Jayden Daniels shines in his playoff debut for Commanders

The Washington Commanders are on their method to the divisional spherical for the primary time for the reason that 2005 season because of Sunday’s 23-20 wild-card win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It got here right down to a game-winning 37-yard area purpose from Zane Gonzalez that doinked in off the suitable upright as time expired. 

Listed below are some takeaways from the Commanders’ win. 

Kneejerk response: Lastly a aggressive recreation this postseason

Soccer followers, as a collective group, owe an enormous thanks to the Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers for lastly giving us a aggressive recreation on wild-card weekend. 

After the primary 4 video games have been all double-digit blowouts, none of which appeared even remotely aggressive, the Commanders and Buccaneers performed an exciting, shut recreation that got here right down to the wire. It’s what you wish to see from an NFL playoff recreation as each quarterbacks (Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield) had sturdy moments, there was good protection, big-time teaching choices (like Washington’s Dan Quinn constantly going for it on fourth down) and tense moments. 

It additionally got here right down to literal inches on the buzzer as Gonzalez’s area purpose doinked its method via the uprights.

Every thing you might need in a playoff recreation. 

Sport MVP: Jayden Daniels, quarterback, Washington Commanders

The actual story of this recreation was Washington’s rookie quarterback sensation taking part in like, properly, something however a rookie. 

Daniels seemed like a seasoned professional in his first style of playoff motion, finishing 24-of-35 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and in addition operating for 36 yards on 13 carries. 

That included a game-winning drive to arrange the Commanders’ profitable area purpose. 

On that drive he confirmed off his athleticism and talent to make performs along with his toes in one of many largest doable conditions. With the Commanders dealing with a Third-and-2 with underneath a minute to play within the fourth quarter, Washington put the ball in Daniels’ fingers and allowed him to make a play.