Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats

The Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats in an electrifying NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 12, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium. The Commanders pulled off a nail-biting 23-20 victory, thanks to a last-second field goal by Zane Gonzalez that clanged off the upright. This game was a showcase of standout performances, critical plays, and a rookie quarterback who proved he’s a superstar in the making. In this article, we’ll break down the key player stats, highlight top performers, and provide an easy-to-read table for fans of all ages to enjoy. Let’s dive into the numbers and stories behind this unforgettable matchup!

Game Overview: A Back-and-Forth Battle Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats

The Commanders, with a 12-5 regular-season record, entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, while the Buccaneers, who clinched the NFC South with a 10-7 record, were the No. 3 seed. This game marked Washington’s first playoff appearance in four years and their first postseason win since 2006—against the same Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. The contest lived up to its hype, with lead changes, clutch plays, and a dramatic finish.

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders with poise beyond his years, while Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans put up a valiant fight. Turnovers, fourth-down conversions, and a fierce defensive battle kept fans on the edge of their seats. Below, we’ll explore the stats that defined the game and the players who made it happen.

Key Player Stats: Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels (Quarterback)

Jayden Daniels was the heartbeat of the Commanders’ offense. The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner and likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year showed why he’s the cornerstone of Washington’s turnaround. In his first playoff start, Daniels delivered a stellar performance:

• Passing: 24-of-35 completions (68.6%) for 268 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions

• Rushing: 13 carries for 36 yards

• Notable Plays: A 10-yard touchdown pass to Dyami Brown in the second quarter and a 5-yard touchdown to Terry McLaurin on fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter.

Daniels’ ability to stay calm under pressure was evident in the final drive. With the score tied at 20-20, he converted a third-and-6 with a 21-yard pass to Dyami Brown and later ran for a critical first down on third-and-1, stiff-arming defender Calijah Kancey to set up Gonzalez’s game-winning field goal. Daniels became the first rookie quarterback since Russell Wilson (2012) to lead his team to a road playoff win and joined an elite group of rookies with 250+ passing yards in their postseason debut.

Terry McLaurin (Wide Receiver)

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was Daniels’ go-to target, stepping up in clutch moments. His stats reflect his impact:

• Receiving: 89 yards on 6 catches, 1 touchdown

• Key Moment: A 5-yard touchdown catch on fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter, giving Washington a 20-17 lead.

McLaurin’s reliability and ability to make tough catches helped sustain drives, especially in the second half when the game tightened. His chemistry with Daniels was a major factor in Washington’s offensive success.

Dyami Brown (Wide Receiver)

Dyami Brown, a fourth-year receiver, had a breakout performance in his first playoff game. His speed and work ethic, which caught coach Dan Quinn’s eye during the offseason, paid off:

• Receiving: 89 yards on 5 catches, 1 touchdown

• Highlight: A 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter to open the scoring and a 21-yard catch on third-and-6 during the game-winning drive.

Brown’s emergence as a reliable target added depth to Washington’s passing game, taking pressure off McLaurin.

Zane Gonzalez (Kicker)

Kicker Zane Gonzalez was the unsung hero, delivering under immense pressure. His stats tell the story:

• Field Goals: 3-for-3, including a 52-yarder in the second quarter, a 22-yarder in the third, and the 37-yard game-winner as time expired.

• Extra Points: 2-for-2

Gonzalez’s 52-yard field goal was his longest since 2021, and his game-winner, which bounced off the upright, sent Washington to the Divisional Round. He became the first Commanders kicker with 3+ field goals in a playoff game since Chip Lohmiller in Super Bowl XXVI.

Bobby Wagner (Linebacker)

Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner provided leadership and a game-changing play on defense:

• Tackles: 75 solo tackles in the regular season, plus a critical fumble recovery in the fourth quarter

• Sacks: 0.5 sacks in the game, his first postseason sack since 2000 for a Washington player.

Wagner’s recovery of a Baker Mayfield fumble at the Tampa Bay 13-yard line set up Washington’s go-ahead touchdown. His experience was invaluable for a young Commanders defense.

Dorance Armstrong (Defensive End)

Defensive end Dorance Armstrong contributed to the pass rush:

• Tackles: 4

• Sacks: 0.5, his first career postseason sack

Armstrong’s pressure helped disrupt Mayfield’s rhythm, especially in key moments.

Key Player Stats: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Baker Mayfield (Quarterback)

Baker Mayfield played inspired football for most of the game, but a critical mistake cost Tampa Bay dearly. His stats were impressive despite the loss:

• Passing: 15-of-18 completions (83.3%) for 185 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 146.5 passer rating

• Rushing: 18 yards on 3 carries, including a highlight-reel 18-yard run on third down

• Turnover: A fumbled handoff to Jalen McMillan in the fourth quarter, recovered by Bobby Wagner

Mayfield’s touchdowns included a 1-yard pass to Mike Evans and a 4-yard pass to Bucky Irving. His high completion rate and efficiency kept Tampa Bay in the game, but the fumble after a goal-line stand shifted momentum to Washington.

Mike Evans (Wide Receiver)

Mike Evans dominated his matchup against Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore, reigniting their NFC South rivalry:

• Receiving: 7 catches for 92 yards, 1 touchdown

• Key Plays: A 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter and a 23-yard gain in the first quarter.

Evans caught all seven targets, drawing two pass interference penalties on Lattimore, including one in the end zone that set up his touchdown. His physicality and route-running made him Tampa Bay’s top offensive weapon.

