Buccaneers vs. Commanders Wild Card Spherical Recap: Bucs bounced out of playoffs after 23-20 loss

Welcome to the playoffs. Soccer is a recreation of inches, however it’s additionally a recreation of quarters. Let’s dive right into a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of some postseason Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ soccer. The 2024-2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it into the match. From this level ahead no extra video games are assured, every future contest should be earned— Spherical one, the Washington Commanders.

First Quarter:

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs

Starting on offense, the Bucs appeared like they nonetheless thought they wanted to get Mike Evans to his 1,000-yard milestone. Beginning with a toss to Evans on the primary play of the sport, the receiver tallied 34 whole yards earlier than the sport’s introductory drive ended with three Chase McLaughlin factors. 3-0, Bucs.

Second Quarter:

With quarter quantity two getting underway, Washington had possession in Tampa Bay territory and a fast first down. Confronted with their second fourth down of the sport, Dan Quinn stayed aggressive. Opting to go away his offense on the sector once more can be a call that will show fruitful— A brand new set of downs and in the end a landing would observe. 17 performs, 92 yards and a large open landing cross the place broad is perhaps a big understatement. Jayden Daniels to Dyami Brown and the Commanders grabbed the lead. 7-3, Washington.

One other Buccaneers’ kick arrange the Commanders to reply with a kick of their very own. Sadly, for Buccaneers’ followers the Bucs’ kick left the foot of Jack Browning, Washington’s was off the toe of Zane Gonzalez— extending their lead. 10-3, Commanders.

Photograph by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Photographs

Evoking flashbacks of final week’s recreation in opposition to New Orleans, Baker Mayfield took off up the center scrambling previous and thru defenders for a team-uplifting first down. Tampa Bay took that momentum and ran with it. Liam Coen and Baker Mayfield gave all these in attendance what they got here to see, Mike Evans in opposition to Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore will get a major quantity of credit score for his play in opposition to Evans. Previous to tonight, the 2 had solely met up as soon as earlier than within the postseason. In that matchup, Evans got here away with a pivotal rating. Tonight’s matchup can be noteworthy as a result of it might mark the primary time the 2 would go well with up with out the remainder of the New Orleans Saints’ protection. Minus a robust defensive unit, who the Buccaneers have had team-wide struggles in opposition to, Lattimore versus Evans appeared like a little bit of a mismatch for the higher a part of the primary half. Evans put an exclamation level on the top of that assertion with the final three performs of the half, ending with three straight passes despatched in his course— A catch, a cross interference, after which a second catch. That second seize put Evans ultimately zone and tied the sport at 10. Evans completed the half with 5 catches for 66 yards and a landing.

Third Quarter:

Washington’s offense can be first up within the second half. A promising drive took them down contained in the Tampa Bay five-yard line the place the Buccaneers’ protection deployed a Todd Bowles basic— Bend however don’t break. Three factors gave Washington the lead however concurrently exist as a missed alternative within the context of the second. 13-10, Washington. For the Buccaneers, the subsequent 10 performs have been an attractive artistry. Tampa took the ball 72 yards, in slightly below six minutes. Baker Mayfield continued to seek out Mike Evans, working his matchup in opposition to Lattimore, however Liam Coen turned to his working recreation— Sticking with what ‘brung’ them. Coen remembering what the staple of his offense has been led to a Bucky Irving landing and 7 extra Tampa Bay Buccaneer factors. 17-13, Bucs.

Fourth Quarter:

On a drive that started late in quarter quantity three, Washington started the ultimate interval of regulation with the ball and a Zyon McCollum cross interference penalty. The penalty gave Washington a primary and aim, only a yard from six factors. Tampa’s protection then preceded to placed on a repeat efficiency— Getting a aim line stand, this time Washington had little interest in taking a brief area aim. Their resolution to go for it on fourth down would show expensive, an incomplete cross, no factors on the board, and Buccaneers’ ball.

The failed fourth down would result in a really short-lived journey to the bench for Jayden Daniels as simply 4 performs later Washington would take possession again on a fumbled handoff between Baker Mayfield and Jalen McMillan. Bobby Wagner’s restoration handed Washington a replica situation, fourth down, with the choice to kick a brief area aim or go for broke. As soon as once more, Dan Quinn confirmed religion in his offense— This time he was rewarded. Jayden Daniels dropped again and located Terry McLaurin for a landing. 20-17, Washington.

Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photographs

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay offense have been in a position to regroup and work their method again into Chase McLaughlin’s vary, nonetheless, the curious sequence that performed out main as much as his kick could play out for a very long time within the thoughts’s of Tampa Bay followers— A peculiar Baker Mayfield run up the center the place he appeared to have wished at hand the ball off to Bucky Irving previous to maintaining it himself netted zero yards. On the subsequent play, Graham Barton seemingly snapped the ball previous to Baker Mayfield or any of his fellow teammates being ready to run a play. With the timing severely thrown off, Bucky Irving’s run was shutdown for a loss and Tampa Bay was compelled to accept area aim. 20-20, tie.

Washington, with two timeouts and a quarterback who has confirmed to be a clutch performer in end-of-game conditions, had an opportunity at their storybook ending. The Commanders have been throughout midfield earlier than the two-minute warning put a paused on the motion. Publish the two-minute break, Washington broke the brink of area aim vary. Zane Gonzalez trotted out for a 37-yard area aim and the victory. 23-20, Washington advances.

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