Jayden Daniels Guides Commanders to First Playoff Win Since 2006

Updated On Jan 13, 2025 by Landon Wheeler

Jayden Daniels goes past Yaya Diaby during NFC Wild Card Playoff Game 2024Summary:

  • The Washington Commanders secured a last-second 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their wild-card round.
  • The Commanders marked their first playoff victory since 2006 and their sixth consecutive season victory.
  • Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels played a key role, passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns.

The ball seemed to defy the odds as it hit the right upright and hung in the air, casting a moment of doubt that the Washington Commanders would once again fall victim to heartbreak.

However, 2024 has been a year of redemption for the team, and the ball did what it was supposed to: it bounced over the crossbar, sealing a 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their NFL wild-card-round game.

First Playoff Win Since 2006

The victory continues Washington’s remarkable season, setting them up for a showdown with the NFC’s top-seeded Detroit Lions on Saturday night.

Zane Gonzalez’s last-second 37-yard field goal secured Washington’s first playoff win since 2006, marking the end of a 19-year postseason win drought.

The kick created a moment of suspense that had fans on edge.

Head coach Dan Quinn admitted

I felt like I was in a Bounty commercial where the cup spills and like, ‘nooooo. As it went through, I just paused and probably skipped a beat, but that’s the emotion where it was at

The win adds to Washington’s impressive run, as the team has now won six straight games, five of them coming on the final play.
With 13 regular-season wins, the Commanders surpassed their total from the previous two seasons combined, a remarkable feat for a team that hadn’t won 11 games since 1991.

This victory was only their fourth playoff win since that Super Bowl season, and their third in 26 years.

This is a really connected team” the head coach said, adding “They believe in one another and you have to have that connection to also have that belief.

A major factor in the win was rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was up for yet another impressive performance.

In his first playoff start, Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. With the score tied at 20-20, he led the Commanders on a composed 4-minute drive, completing all three of his passes for 44 yards and running for a crucial first down to help run out the clock.

He’s done it all year” commented linebacker Bobby Wagner.

The 24-year-old’s poise in high-pressure moments has been a defining trait throughout the season with his calm demeanor allowing him to remain unfazed, even during game-deciding plays.

If he had his heart rate monitor on, and mine, they would not be the same in the game” Quinn joked.

New Ownership Celebrated the Victory

The victory was especially sweet for the team’s new ownership, with managing partner Josh Harris and minority shareholder Magic Johnson celebrating the win together with their families.

Harris purchased the team in July 2023, and since then, the organization has experienced a significant transformation, especially with the hiring of general manager Adam Peters, head coach Dan Quinn, and the drafting of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

This team, this organization, all of us have gone through it” said receiver Terry McLaurin.

So, to be on the other side and have some fruits of our labor is unbelievable“, the 29-year-old who set the 2024 record for most touchdown catches in a season (13) and earned second-team All-Pro honors added.

As the ball bounced through the uprights, the Commanders knew that their season of destiny was still very much alive.

At this point, the way everything’s been going, we train for these moments” said defensive tackle Jon Allen.

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