For the first time since the 2005 NFL season, the Washington Commanders have won a playoff game.
Jayden Daniels and the Commanders offense drove deep into field goal range late Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, setting up kicker Zane Gonzalez for a 37-yard field goal attempt to send the Commanders through to the Divisional Round.
On the snap prior to the attempt, Daniels kneeled along the left hashmark, a move that proved fortuitous. Gonzalez’s kick veered toward the right hashmark, clanging off the goalpost before careening through for the game-winning field goal:
The victory not only snapped Washington’s lengthy drought of playoff wins but saw Daniels become the first rookie quarterback since Russell Wilson to win a playoff game on the road. The rookie quarterback was critical throughout the entire night and on the game-winning drive. Daniels connected with wide receiver Dyami Brown — who had a huge game for the Commanders — on a third-down play early in the drive to extend the possession:
Daniels also picked up this critical first down with his legs, stiff-arming defensive tackle Calijah Kancey behind the line of scrimmage before diving for the first down:
Those plays set the stage for Gonzalez, and the doink that will go into Washington history.
The Commanders will take on the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.
