The Washington Commanders never had a big year like this in a long while, and the new iteration of the capital’s biggest team has managed to make the most of their chance as they closed out the doors on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to punch their ticket for the Divisional Rounds after a convincing 23-20 win.

Jayden Daniels became the first rookie to win a playoff game on the road ever since Russell Wilson led Seattle to pull off a win 12 years ago. Before Daniels and the Commanders, rookie quarterbacks have been really hapless on the road, and yet Daniels has bested one of the elite quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield – taking out the Buccaneers of the equation once more.

For the first time since 2006, the Commanders have now advanced to the NFL Divisional Round after a promising win. Daniels has now managed to deliver and establish his presence in the playoff stage – and in impressive fashion. Now he sets his eyes on the bigger stage as the Commanders now gears up to meet the Detroit Lions in their next game.

The Closing Play

Tampa Bay grabbed a 17-13 lead to end the third quarter thanks to a touchdown by Baker Mayfield on his pass to Bucky Irving. However, Washington would go on to retake the lead and position themselves in a winning point. However, Chase McLaughlin was forced to take a 32-yard field goal, tying up the game at 20-20 with four minutes to play.

The Commanders had the final possession with just a minute left in the game. Jayden Daniels was hoping to seal the deal with a touchdown pass, but instead went on to go for a yard gain in the first down – which was a critical play. This would go on to bring the Commanders in the perfect position to win the game and close out a massive campaign.

Daniels ran for the first down before the Commanders called timeout with just three seconds to play. Then, Zane Gonzalez came to the field – who was a perfect 2/2 from the field prior to that final shot, and his kick clanged off the right upright before going through as time waned – signalling that the Commanders have finally won.

Daniels finished this game with a bang, and now joins CJ Stroud and Brock Purdy as the only rookie QBs to win playoff games in the last three years.

Coincidental Histories

The Washington Commanders have not won a single postseason game since taking down Buccaneers on the road 17-10 in a Wild Card game in January 2006. Coincidentally, the Buccaneers crashed Daniels’ first game and the Commanders season opener with a 37-20 victory this season.

Coincidentally, Washington defeated Tampa Bay once more to earn its Divisional Round. Jayden Daniels led the way with 268 yards and two touchdowns – and the Commanders amassed a total of 350 yards to the Bucs’ 284. It was a landmark win, and history does have something against the Buccaneers and siding in the Commanders’ favor.

"It means a lot," Daniel said during his on-field, postgame interview on NBC. "Our fans are over there waiting for us. They've waited a long time for this feeling, so I'm just so happy for them."

Now, the next challenge for Daniels is to battle Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions – who have been praised for having a high-octane offense and one of the tightest defense in the league as of the time of writing.