The 2024 NFL Wild Card Round clash between the Washington Commanders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will forever be etched in football lore as the “Divisional Doink.” Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal, which ricocheted off the right upright and agonizingly through the crossbar, sealed a dramatic 23-20 victory for the Commanders, propelling them to the Divisional Round for the first time since 2005. The kick, which came with no time remaining on the clock, capped off a methodical, clock-draining drive orchestrated by the Commanders’ burgeoning star quarterback, Jayden Daniels.
Daniels, the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, displayed the poise and resilience of a seasoned veteran throughout the game, effectively neutralizing the pressure of a playoff environment on the road against a formidable Buccaneers team. He completed 24 of his 35 pass attempts for 268 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities with crucial runs that extended drives and kept the Commanders’ hopes alive. His performance solidified his status as the franchise quarterback, building upon a stellar regular season that signaled his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.
The Commanders’ game-winning drive, which began with 4:41 remaining in the fourth quarter after the Buccaneers had tied the score at 20-20, was a testament to their offensive efficiency and Daniels’ composure. Key plays, including a clutch 21-yard completion to Dyami Brown on third-and-6, kept the chains moving and the Buccaneers defense on their heels. Daniels’ ability to extend plays with his legs, exemplified by a crucial four-yard scramble on third-and-2 from the Buccaneers’ 19-yard line with just 55 seconds left, set the stage for Gonzalez’s dramatic, albeit fortunate, game-winner.
The game featured a pivotal momentum swing that ultimately proved costly for the Buccaneers. After their defense delivered a staunch goal-line stand, stopping the Commanders on fourth-and-goal at their own three-yard line, the Buccaneers seemed poised to seize control of the game. However, on just their fourth play following the turnover on downs, a botched fake handoff between quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie receiver Jalen McMillan resulted in a fumble that was recovered by the Commanders on the Buccaneers’ 11-yard line. Daniels capitalized on the turnover, connecting with Terry McLaurin for a five-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-2, reclaiming the lead for Washington.
The Buccaneers, led by Mayfield’s 185 passing yards and two touchdowns, along with Bucky Irving’s 77 rushing yards, fought valiantly but ultimately fell short. Mike Evans, the Buccaneers’ star receiver, contributed a touchdown and 92 receiving yards, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the Commanders’ resilience and Daniels’ clutch performance. The Buccaneers’ decision to settle for a game-tying field goal on their subsequent drive, rather than attempting a fourth-down conversion, proved to be a turning point, as they never regained possession of the ball.
The victory propelled the Commanders to a Divisional Round matchup against the top-seeded Detroit Lions, a challenging prospect given the Lions’ dominant regular season performance. While the Commanders entered the playoffs as the sixth seed, their upset victory over the Buccaneers demonstrated their potential to disrupt the playoff bracket. The stark contrast between their underdog status and the Lions’ home-field advantage set the stage for a compelling Divisional Round clash. Daniels’ emergence as a playoff-caliber quarterback and the Commanders’ ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes positioned them as a dangerous team with the potential to make a deep playoff run.
