The Washington Commanders didn’t just win a football game on Sunday night; they exorcised nearly two decades of postseason demons. In a gritty, high-stakes rematch of their Week 1 meeting, the Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match player stats told the story of a rookie quarterback’s evolution and a defense that refused to break. While the Bucs dominated the season opener, this Wild Card showdown belonged to Jayden Daniels, who became just the 12th rookie in NFL history to win his first playoff start. Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal as time expired sent the Commanders to the Divisional Round and left Raymond James Stadium in stunned silence.
The Stakes: A Rookie’s Legacy and a Franchise Milestone
The stakes couldn’t have been higher for Dan Quinn’s squad. Washington entered the playoffs looking for their first postseason victory—and first road playoff win—since 2005. Ironically, that win also came against Tampa Bay. For the Buccaneers, it was about protecting home turf and proving that Baker Mayfield’s career year could translate into another deep January run. Most importantly, all eyes were on the washington commanders vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats to see if Jayden Daniels could handle the Todd Bowles blitz that had stifled him back in September.
Game Flow Narrative: The Night Washington Took Control
The game was a tactical chess match from the opening kickoff. Unlike their Week 1 blowout loss, Washington’s defense held firm early, limiting Tampa Bay to field goals and keeping the game within reach. The Commanders’ offense was clinical, recording zero punts for the first time in a playoff game since 1945.
The turning point arrived in the third quarter. Trailing 13-10, the Commanders faced a critical 4th-and-1 near midfield. Jayden Daniels kept the ball on a read-option, sliding for a first down that ignited a 10-play scoring drive. Later, with the game tied at 20-20 and only two minutes remaining, Daniels orchestrated a “legacy drive,” converting two third downs to Terry McLaurin to set up Gonzalez’s game-winning kick. It was a complete reversal of their Week 1 meeting, where the Bucs scored on their first five possessions.
Quick Game Facts
- Final Score: Washington Commanders 23, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
- Date & Location: January 12, 2025 | Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, FL)
- Weather: 64°F, Clear
- Attendance: 65,834
- Time of Possession: Commanders (35:26) | Buccaneers (24:34)
The Statistical Core: Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats
Top Performers Comparison
| Category | Washington Commanders | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Passer | Jayden Daniels (268 Yds, 2 TD) | Baker Mayfield (185 Yds, 2 TD) |
| Rusher | Jayden Daniels (36 Yds) | Bucky Irving (77 Yds) |
| Receiver | Terry McLaurin (89 Yds, 1 TD) | Mike Evans (92 Yds, 1 TD) |
| Tackler | Bobby Wagner (8 Tot, 0.5 Sack) | Dorian Williams (12 Tot) |
Team Efficiency Table
| Metric | Washington Commanders | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| First Downs | 22 | 16 |
| Total Yards | 350 | 284 |
| Passing Yards | 268 | 183 |
| Rushing Yards | 82 | 101 |
| 3rd Down Conv % | 53.3% (8/15) | 33.3% (4/12) |
| Red Zone Eff | 2-for-3 (66%) | 2-for-2 (100%) |
| Penalties | 5-39 | 7-65 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
The Quarterback Masterclass
Jayden Daniels: The History Maker
Jayden Daniels’ contribution to the washington commanders vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats was nothing short of legendary. He joined Russell Wilson as the only rookie QBs in NFL history with 250+ passing yards, 2+ touchdowns, and 35+ rushing yards in a playoff game. Most impressively, he led an offense that didn’t commit a single turnover or punt the ball once. Daniels showed elite poise, finishing with a 100.0+ passer rating and proving he had learned from his Week 1 struggles against the blitz.
Baker Mayfield: Playoff Precision
Baker Mayfield did everything he could to keep the Bucs in the hunt. He set a franchise playoff record with a 146.5 passer rating, completing 83.3% of his passes. However, the lack of volume—due to Washington’s massive time-of-possession advantage—limited his impact. While Mayfield was nearly perfect when throwing, the five sacks allowed by his offensive line proved too much to overcome.
QB Stat Comparison
| Player | Comp/Att | Yards | TD/INT | Sacks | Rating | Rush Yds |
| Jayden Daniels | 24/35 | 268 | 2/0 | 2 | 107.8 | 36 |
| Baker Mayfield | 15/18 | 185 | 2/0 | 5 | 146.5 | 23 |
Positional Deep Dives
The Ground War: Rushing Stats
The Commanders struggled to run the ball traditionally but used Daniels’ mobility to keep the Bucs’ pass rush honest. For Tampa Bay, rookie Bucky Irving was a bright spot, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
| Player | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD | Long |
| Bucky Irving (TB) | 17 | 77 | 4.5 | 0 | 19 |
| Jayden Daniels (WAS) | 13 | 36 | 2.8 | 0 | 8 |
| Austin Ekeler (WAS) | 8 | 27 | 3.4 | 0 | 12 |
| Brian Robinson (WAS) | 10 | 16 | 1.6 | 0 | 5 |
The Aerial Attack: Receiving Stats
Terry McLaurin finally got his playoff moment, catching his first career postseason TD. Meanwhile, Dyami Brown stepped up as a massive “X-factor,” tying McLaurin for the team lead in yardage.
| Player | Targets | Rec | Yards | TD | YPR |
| Mike Evans (TB) | 9 | 7 | 92 | 1 | 13.1 |
| Terry McLaurin (WAS) | 8 | 7 | 89 | 1 | 12.7 |
| Dyami Brown (WAS) | 6 | 5 | 89 | 1 | 17.8 |
| Jalen McMillan (TB) | 3 | 2 | 41 | 0 | 20.5 |
The Defensive Wall
Defensive Player of the Game: Bobby Wagner (WAS)
The veteran linebacker showed why he was the most important offseason acquisition for Washington. Wagner recorded 8 tackles, a half-sack, and a crucial fumble recovery. The Washington defense held the Bucs to just 284 total yards—over 100 yards fewer than their Week 1 meeting.
Advanced Metrics & “The Why”
The washington commanders vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats are defined by efficiency. Washington converted three 4th-down attempts, the most in franchise playoff history. Their ability to sustain long drives (five drives of 10+ plays) exhausted the Tampa Bay defense. While the Bucs had a higher yards-per-play average (6.5 vs 5.1), they only ran 44 plays compared to Washington’s 69, a disparity that ultimately decided the game.
Read More About: Kansas City Chiefs Vs Steelers Match Player Stats
The Verdict
The Jayden Daniels era has officially arrived in the postseason. By avenging their Week 1 loss, the Commanders have proven they are no longer a “developmental” team but a legitimate NFC threat. For the Buccaneers, the loss marks the end of a resilient season, but the record-setting efficiency of Baker Mayfield suggests their window is far from closed. Washington now heads to Detroit for a Divisional Round clash with the Lions.
FAQ Section
Who won the Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers match?
The Washington Commanders won the match 23-20 in the NFC Wild Card round, securing their first playoff victory since 2005.
What was the turning point of the game?
The turning point was Washington’s ability to convert three 4th-down attempts and record zero punts. This allowed them to control the clock for over 35 minutes and keep the explosive Bucs offense on the sideline.
How many yards did Jayden Daniels have?
In the washington commanders vs tampa bay buccaneers match player stats, Jayden Daniels recorded 268 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 36 rushing yards, posting a passer rating over 100 in his playoff debut.
Would you like me to analyze the Commanders’ upcoming matchup against the Lions or take a deeper look at Terry McLaurin’s career playoff stats?
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