The moment should have been stressful — Washington, on the road in the NFL playoffs, faced third-and-1 with a chance to win the game.
Yet during a brief break in play, with only 55 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was seen laughing on the field while talking to Tampa Bay defenders across the line of scrimmage.
During a superlative rookie season, Daniels has rarely looked bothered by a big stage. From his Hail Mary touchdown to beat Chicago to his 12 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime — the most ever by a rookie quarterback — Daniels has repeatedly produced in improbable ways that belie his lack of experience.
That continued Sunday in Tampa Bay.
After jawing with the Buccaneers defenders, Daniels converted that crucial third down in the final minute, setting up Washington’s 37-yard game-winning field goal to beat Tampa Bay, 23-20. As time expired, Zane Gonzalez’s kick bounced off the right upright and through to end a back-and-forth game featuring five lead changes and five gutsy fourth-down attempts by the Commanders.
The Commanders now advance to the divisional round of the postseason facing the NFC's top seed, Detroit. The win was Washington’s first in the playoffs since the 2005 season. Daniels was only 5 years old then; on Sunday he became only the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to win on the road in a playoff debut by completing 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for team-high 36 yards.
Baker Mayfield threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns for Tampa, but his fourth-quarter fumble led Washington to score a touchdown that put it ahead 20-17. It never gave up the lead again.
It was the final game of a day on which Buffalo and Philadelphia also advanced to next week’s divisional round of the playoffs.
The Bills remained unbeaten at home this season by easily dispatching Denver, 31-7. Josh Allen threw for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Neither team committed a turnover, but while the Broncos missed a field goal, Buffalo was a perfect 3-for-3.
Green Bay struggled from the start in its 22-10 loss at Philadelphia, fumbling its opening kickoff in the first of four Packers turnovers. They included three interceptions thrown by quarterback Jordan Love. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts looked unbothered after having missed his previous two games under concussion protocol, and Saquon Barkley added 119 rushing yards.
Two other teams punched their tickets to the divisional round Saturday: Houston — thanks to an incredible defensive effort with four interceptions of Justin Herbert — and Baltimore — thanks to continued dominance on the ground by Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.
Doink — and it's a win!
Washington has won its first playoff game since the 2005 season after Zane Gonzalez bounced in the game-winning field goal off the right upright as time expired. The 37-yard field goal pushed Washington ahead, 23-20, and sends the Commanders to the divisional round while ending Tampa's season.
For the second time, this game is tied
Tampa kicker Chase McLaughlin's 32-yard field goal evens the score at 20-20 with 4:41 to play in the fourth quarter. The Commanders get the ball back next. Of Washington's four scoring drives tonight, three have lasted at least 4:30. Will Tampa get the ball back tonight?
This time, fourth-and-goal works
One drive after being stopped on fourth down near the goal line, Washington was in the same position again. Undaunted, it went for a pass instead of a kick yet again — and this time, it worked.
Facing fourth-and-2 from the 5-yard line, Jayden Daniels lofted his throw, off his back foot, over the defensive line and linebackers right into Terry McLaurin's hands for a 20-17 Commanders lead, with 9:46 to play. Washington is now 3-for-5 tonight on fourth-down tries.
Turnover, Tampa!
Tampa can't take advantage of its goal-line stand after Baker Mayfield's attempted handoff to receiver Jalen McMillan fell to the ground and Washington recovered only 13 yards from the end zone.
Tampa defense gets critical stop
Washington had first-and-goal just one yard from the end zone but could not score in a huge defensive stand by the Buccaneers. Washington's play calls:
First down: An incomplete pass short and to the right
Second down: A loss of two on a rush
Third down: An incomplete pass through traffic over the middle
Fourth down: Another incompletion aimed over the middle when Daniels's intended receiver was blocked by a linebacker on his route.
It's no secret Washington takes risks on fourth down, but never once did Washington get out of the shotgun formation. Did that just bite the Commanders?
End of the third quarter: Tampa Bay 17, Washington 13
The control Washington seemed to have on this game during the first half, as it grew a sizable advantage in time of possession, plays run and yards gained, dissipated in the third quarter.
Tampa outscored Washington, 7-3, in the quarter, and is now 2-for-2 scoring in the red zone tonight. Don't be surprised if Baker Mayfield continues to target the uber-dependable veteran Mike Evans (six catches, 84 yards) in crunch time.
Buccaneers take the lead!
In what has already become the most back-and-forth game of wild-card weekend, Tampa forges the third lead change of the game with 4:31 to go in the third quarter.
Running back Bucky Irving slipped out of the backfield on a pass route, all alone, and Baker Mayfield found him for a four-yard touchdown and a 17-13 lead. Remember when Tampa started 1-for-4 on third down? It is 2-for-2 since, including a key conversion on that drive.
Washington opens second half with points
Zane Gonzalez makes his second field goal of the night, this time from 22 yards, to push Washington ahead, 13-10, with 10:30 to go in the third quarter.
Something to watch for is how successful offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will be at targeting Tampa's injury-depleted secondary. The Bucs allowed 243 passing yards per game, fourth-most in the NFL; in barely more than a half of football, Tampa has already given up 170 to Daniels.
Tied in Tampa at the half
The first half was largely controlled by Washington, but Tampa gained momentum entering halftime, tied 10-10, after Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Mike Evans that was placed in quite possibly the only place where it could have been completed. Only 10 seconds remained in the first half. That drive went 74 yards in seven plays and was the answer the Buccaneers desperately needed after a mostly futile first half on offense.
Jayden Daniels finished the first half 11-of-16 passing for 108 yards and a touchdown, with 30 yards rushing, as well. Baker Mayfield, meanwhile, is 9-of-12 for 108 yards and a touchdown with 21 rushing yards.
Tampa's leading rusher is ... Baker Mayfield?
After this remarkable run, it's true.