front of their home crowd. The team will now look ahead to the 2025 season, their attention will shift to the offseason where they will aim to build on their successes and address areas for improvement, questions that need answering and the draft.