Bucky Irving (Running Back)

Rookie running back Bucky Irving was a bright spot for Tampa Bay’s ground game:

• Rushing: 62 yards on 9 carries (regular-season context, as game-specific rushing stats were limited)

• Receiving: 1 catch for a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter

• Notable Runs: Gains of 5, 6, 19, and 10 yards on a third-quarter drive

Irving’s shifty footwork helped Tampa Bay respond to Washington’s third-quarter field goal, but the Bucs’ rushing attack was limited to 82 total yards by a stout Commanders defense.

Chase McLaughlin (Kicker)

Kicker Chase McLaughlin was reliable for Tampa Bay:

• Field Goals: 2-for-2, including a 50-yarder in the first quarter and a 32-yarder to tie the game at 20-20 in the fourth quarter

• Extra Points: 2-for-2

McLaughlin’s clutch kicking kept Tampa Bay competitive, but a missed opportunity at the Commanders’ 12-yard line (settling for a field goal) proved costly.

Jalen McMillan (Wide Receiver)

Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan had a mixed performance:

• Receiving: 2 catches for 26 yards, including a 26-yard gain in the fourth quarter

• Turnover: Involved in the fumbled handoff with Mayfield, leading to Washington’s go-ahead score

McMillan showed promise but will likely remember the fumble as a learning moment.

Team Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats Comparison

Here’s a quick look at how the teams stacked up:

Category	Commanders	Buccaneers
Total Yards	350	267
Passing Yards	268	185
Rushing Yards	82	82
First Downs	22	18
Third-Down Conversions	6/13 (46%)	5/10 (50%)
Fourth-Down Conversions	3/5 (60%)	0/0 (0%)
Turnovers	0	1 (fumble)
Time of Possession	34:19	25:41

The Commanders’ edge in time of possession and fourth-down conversions (a franchise playoff record of 3) was crucial. Their 17-play, 92-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter ate up nine minutes, wearing down Tampa Bay’s defense. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers’ fumble and penalties (including two pass interference calls on Lattimore) hurt their chances.

Standout Moments and Game-Changers

1. Daniels’ Fourth-Down Touchdown: With Washington trailing 17-13 in the fourth quarter, coach Dan Quinn went for it on fourth-and-2 from the Bucs’ 5-yard line. Daniels delivered, hitting McLaurin for the go-ahead score.

2. Mayfield’s Fumble: After Tampa Bay’s defense stopped Washington at the goal line, Mayfield’s botched handoff to McMillan was recovered by Wagner, leading to the Commanders’ touchdown.

3. Gonzalez’s Game-Winner: The 37-yard field goal that hit the upright and went through as time expired sealed Washington’s first playoff win in 19 years.

4. Evans vs. Lattimore: Evans’ dominance over Lattimore, including a touchdown and two penalties drawn, kept Tampa Bay’s offense alive.

5. Commanders’ Rushing Struggles: Tampa Bay’s fourth-ranked run defense held Washington to 82 yards, forcing Daniels to rely on his arm.

Why This Game Mattered

For Washington, this victory was more than a playoff win—it was a statement. The Commanders, who went 4-13 in 2023, transformed under new ownership (led by Josh Harris), GM Adam Peters, and coach Dan Quinn. Daniels’ emergence as a dual-threat quarterback and the team’s winning culture shift have fans dreaming of a deep playoff run. The Commanders now face the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

For Tampa Bay, the loss marked the end of a solid season. Despite injuries to their secondary (Jordan Whitehead, Bryce Hall, and Christian Izien were out), the Bucs fought hard. Mayfield’s growth and Evans’ brilliance gave fans plenty to cheer for, but self-inflicted wounds like penalties and the fumble proved fatal. The Bucs will regroup for 2025 with the 19th pick in the NFL Draft.

Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats Table: Easy-to-Read Breakdown

Below is a clear and simple table summarizing the top performers’ stats. Perfect for fans of all ages to understand the game’s key contributors!

Player	Team	Position	Stats
Jayden Daniels	Commanders	QB	24/35, 268 pass yds, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 36 rush yds
Terry McLaurin	Commanders	WR	6 rec, 89 yds, 1 TD
Dyami Brown	Commanders	WR	5 rec, 89 yds, 1 TD
Zane Gonzalez	Commanders	K	3/3 FG (52, 22, 37 yds), 2/2 XP
Bobby Wagner	Commanders	LB	0.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery
Dorance Armstrong	Commanders	DE	4 tackles, 0.5 sacks
Baker Mayfield	Buccaneers	QB	15/18, 185 pass yds, 2 TDs, 0 INT, 18 rush yds, 1 fumble
Mike Evans	Buccaneers	WR	7 rec, 92 yds, 1 TD
Bucky Irving	Buccaneers	RB	1 rec, 4 yds, 1 TD; 62 rush yds (season context)
Chase McLaughlin	Buccaneers	K	2/2 FG (50, 32 yds), 2/2 XP
Jalen McMillan	Buccaneers	WR	2 rec, 26 yds, 1 fumble (on handoff)

What’s Next for Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats Both Teams?

The Commanders head to Detroit to face the Lions’ high-powered offense led by Jared Goff. Daniels’ dual-threat ability and Quinn’s aggressive play-calling will be tested against the NFC’s top seed. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay will focus on the offseason, addressing their secondary injuries and building around Mayfield, Evans, and young talents like Irving and McMillan.

Final Thoughts

The Washington Commanders vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers Match Player Stats was a classic, defined by Jayden Daniels’ poise, Mike Evans’ dominance, and Zane Gonzalez’s clutch kick. The player stats tell a story of resilience, big plays, and costly mistakes. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to football, this game was a reminder of why the NFL playoffs are so thrilling. Stay tuned for more Commanders action as they chase a Super Bowl, and let’s see what the Bucs bring in 2025!