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Commanders vs Buccaneers Match Player Stats: Key Player Performances Revealed
By Michael S. Davis No Comments 7 minutes
Talk about a playoff opener! The Wild Card matchup on January 12, 2025, between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was a nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat affair that saw the Commanders pull off a dramatic 23-20 victory at Raymond James Stadium. This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement game for Washington, fueled by their promising rookie quarterback and a defense that made plays when it counted most.
If you were glued to your screen or just looking for the inside scoop on the heroes and crucial moments, this detailed breakdown of player stats and turning points is exactly what you need.
Final Scorecard: Commanders Clutch Up for the Win
This was a true back-and-forth battle, decided by the slimmest of margins.
**Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Total** |
Washington Commanders | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
A hard-fought victory on the road, sending the Commanders deeper into the playoffs!
Starting Lineups: The Stage Was Set
Before the opening whistle, here’s who took the field for both sides, ready to leave it all out there.
Washington Commanders Starting Offense:
- Quarterback: Jayden Daniels
- Running Backs: Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler
- Wide Receivers: Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus
- Tight End: Zach Ertz
- Offensive Line: Andrew Wylie, Brandon Coleman, Nick Allegretti, Sam Cosmi, Tyler Biadasz
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Starting Offense:
- Quarterback: Baker Mayfield
- Running Backs: Rachaad White, Bucky Irving
- Wide Receivers: Mike Evans, Jalen McMillan
- Tight End: Cade Otton
- Offensive Line: Tristan Wirfs, Cody Mauch, Graham Barton, Aaron Stinnie, Luke Goedeke (Note: Specific offensive line details for this game were less prominent in the search results, so a general mention is used.)
Both teams brought their best, setting the stage for a memorable playoff clash.
Jayden Daniels: The Rookie Rises to the Occasion
Rookie Jayden Daniels continued to defy expectations, showing remarkable composure and playmaking ability in his first playoff start. He didn’t just play well; he led the Commanders.
- Passing: 24 completions on 35 attempts for 268 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. That’s a 68.6% completion rate under playoff pressure!
- Rushing: 13 carries for 36 yards.
- Key Highlights: Daniels was sensational on Washington’s final two scoring drives, demonstrating incredible poise. He consistently extended plays with his legs and delivered accurate passes, including a critical 5-yard touchdown to Terry McLaurin in the fourth quarter to put them ahead. He joined an exclusive list of rookie QBs to win a playoff game with such impressive stats and zero turnovers.
Daniels truly looked like a seasoned veteran, not a rookie in his first playoff test. The future is incredibly bright in Washington!
Commanders’ Receiving Corps: Stepping Up in the Big Moments
Daniels had his trusted targets making big plays when the Commanders needed them most.
- Terry McLaurin: 7 receptions for 89 yards, 1 touchdown. “Scary Terry” lived up to his nickname, making clutch grabs and securing the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
- Dyami Brown: 5 receptions for 89 yards, 1 touchdown. Brown matched McLaurin in yardage and showed his big-play ability, scoring a 10-yard touchdown to get Washington on the board.
- Austin Ekeler: 3 receptions for 26 yards, providing a reliable outlet.
- Zach Ertz: 2 receptions for 23 yards, including key catches to keep drives alive.
This balanced attack, combined with Daniels’ efficiency, kept the Buccaneers defense on their heels.
Zane Gonzalez: The Unsung Hero with a “Doink”
In a game decided by three points, the kicker can be the difference-maker, and Zane Gonzalez was exactly that for the Commanders.
- Field Goals: 3-for-3, with successful kicks from 52, 22, and the game-winning 37 yards.
- Extra Points: 2-for-2.
That 52-yarder was a significant momentum swing, and the game-winning 37-yard “doink” off the upright that went in will forever be etched in Commanders’ playoff lore!
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A Valiant Effort in Defeat
Despite the tough loss, the Buccaneers showed tremendous fight, led by their veteran stars.
- Baker Mayfield: 15 completions on 18 attempts for 185 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. A highly efficient performance from Mayfield, who kept the Bucs in the game until the very end with a fantastic 146.5 passer rating.
- Mike Evans: 7 receptions for 92 yards, 1 touchdown. Evans continued to be a dominant force, making contested catches and scoring a crucial 1-yard touchdown just before halftime to tie the game at 10.
- Bucky Irving: 17 carries for 77 rushing yards, 1 touchdown. The rookie running back showed burst and power, including a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter that momentarily gave the Bucs the lead.
Mayfield and Evans were a formidable duo, consistently moving the ball and putting points on the board, but it wasn’t quite enough.
Defensive Highlights: Game-Changing Plays
While the offenses had their moments, defensive plays proved critical in this tight contest.
- Bobby Wagner (WAS): 8 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a huge fumble recovery at the Buccaneers’ 13-yard line in the fourth quarter. This pivotal turnover directly led to the Commanders’ go-ahead touchdown.
- Lavonte David (TB): 8 total tackles and 1.0 sack. The veteran linebacker was a force, leading the Bucs’ defensive effort and constantly disrupting plays.
The Commanders’ defense forced the lone turnover of the game, and in a playoff contest this close, that single play proved to be the decisive factor.
Record-Breaking Stats: A Night for the History Books
This wasn’t just a big win; it added some impressive notes to the history books for the Commanders.
- Jayden Daniels’ zero turnovers: A remarkable feat for a rookie quarterback in his first playoff start, especially on the road.
- Jayden Daniels’ 268 passing yards & 36 rushing yards: He became the first rookie QB to lead his team in both passing and rushing in a playoff win.
- Commanders’ 17-play, 92-yard drive (Q2): A testament to their offensive discipline, eating up over nine minutes of clock and converting multiple third and fourth downs.
Fans in Washington will certainly be talking about this game for years to come.
Game-Changing Moments: When the Momentum Shifted
- Daniels’ 10-yard TD pass to Dyami Brown (2nd Quarter): Capped off a marathon drive, showcasing Washington’s ability to sustain offense and get on the board.
- Mike Evans’ 1-yard TD catch (2nd Quarter): A clutch play from the veteran just before halftime, tying the game and showing the Bucs’ resilience.
- Bobby Wagner’s Fumble Recovery (4th Quarter): The biggest play of the game, setting up Washington for their go-ahead score.
- Daniels’ 5-yard TD pass to Terry McLaurin on 4th & 2 (4th Quarter): Pure guts and execution from the rookie and his star receiver to seize the lead.
- Zane Gonzalez’s Game-Winning Field Goal (End of 4th Quarter): The dramatic finale, sealing the Commanders’ ticket to the Divisional Round.
From the opening whistle to the final “doink,” this game was a rollercoaster of emotions and pivotal plays.
Looking Ahead: Commanders March On!
With this emphatic victory, the Washington Commanders punched their ticket to the Divisional Round, where they’ll face the top-seeded Detroit Lions. Jayden Daniels and the entire team are playing with incredible confidence, and they’ve shown they can win in tough environments.
As for the Buccaneers, their 2024-25 season ends here. While it’s a difficult pill to swallow, they can hold their heads high after a season where Baker Mayfield revived his career and the team battled until the very end.
Final Thoughts
The Commanders vs. Buccaneers Wild Card game was everything playoff football should be – intense, unpredictable, and filled with heroic performances. While Washington celebrated a historic win, both teams gave fans an unforgettable display of grit and determination. January 12, 2025, will undoubtedly go down as a classic.
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