• Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a 23-20 playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
• This win marked the Commanders' first playoff victory in 19 years, ending a drought since 2006.
• Baker Mayfield's fourth-quarter fumble proved costly for the Buccaneers, leading to the Commanders' comeback.
• Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing impressive poise in a high-pressure situation.
• The Commanders are set to face the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — In a nail-biting finish to a thrilling game, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Washington Commanders to a dramatic 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. This win marked the first playoff victory for the Commanders in 19 years, a significant milestone for a team that has faced long stretches of adversity.

In the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs, Daniels, who battled through a bloody gash on his face sustained earlier in the game, completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards alongside two touchdowns. With less than five minutes remaining of a tied game, Daniels orchestrated a 10-play, 51-yard drive that set up a 37-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez. Gonzalez's kick, which bounced off the right upright before going through, clinched the victory as time expired, much to the delight of Commanders fans [*source: USA Today*](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/commanders/2025/01/12/jayden-daniels-washington-commanders-tampa-bay-buccaneers-nfl-playoffs/77664542007/).

The game turned in the fourth quarter when a fumble by Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield after a botched handoff led to a recovery by linebacker Bobby Wagner, giving Washington possession deep in Buccaneers territory. Following that, Daniels threw a critical touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, taking a lead before the Buccaneers responded with a field goal to tie the game at 20.

The victory was especially sweet for Daniels and the Commanders, who had not won a playoff game since January 7, 2006. Daniels joins an exclusive group as just the fourth rookie quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game on the road, following in the footsteps of notable teammates [*source: The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jan/12/commanders-beat-buccaneers-for-teams-first-playoff-victory-in-19-years).

Looking ahead, the Commanders will face the top-seeded Detroit Lions next Saturday in the divisional round. As the team aims to continue their momentum, Daniels noted the importance of preparation and execution in high-pressure moments. “I think you just kind of find that zone,” he reflected on his performance during critical moments. His cool demeanor in clutch situations has been a hallmark of his rookie campaign, further solidifying his position as a key player for Washington as they pursue the NFC Championship. For more coverage of the NFL playoffs, visit [AP NFL](https://apnews.com/hub/nfl).