Commander kicker kicks game-winning field goal through uprights to defeat Buckeyes in Wild Card Round

This game will forever be known as the “Divisional Doink” of the Washington Commanders, as Zane Gonzalez’s goal to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round, 23-20, received little help from the goal.

Getting the ball with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter after the Bucs had tied it with a field goal at 20 apiece, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense had a drive, knowing that burning the right clock could run out. on the game-winning field goal at the buzzer.

There were a few key plays in the drive to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Dyami Brown, who scored the game’s first touchdown, at the 21 on 3rd-and-6 to keep possession. With 55 seconds left, Daniels managed to run four yards on third-and-2 from the Tampa Bay 19-yard line, setting up a game-ending opportunity.

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When Gonzalez connected on that 37-yard field goal, it took off right, and every Bucs fan at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay was hoping it wouldn’t split the uprights. But when it came out of the right goal, it was three points and a victory to advance to the Divisional Round.

This is Washington’s first playoff win since 2005, and it came off another gutsy performance by the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Daniels solidified his role as the team’s franchise player during the regular season, but he didn’t come together under the pressure of the playoffs against a Bucs team that demolished the Philadelphia Eagles at their place last season in the same round.

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Daniels, however, was calm and collected, going 24-of-35 for 268 yards with two touchdowns, including one to Terry McLaurin that came after the game’s most important moment.

The Bucs defense came up with an amazing fourth and third stop to turn the Commanders on downs at their own 3 yard line. But after just four plays, Baker Mayfield broke up what appeared to be a fake pass to rookie receiver Jalen McMillan. The ball hit McMillan’s arm and went to the ground.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, fumbles the ball, which is recovered 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 pass to McLaurin on fourth-and-2 for the go-ahead.

The Bucs were unable to capitalize on another red-zone drive on the next drive, opting to kick a game-tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from the Washington 14-yard line. But they would never see the ball again because of 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 on the night.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes 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 will head to Detroit to face the 1 seed Lions as their 6 seed is below the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and 5 Minnesota Vikings. , who play in the final wild card game on Monday night.

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