The scoreboard operator might need to get a stretch in before the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Commanders kick off for their NFC wild-card matchup in Tampa on Sunday night. This game features two of the league’s highest-scoring offenses, with the Buccaneers ranking fourth (29.5 ppg) and the Commanders finishing the season fifth (28.5 ppg) during the regular season. Both clubs are hot entering the postseason as well, with Tampa Bay having won six of seven down the stretch to overcome Atlanta and win the NFC South, and Washington closing the regular season on a five-game winning streak that included toppling the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jayden Daniels is nearly a lock for the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, throwing for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdown passes, while also leading the Commanders — and ranking second in the NFL among quarterbacks — in rushing yards with 891. His quarterback counterpart Baker Mayfield also logged some impressive numbers this season with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes, both career bests for the seventh-year pro.
How to watch Commanders vs. Buccaneers NFC wild-card game
Time: 8 pm ET Location: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa Channel: NBC Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
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Mayfield fumbles, Bobby Wagner recovers!!!
A DISASTER for the Buccaneers, and Baker Mayfield and Jalen McMillian’s timing was off, and the Commanders are back in the red zone in sudden change.
Commanders fail on 4th down from the 3-yard-line
It’s Washington’s third red zone trip without a touchdown tonight, and this one had a 1st and goal at the 1-yard-line. Brian Robinson going backward and three Jayden Daniels incompletions later, the Bucs have the ball — albeit on their own 3-yard-line — and the lead, early in the 4th quarter.
Zyon McCollum called for pass interference in the end zone, Commanders get it at the 1-yard-line
Gigantic penalty on the first play of the 4th quarter, and Washington is in business.
End of 3rd quarter: Buccaneers 17, Commanders 13
The Buccaneers hold a 17-13 lead after three quarters against the Commanders. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
It’s been a good one in Tampa, with the Bucs and Commanders trading second half scores in a 17-13 games. Both offenses have had some bright spots after halftime, and it’ made for a see-saw battle at Raymond James Stadium.
Daniels to Ertz on 4th down
The Commanders go for it as much as anyone in the league and in no-man’s-land, this 4th and 5 was a no brainer. Huge play by the rookie QB to the veteran safety blanket tight end.
Washington is back into Tampa Bay territory
It took just three plays, but a holding penalty on Jamel Dean, a Jayden Daniels run, and a drop in the bucket to Terry McLaurin and the Commanders are at the Bucs’ 42. The game has gotten very up-and-down the field since the start of the 3rd quarter
Lucky Bucky! Touchdown Bucs!
Baker Mayfield finds his running back for the passing TD. Assist to Jalen McMillian for the rub (or pick if you’re a defensive player) to get Irving open and it’s 17-13 Tampa Bay with 4:31 to play in the fourth quarter.
Tampa Bay driving to answer
The Bucs have some CHUNK plays on this drive. First Mike Evans beat Marshon Lattimore to pick up 19 in the pass game, and Bucky Irving ripped off runs of 18 and 10 yards and the Bucs are inside the 10-yard-line.
Zane Gonzalez makes the 22-yarder to give Washington a 13-10 lead
It’s the second time the Commanders have been in the red zone and not gotten a touchdown. With how Tampa Bay moved the ball late in the first half, certainly the Commanders will like that there are more points on the board, but they will wind up kicking themselves if this turns into a touchdown fest in the second half after they couldn’t cash in a goal-to-go situation to open the third quarter.
Jamel with a HUGE PBU in the end zone
The Commanders will settle for a field goal attempt after the breakup intended for Terry McLaurin.
Commanders on the march to open the 2nd half
Dyami Brown, welcome to The Show. The rookie has been big tonight and has catches of 30 and 24 yards on this opening drive of the second half.
Halftime: Commanders 10, Buccaneers 10
The Commanders were in control for much of the first half, but a late surge from the Bucs on a good drive ended with a Mike Evans touchdown catch, and we’re even at the half. Business picked up in the second quarter and the Commanders will receive the second half kickoff.
Mike Evans and the Buccaneers tied the game up with Washington 10-10 just before halftime. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
Mike Evans’ Hall of Fame speech is going to be so much fun
He’s going to shout out a lot of quarterbacks … will he shout out Marshon Lattimore?
On a 3rd down, late in the first half, Baker Mayfield does WHAT?
If you’re not a Bucs fan, is there a little bit of you that wishes he could be the quarterback for your team?
Zane Gonzalez hits from 52, and Washington leads 10-3
The Commanders have been in control of this game, but they’re only ahead 10-3. They’ve run 34 plays to the Buccaneers’ 16, but there’s 1:52 on the clock and the Bucs have two timeouts before halftime.
Another Bucs penalty is a brutal call
Yaya Diaby sacked Jayden Daniels on a third down, but a defensive holding call in the secondary gave the Commanders a first down, and they’re on the move again and into to Bucs territory. Tampa has been flagged three times for 28 yards, and they’ve all been costly.
Bucs punt after penalty
Baker Mayfield has been OK in the early going, but the Bucs keep getting behind the sticks. A chop block cost the Buccaneers 15 yards, and they were also flagged for a holding penalty that was declined before punting the ball back to Washington. Midway through the 2nd quarter and the Commanders still lead 7-3.
Jayden Daniels hits Dyami Brown for the score
After stopping the bleeding, the Commanders cap a 17-play, 92-yard drive with a touchdown pass. That series took up more than nine minutes and with just under 9:30 to play in the first half, the Commanders have taken a 7-0 lead.
Can the Commanders sign Stitch Duran in the middle of the game? Asking for a friend
Daniels needs the cut man and we’re not even halfway through the bout.
Commanders go for it again near the 20, and pick it up
An inside give to Austin Ekeler gets the 4th and 1 and the Commanders are still on the move, at the 22.
