Jayden Daniels’ rookie season goes so nicely that it is smart that he sees Sunday evening’s playoff contest as “simply one other recreation.”
Maybe Daniels will really feel in another way as soon as the ball is kicked off as he makes an attempt to guide the sixth-seeded Commanders previous the third-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card recreation at Tampa, Fla.
The Commanders (12-5) enter the postseason with a five-game profitable streak and received 12 regular-season video games — simply the fourth time in franchise historical past that Washington has received at the very least a dozen contests.
That success primarily is as a result of multi-faceted quarterback who was drafted second total. Daniels handed for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns towards 9 interceptions and in addition rushed for 891 yards and 6 scores.
“It is thrilling, however you bought to take care of these feelings,” Daniels instructed reporters. “On the finish of the day, you bought to go on the market and play ball. Lots of people are going to place a number of emphasis on it as a result of at this level, it is actually win or go house.”
The Washington franchise hasn’t received a playoff recreation for the reason that 2005 season when Corridor of Fame member Joe Gibbs was its head coach. Coincidentally, that triumph got here at Tampa Bay, 17-10 within the wild-card spherical.
The next week, Washington misplaced to the Seattle Seahawks within the divisional spherical to start out a five-game postseason dropping streak.
The newest playoff loss got here within the 2020 season — once more versus the Bucs. Tampa Bay received that wild-card matchup 31-23 at Washington.
The 2 groups met in September in Daniels’ NFL debut. Daniels rushed for 2 touchdowns however did not throw for any in a 37-20 highway loss. The Buccaneers had the warmer quarterback as Baker Mayfield accomplished 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Commanders coach Dan Quinn hasn’t forgotten the best way Tampa Bay moved the ball at will. He is additionally conscious the Buccaneers (10-7) enter the postseason with six victories of their previous seven video games.
“I believe they’ve simply had a unbelievable yr,” Quinn stated. “I believe (Mayfield) has at all times been capable of rip it and been aggressive in and outdoors the pocket. Having the run recreation steadiness for them, I believe that is what units their offense aside this yr.
“The addition of (Bucky) Irving, their run recreation, the play go that goes with it that’s a formidable factor.”
Mayfield established profession highs of 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns this season whereas being intercepted 16 occasions.
Irving, a rookie, has excelled for the Buccaneers. The fourth-round draft choose has rushed for 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns.
Tampa Bay is within the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season and second time below Mayfield. The Buccaneers beat the Philadelphia Eagles within the wild-card spherical final season earlier than dropping to the Detroit Lions within the divisional spherical.
“You are excited to get to the playoffs and also you’re excited for the subsequent alternative and attending to play with this group assured for yet another time,” Mayfield instructed reporters. “That is the mentality going into it however apart from that, preparation-wise you do not need to psych all people out. You need to deal with it one of the simplest ways you possibly can however just a bit bit extra consideration to element and making certain the truth that all people is on the identical web page and may deal with issues appropriately.”
The sport may change into an offensive showcase as Tampa Bay ranks fourth in scoring at 29.5 factors per recreation and Washington stands fifth at 28.5.
“It is (about) mentality for us, discover any approach to win, whether or not the sport is a shootout, whether or not it is low scoring,” Mayfield stated. “Make the performs that matter when it counts.”
Tampa Bay standout security Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) was a full apply participant Wednesday and is predicted to return after a four-game absence. Tight finish Cade Otton (knee) was restricted and will return after lacking three video games.
Washington hopes to have cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) again after a two-game absence. He was restricted Wednesday, as was middle Tyler Biadasz (ankle), who missed the regular-season finale towards the Dallas Cowboys.
–Discipline Degree Media
