This wild-card playoff game pits the Washington Commanders against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who finished first and second, respectively, in the National Football Conference.
The Wizards’ 12-5 record is their best in a long time. With the addition of rookie star Jayden Daniels and new head coach Dan Quinn, the team has had its greatest season since 1991–1992, when they won the Super Bowl. Come into this one riding a five-game winning streak, the Commanders have bounced back from a midseason slump.
Similarly, Tampa Bay (10-7) has gone 6-1 since their Week 11 bye. Although there was only one club in that span that ended above.500, the Buccaneers still managed to pull it off with little room for mistake. The Buccaneers have proven themselves capable by defeating the top two teams in the NFC, the Detroit Lions and the Philadelphia Eagles. Even in Week 1, they breezed past Washington, winning 37-20.
First quarter ends with the Buccaneers up, 3-0 over the Commanders.
Washington failed to convert on a fourth-down opportunity, which let Tampa Bay gain a field goal lead at the end of the first quarter.
The decision to keep the offence on the field instead of the kicking unit on the first drive by the Commanders was a poor one after the Buccaneers kicked off the game with a field goal. On their subsequent drive, Tampa Bay punted, and Washington is now constructing a drive towards midfield.
Early completions to Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans—two of the quarterbacks’ favourite targets—have resulted in 34 yards. At the same time, Jayden Daniels has three receptions for 55 yards to Terry McLaurin.
A failed fourth-down conversion attempt by the commanders
On their first drive of the game, Washington had a chance to tie the game early, but they failed to convert a fourth-down opportunity.
Jayden Daniels got the Commanders into scoring position at the Tampa Bay 28-yard line on the third play of the drive with a difficult 35-yard pass completion to favourite receiver Terry McLaurin.
Still, the nation’s capital was unable to advance the sticks any further. Daniels failed to get the first down on a third-and-short attempt because he couldn’t get past linebacker J.J. Russell. The offence continued to play, but Daniels was unable to complete a pass to Austin Eckler, resulting in the return of the ball to Tampa Bay and a missed scoring opportunity.
A field goal puts Tampa Bay up 3-0 over the Commanders.
To kick off Sunday night’s action, Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin connects from 50 yards out.
Although spectators are eager to find out who advances to the divisional round, almost everyone can’t wait for Mike Evans and Marshon Lattimore to resume their intense battle. With two receptions for 34 yards—one of which extended the Buccaneers drive—Evans has been the Commanders defensive back’s main rival thus far.
The drive halted after Baker Mayfield failed to connect with Jalen McMillan on consecutive plays, preventing Tampa Bay from getting into Washington territory.
When is the wild-card game between the Buccaneers and the Commanders?
Commencement hour: 8 p.m. ET
Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida is the venue.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Commanders will square off in a wild-card NFC playoff game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. At 8 p.m. ET, it will begin.
The Commanders and the Buccaneers television station NBC
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off against the Washington Commanders in the NFL wild-card game, and NBC will air the program with play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, analyst Cris Collinsworth, and sideline reporter Melissa Stark.
Watch the Buccaneers take on the Commanders.
Peacock or Fubo? Watch it live!
You can watch the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Commanders NFL wild-card playoff game on Peacock or, if you prefer, you can sign up with a free trial membership on Fubo. You can watch NFL games throughout the playoffs on Fubo because it carries NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, NFL Network, and the ESPN family of networks.
