Bucs fall to Commanders on field goal as time expires

<strong>Bucs fall to Commanders on field goal as time expires</strong>

Frank Pastor, Tampa Bay Times on Jan 13, 2025

Published in Football

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Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Washington Commanders to a 23-20 win over the Bucs in an NFC wild-card game Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium.

Gonzalez’s kick from the left hashmark hit the right upright and went over the crossbar, ending Tampa Bay’s season short of the division round for just the second time in the past five seasons.

Chase McLaughlin’s 32-yard field goal, his second of the game, had tied the game at 20 with 4:41 remaining.

The Commanders advanced to play the Lions in the division round Saturday night in Detroit, while the Bucs were left to lament a late gaffe that gave Washington new life.

A botched exchange between quarterback Baker Mayfield and receiver Jalen McMillan deep in Bucs territory early in the fourth quarter led to a touchdown that put the Commanders ahead 20-17. Jayden Daniels’ 5-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin on fourth and 2 gave Washington a 3-point lead with 9:46 remaining.

Mayfield completed 15 of 18 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans caught seven passes for 92 yards and a score. Bucky Irving ran for 77 yards on 17 carries and caught a touchdown pass.

Daniels finished 24-for-35 for 268 yards and two touchdowns. McLaurin made seven receptions for 89 yards. Dyami Brown also had 89 yards, on five catches.

Mayfield threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Evans with 10 seconds left in the second quarter, tying the game at 10 at halftime.

The score stopped a 10-point Washington run, highlighted by Daniels’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Brown early in the second quarter that gave the Commanders their first lead at 7-3. Washington converted three third downs and one fourth down on the 92-yard drive, which consumed 9:08.

Gonzalez’s second of three field goals, a 22-yarder early in the third quarter, gave the Commanders a 13-10 lead.

Mayfield’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Irving six minutes later put Tampa Bay back ahead 17-13.

The Bucs struck first on McLaughlin’s 50-yard field goal on their opening drive. Evans helped to set up the field goal with two receptions for 34 yards.

Daniels completed a 35-yard pass to McLaurin as the Commanders drove to the Bucs 20 on their first possession. But Washington went for it on fourth and 2, and Tampa Bay forced a turnover on downs.

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