The Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills advanced in the NFL playoffs on Sunday with crucial victories that set the stage for exciting Divisional Round matchups next week.
The Commanders edged past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in a thrilling finish, thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and a game-winning 37-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez as time expired.
Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills delivered a dominant 31-7 performance against the Denver Broncos, and the Eagles overcame the Green Bay Packers 22-10 in a defensive battle.
Commanders End Playoff Drought
The Washington Commanders broke a long playoff drought, securing their first postseason win since 2006. Rookie sensation Jayden Daniels shone, throwing two touchdown passes in a closely contested matchup against the Buccaneers. After an early tie at halftime, Washington capitalized on a Baker Mayfield fumble in the fourth quarter, with Bobby Wagner’s recovery setting up a crucial touchdown by Terry McLaurin.
The Buccaneers responded with a field goal to tie the game at 20-20, but Gonzalez’s decisive kick, which bounced in off a post, clinched the victory for the Commanders, who have thrived on late-game heroics this season.
Jayden Daniels, noted for his performance, urged his team post-match to take it ‘one play at a time’ as the Commanders look to reach past the upcoming Divisional Round for the first time in 25 years.
Bills Dominate Broncos
The Buffalo Bills showcased their offensive depth against the Denver Broncos. Quarterback Josh Allen led the charge with 272 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a series of critical rushing plays. James Cook added to Buffalo’s dominance with 120 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Denver opened strong with rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Troy Franklin but struggled to maintain momentum. A missed field goal before halftime and mounting pressure from Buffalo’s relentless offense sealed Denver’s fate.
Buffalo now faces the Baltimore Ravens in a highly anticipated Divisional Round matchup, where Allen will face MVP rival Lamar Jackson. The Ravens handed the Bills a 35-10 defeat earlier this season, adding intrigue to the rematch.
After the match, Bills tackle Dion Dawkins stated his team was feeling ‘relaxed confidence’ ahead of the upcoming tie.
Eagles Advance Despite Struggles
The Philadelphia Eagles survived a gritty clash against the Green Bay Packers, advancing with a 22-10 victory. Despite a rocky performance from quarterback Jalen Hurts, who recently returned from concussion, the Eagles relied on running back Saquon Barkley’s 119 rushing yards to secure the win.
Green Bay’s struggles were apparent early, with a fumbled kickoff leading to a quick touchdown by Jahan Dotson. Quarterback Jordan Love’s three interceptions and multiple injuries to key players, including receivers Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, hampered the Packers’ efforts.
While the Eagles’ defense excelled, their offense will need significant improvement heading into the next round.
Lane Johnson was very honest in his assestment after the game, claiming his team will need to ‘fix some mistakes’ if they’re to progress much further.
Looking Ahead
Wildcard Weekend concludes Monday with the Los Angeles Rams facing the Minnesota Vikings to determine the final Divisional Round participant. With high-stakes matchups on the horizon, the playoffs promise to deliver even more action and drama.
