The Washington Commanders (12-5) travel to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers (10-7) and escape the cold on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. The Commanders and Buccaneers playoff game is on NBC and will get massive viewership in the playoff-starved Washington D.C. area. The game is the second meeting between the teams. Washington traveled to Tampa to take on the Buccaneers in the first week of the National Football League season and lost 37-20. It is a much different Commanders team and Tampa should not be overconfident. The Commanders are the No. 6 seed, and the Buccaneers are the No.3 seed.
Weather will not be a factor in Tampa as the temperature should be higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit at game time, and there is a slight chance of precipitation. Tampa is favored in the matchup by 3.5 points and the over/under is 42.5. Even though the Commanders lost in their trip to Tampa Bay in the first week of the season, this Washington team has gelled since the first week. The Commanders should win this game even though they are not favored. Jayden Daniels, the Commanders’ rookie quarterback should be the difference in this game.
Washington Commanders Keys To Victory
The Commanders played well this season because of the play of their rookie quarterback sensation. He needs to play well on the national stage for Washington to win. The Commanders should win this game if they make some big plays in the passing game, which they are capable of doing. It would also be helpful if the Commanders could rush the football. That would help to control the ball. Their defense needs to play well and control Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield.
The Commanders ranked 13th in the all-important time of possession metric in the National Football League. Tampa Bay ranked second, so Washington needs to do a good job of possessing the ball.
Washington’s Important Players
For the Commanders it all starts and ends with Jayden Daniels. It is critical to point out that Daniels has a full season under his belt. The best wide receiver for the Commanders is Terry McLaurin. Expect Daniels to run around and hit receivers, like Mclaurin, for big plays.
Other crucial players for Washington are their Running Backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Ekeler has been out of the lineup with a concussion but should play. The Washington defense needs to play well and get off the field against a Tampa Bay team that is good at possessing the ball. The Washington defense also needs to limit Mayfield. It will be imperative for the Commanders to limit penalties and turnovers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Keys To Victory
The Buccaneers are slight favorites at home and will win (like the first matchup) as long as they do not hurt themselves with penalties and turnovers. Tampa should also possess the ball, as that is necessary to win in the playoffs. The Buccaneers need to use their quarterback to run and get first downs and they need to hand the ball to their all-world rookie running back for him to shine.
On defense, the Buccaneers must contain Washington Quarterback Jayden Daniels and they must stop the run and get off the field. It would help TO get a big play on special teams, and their placekicker Chase McLaughlin.
Buccaneers Important Players
The most important player for the team is Quarterback Baker Mayfield. He is a dual-threat quarterback and a dangerous runner who has a history of extending plays for his long career. Mayfield is helped by rookie Running Back Bucky Irving. He was great this year, delighting fantasy football players with him on their teams across the nation.
It would be helpful if Tampa hit some big plays to its wide receivers, including longtime star Mike Evans. The Tampa defense needs to play well and contain Daniels. Every player on their defense is important, especially the ones who spy Daniels. The Buccaneers need to avoid costly mistakes like penalties and turnovers.
Conclusion
This is a playoff game that the road underdog can win and it is likely the Commanders will travel to Tampa Bay and upset the Buccaneers. To do so, Washington needs Quarterback Jayden Daniels to play well, maybe his best game all season. It would be helpful if Washington could run the ball, play good defense, and avoid turnovers. If Washington does these things Tampa Bay will be in trouble at home.
