Jayden Daniels put on a stellar performance, leading the Washington Commanders to a playoff victory against Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite a slow start, Daniels showcased his talent, completing over 68% of his passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Washington's defense capitalized on Mayfield's fumble, securing the win and advancing to the divisional round.
The first half ended in a draw, 10-10, as predicted. Tampa Bay targeted Jayden Daniels early, but the No. 2 overall pick stood firm and scored the first touchdown of the game, a 10-yard pass to Dyami Brown.Baker Mayfield and Bucky Irving had a slow start, but the former led a two-minute drill that culminated in a short touchdown to the reliable Mike Evans, tying the game just before halftime.In the second half, Daniels elevated his performance despite a lackluster rushing attack.
Mayfield and Irving showed some improvement, but an early fumble by Mayfield in the fourth quarter shifted the momentum in Washington's favor. After Denver Broncos rookie Bo Nix exited the first game of the day, Daniels ensured that a first-year quarterback would be represented in the divisional round. The No. 2 overall pick completed 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions while rushing for 36 yards on 13 attempts. He didn't receive the best support on the ground, with Austin Ekeler gaining 27 yards on eight carries and Brian Robinson Jr. managing 16 yards on 10 attempts. Brown and Terry McLaurin were the recipients of both touchdowns thrown by Daniels. Daniels' performance propelled Washington to its first playoff victory since 2005. If the Commanders can effectively build around him, they may have something special developing.Amidst a career regular season, Mayfield once again demonstrated why he isn't a suitable QB1. He may be capable of leading a Tampa Bay team in a weak NFC South into the playoffs, but when it comes to stepping up in crucial moments, he hasn't delivered consistently. Mayfield completed 15 of 18 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. These aren't necessarily poor numbers, and Washington successfully controlled the clock late, but Mayfield was also responsible for the game-changing fumble. Tampa Bay appeared on track to win before that decisive play. Tampa Bay will likely bring him back as the QB1 next season, but losing to a rookie in his playoff debut won't help his reputation if the Bucs are aiming to be serious contenders. Washington's reward for advancing past the wild card is a trip to Detroit, where the top-seeded Lions await. The Lions may have a depleted defense, but the Commanders don't possess enough offensive firepower to pose a significant threat against Detroit's top-ranked offense. Washington gave them a run for their money last season but ultimately fell short. Washington may not prevail, but the experience could be equally valuable if they learn from it
COMMANDERS MAYFIELD DANIELS PLAYOFFS BUCCANEERS
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