Zane Gonzalez’s dramatic 37-yard field goal off the post as time expired and the Washington Commanders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 ), winning an exciting NFL Wild Card game.

Jayden Daniels set up Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal attempt on a crucial first play that clanged off the right upright and ended up scoring for Washington. first playoff win in 6,945 days.

Daniels, who had a bandage under his right eye after bleeding on his face, became the third rookie quarterback in three years to win a playoff game against the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions. ) played a game. 15-2) In the divisional round.

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (10-8) missed several opportunities, with the veteran quarterback committing costly turnovers in the fourth quarter. The Buccaneers failed to gain a yard on two attempts at the Commander 12 and eventually fielded a field goal to tie the game before Washington won.

Daniels passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy in winning a playoff game the past three seasons as a rookie quarterback, Washington’s first since 2006. Win in the playoffs for the first time since.

Commanders prepare for lion showdown

The Pirates opened the season with a 37-20 home victory over the Commanders in Daniels’ first game. Daniels then had an outstanding season, making the Pro Bowl and helping Washington improve from 4-13 to 12-5.

Now, he leads the team to Detroit to face Jared Goff and the Lions’ high-octane offense.

“It means a lot, man,” Daniels said. “You can see all the fans here, man, they’re waiting for us. They’ve been waiting a long time for this moment and this feeling, so I’m happy for them.”

With Tampa Bay’s defense holding within five points and a 17-13 lead in the opening minute of the fourth quarter, Mayfield fumbled a pass to Jalen McMillan and handed the ball to the play-caller.

Washington recovered in the 13th inning against the Buccaneers. On fourth-and-2 of five, Daniels connected with Terry McLaurin in the back of the end zone for a 20-17 lead.

Mayfield led the Buccaneers to second-and-1 at the Commander 12, but Chase McLaughlin’s 32-yard field goal cut the Buccaneers to their 20 with 4:41 left in the game. -20 equalizer.

The Buccaneers never got the ball back, a credit to Daniels who calmly led the way upfield. He was hit behind the line of scrimmage with less than a minute left but scrambled four yards on third-and-2, allowing him to take a knee to set up Gonzalez’s game-winning field goal foundation.

What to do next?

Wild Card Weekend ends Monday night with the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Los Angeles Rams at 1 a.m. Tuesday.

The divisional rounds begin next weekend, with the Commanders taking on the Lions on Saturday night (1am Sunday UK time) and the Houston Texans taking on the Kansas City Chiefs (9:30pm UK time).

Super Bowl 59 will be held on Sunday, February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL. Stream the NFL and more top sports with NOW.