Zane Gonzalez kicked a dramatic 37-yard area purpose off the publish as time expired to see the Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in an exciting NFL wild-card recreation.
Jayden Daniels ran for a important first all the way down to arrange Gonzalez’s 37-yard area purpose try, that clanged off the proper upright and went via, to provide Washington their first playoff win in 6,945 days.
Daniels, taking part in with a bandage beneath his proper eye after his face was bloodied, turned the third rookie quarterback in three years to win a playoff recreation, because the Commanders (13-5) arrange a gathering with the No 1 seed Detroit Lions (15-2) within the divisional spherical.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (10-8) missed a number of alternatives and the veteran quarterback dedicated a expensive turnover within the fourth quarter. The Bucs could not get one yard on two tries from the Commanders 12 and settled for a area purpose to tie the sport earlier than Washington’s profitable drive.
Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, becoming a member of C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy as rookie QBs to win playoff video games up to now three seasons, as Washington received within the post-season for the primary time since 2006.
Commanders arrange Lions showdown
The Buccaneers opened the season with a 37-20 victory at dwelling towards the Commanders in Daniels’ first recreation. Daniels went on to have an impressive season, was chosen to the Professional Bowl and helped Washington enhance from 4-13 to 12-5.
Now, he has them headed to Detroit to face Jared Goff and the Lions’ high-octane offense.
“It means a lot, man,” Daniels mentioned. “You could just see all the fans over here, man, they’re waiting for us. They’ve waited a long time for this moment and this feeling, so I’m just so happy for them.”
After Tampa Bay’s protection held contained in the 5 within the opening minute of the fourth quarter to protect a 17-13 lead, Mayfield gave the Commanders the ball proper again when he fumbled an alternate on a handoff to Jalen McMillan.
Washington recovered on the Buccaneers 13. On fourth-and-two from the 5, Daniels linked with Terry McLaurin at the back of the top zone for a 20-17 lead.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vast receiver Mike Evans is tackled towards Washington Commanders security Quan Martin, backside proper, and linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., foreground left, in the course of the second half
Mayfield drove the Buccaneers to a second-and-one on the Commanders 12 however they settled for a 32-yard area purpose by Chase McLaughlin that tied it at 20-20 with 4:41 left.
The Bucs by no means received the ball again, due to Daniels, who calmly led his staff downfield. With lower than a minute left, he was hit behind the road of scrimmage however scrambled for 4 yards on third-and-two, permitting him to take a knee to arrange Gonzalez’s profitable kick.
What subsequent?
Wild Card Weekend concludes Monday night time when the Minnesota Vikings face the Los Angeles Rams from 1am within the early hours of Tuesday.
The Divisional Spherical begins subsequent weekend, with the Commanders travelling to play the Lions on Saturday night time (Sunday 1am UK time), after the Houston Texans face the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (9.30pm UK time).
Tremendous Bowl LIX takes place on Sunday February 9 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, dwell on Sky Sports activities NFL. Stream NFL and extra prime sport with NOW.
