Washington Commander's kicker Zane Gonzalez was celebrated by his teammates after securing a game-winning field goal during their NFL wild-card playoff match against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The dramatic finish took place in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday, January 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
The Washington Commanders clinched their first playoff win since 2005, edging past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in an electrifying NFC wild-card game Sunday night in Tampa. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels played a pivotal role, leading his team to a last-minute victory. With a bloodied face and a bandage under his eye, Daniels showed resilience, securing a crucial first down that setup kicker Zane Gonzalez’s game-winning 37-yard field goal as the clock expired.
The Commanders’ (13-5) triumph sends them to the divisional round, where they will face the top-seeded Detroit Lions. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers (10-8) faltered in critical moments, including a failed attempt to gain a single yard on two tries late in the game. Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield struggled, with a key turnover sealing Tampa Bay's fate.
Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns, joining an elite group of rookie quarterbacks who’ve won playoff games in recent years, including C.J. Stroud and Brock Purdy.
Bills Dominate Broncos with Balanced Attack
In Orchard Park, the Buffalo Bills cruised to a commanding 31-7 victory over the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Josh Allen led the charge with two touchdown passes, while James Cook added 120 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Bills’ offence clicked on all cylinders, scoring on six of their first seven drives and dominating time of possession by 23 minutes.
Despite a promising opening drive by Denver, capped by rookie Bo Nix’s 43-yard touchdown pass, the Broncos couldn’t keep pace. Allen’s precision, highlighted by a 24-yard touchdown pass to Ty Johnson on a gutsy fourth-and-1 play, put Buffalo firmly in control. A 55-yard completion to Curtis Samuel in the fourth quarter sealed the win.
Now headed to their fifth consecutive divisional round, the Bills will face the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
Eagles Soar Past Packers with Stellar Defence
The Philadelphia Eagles relied on their league-best defence and steady performance from quarterback Jalen Hurts to beat the Green Bay Packers 22-10 in a wild-card playoff showdown in Philadelphia. Hurts, returning from a three-week layoff due to a concussion, threw two touchdown passes, including a memorable 24-yard strike to Dallas Goedert, who bulldozed through defenders for the score.
The Eagles’ defence was relentless, forcing three turnovers and limiting Green Bay’s offence. They turned a fumble on the opening kickoff into an early touchdown and intercepted Packers quarterback Jordan Love twice in the first half. Love, nursing a sore elbow, threw for 212 yards but struggled against Philadelphia’s aggressive defence.
The win advances the NFC East champions to the next round, where they’ll face either the L.A. Rams or Minnesota Vikings.
