Buccaneers Fall to Commanders 23-20 on Final Play of Wild Card Matchup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Timm Hamm | Last updated Jan 12, 2025 11:37 PM ET

Zane Gonzalez doinked a 37-yard field goal off the right upright and through for the game-winner as time expired as the Washington Commanders outlasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.

Washington wins its first postseason game since a 17-10 Wild Card win over the Bucs at RayJay in Jan. 2006, and will move on to the Divisional Round at Detroit on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET.

Tampa Bay missed several opportunities on Sunday night and Baker Mayfield committed a crucial fumble in the fourth quarter on a botched handoff exchange with Jalen McMillan.

Jayden Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns to join C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy to become just the third rookie quarterback to win a playoff game in the past three seasons.

Mayfield finished 15-of-18 for 185 yards and two touchdowns and 23 yards rushing on seven carries. Bucky Irving had 77 yards on 17 carries while Mike Evans caught seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.

Daniels also carried 13 times for 36 yards but Dyami Brown and Terry McLaurin carved up the Bucs' porous zone coverage for 89 yards receiving apiece on 12 combined catches.

Mayfield's fumble with 11:58 left in the game resulted in a Commanders touchdown just four plays later and put Washington in front 20-17.

The Bucs added a field goal to tie the game at 20-20 with 4:41 left but the Commanders' next possession ended the game as time expired with the Gonzalez 37-yard game-winner.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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