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This game will forever be known as “Divisional Doink” for Commanders of Washingtonwhen Zane Gonzalez hit a field goal to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, 23-20, got a little help from the goal post.
Getting the ball with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter after the Bucks had tied the game at 20 apiece, Jayden Daniels and the Chiefs’ offense was methodical with their drives, knowing that burning the right amount of clock could end up with a game-winning goal at the buzzer.
There were a few crucial plays to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Diamy Brown, who scored the game’s first touchdown, for a 21-yarder on 3rd-and-6 to keep possession. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels was able to run four yards on third-and-2 from Tampa Bay’s 19-yard line for a game-tying chance.
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Washington Commanders placekicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by teammates after he kicks the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, 12 January, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
When Gonzalez went in for that 37-yard shot, it immediately started going right, and every Bucs fan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay was hoping it wouldn’t split the goalposts. But when the puck bounced off the right post, he earned three points and the win to advance to the divisional round.
It’s Washington’s first playoff win since 2005, and it came thanks to another gutsy performance by the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniels cemented his role as the team’s franchise quarterback with a stellar regular season, but he didn’t back down from the playoff pressure on the road against a Bucs team that crushed Philadelphia Eagles at home just a season ago in the same round.
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Still, Daniels was calm and composed, going 24-for-35 for 268 yards with two touchdown passes, including one to Terry McLaurin that came after what was easily the game’s most defining moment.
The Bucks defense got a fantastic stop on fourth down and turned the Commanders over on downs at their own three yard line. But just four plays later, Baker Mayfield broke up what looked like a fake pass to rookie Jalen McMillan. The ball hit McMillin’s hand and flew to the floor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Baker Mayfield, left, fumbles for a ball that was returned by Washington Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
It was the Commanders who recovered at the Tampa Bay 11-yard line, and Daniels made the Bucs pay with a five-yard pass to McLaurin on fourth-and-2 to take the lead.
The Bucs failed to capitalize on another trip to the red zone on their next drive, opting to punt on a tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from the Washington 14-yard line. But they won’t see the ball again thanks to Daniels and his offense.
Mayfield was just 15-for-18 for 185 yards with two touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries. Mike Evans had the team’s first touchdown as part of his seven-catch, 92-yard day.
Meanwhile, Brown and McLaurin each had 89 receiving yards that night.
Washington Commanders defensive end Jaden Daniels (5) makes a pass 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/Jason Behnken)
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The Chiefs will have a tough task in the divisional round as they head to Detroit to face the No. 1 seed Lions as their No. 6 seed is below the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and the No. 4 Minnesota Vikings No. 5. , who play in the final wild-card game on Monday night.
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