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Commanders vs. Buccaneers live score, updates, highlights from NFL wild-card playoff game

Reaching the NFL playoffs as a rookie quarterback is difficult. Winning a playoff game as a rookie quarterback is even tougher.

Just 11 rookie QBs have ever earned a playoff win, but recent history tells Commanders star Jayden Daniels that it can be done. Brock Purdy won a pair of playoff games as a rookie seventh-round pick in 2022, while C.J. Stroud won his playoff debut a year ago. For Daniels, the moment has never looked too bright for him in his rookie campaign.

From game-winning drives against the Eagles and Falcons to a Hail Mary for the ages to beat the Bears, Daniels has shined the brightest in the biggest moments this season. The Buccaneers will put pressure on him to deliver again Sunday night, this time on the road.

STREAM: Watch Commanders vs. Buccaneers live with Fubo

Tampa Bay overcame a midseason slide to claim the NFC South once again, flashing a renewed sense of energy once Mike Evans returned from a hamstring injury. Baker Mayfield posted the first 40-touchdown season of his career, and the Buccaneers’ offense could present plenty of issues for Washington’s defense just as it did in a Week 1 win when these two teams met.

The Commanders are seeking their first playoff win in 19 years, while Mayfield is aiming to reach the divisional round for the third time in his career.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from the wild-card playoff game between the Commanders and Buccaneers. Follow along with the action below.

Commanders vs. Buccaneers live score

 

SN’s PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NFL scores | Full NFL schedule | Updated NFL bracket

Commanders vs. Buccaneers highlights from 2025 NFL wild-card playoff game

(All times Eastern)

Final: Commanders 23, Buccaneers 20

11:06 p.m. FIELD GOAL — A DIVISIONAL DOINK! Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal doinks in to send the Commanders to the divisional round and give the franchise its first playoff win in 19 years! It was never going to come easily, but Washington eliminates the Buccaneers and punches its ticket to Detroit.

11:03 p.m. — Daniels stays patient, Calijah Kancey misses him, and the Commanders can officially run this clock all the way down for a Zane Gonzalez field goal. They’re on the doorstep of their first playoff win in 19 years.

11:02 p.m. — The Commanders unsuccessfully try to draw Tampa Bay offsides before taking a timeout to think some more about the play.

10:58 p.m. — Ekeler goes for eight more yards, and now it’s just about comfortable field goal range for Zane Gonzalez. Washington will have a 3rd & 1 coming up to determine whether they can bleed the clock all the way down. 

10:57 p.m. — Daniels throws a risky pass right over YaYa Diaby and Ekeler takes it for 18 yards! The Commanders are into field goal range, and the Buccaneers are starting to use their timeouts. 

10:54 p.m. — It’ll be 2nd & 10 from the Buccaneers’ 45 for the Commanders out of the two-minute warning. Intrigue…

10:53 p.m. — Daniels delivers again, hitting none other than Dyami Brown in stride to get past midfield. Now the Commanders are set up well, and they’re content to bleed this clock even if they have work to do to get into playoff range.

10:52 p.m. — The Bucs quickly force Washington into a crucial 3rd & 5…

Commanders 20, Buccaneers 20

10:44 p.m. FIELD GOAL — McLaughlin’s short field goal is good, and this game is all tied up at 20 with 4:41 remaining. It’s not what the Buccaneers wanted, but it’s a scoring drive nonetheless.

10:43 p.m. — Wow, the Buccaneers’ third down play quickly goes awry and they lose enough yardage to take going for it off the table. That might have been a miscommunication. Tampa Bay will try a short field goal to tie it.

10:41 p.m. — Irving nearly picks up a first down, getting Tampa Bay to about the 12-yard line.

10:40 p.m. — On 3rd & short, the Bucs pick up a first down and much more on a short pass to Cade Otton. They’re on the doorstep of the red zone.

10:39 p.m. — Mayfield quickly puts the fumble behind him with a big 26-yard completion to McMillan. Tampa Bay is already out to midfield, needing just a field goal to tie.

Commanders 20, Buccaneers 17

10:34 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — This time, the gamble works! Daniels hits McLaurin in the end zone for the lead, and Washington fans can breathe easy for a minute after a wild start to the fourth quarter.

10:32 p.m. — The Buccaneers want a fumble by Ekeler, but officials rule forward progress was stopped. Now it’s fourth down, and you know it: the Commanders are going for it.

10:29 p.m. FUMBLE — A botched exchange gives the ball right back to the Commanders in the red zone! Mayfield couldn’t get it to McMillan, and the Buccaneers suddenly need their defense to rise up again. 

10:28 p.m. — Evans stretches for the first down and keeps the drive alive for the Buccaneers as his great night continues.

10:24 p.m. — Daniels’ pass is INCOMPLETE. The Commanders pass on a chance to trim the deficit to one and don’t come close to a touchdown on that final play. The Buccaneers will gladly welcome Washington overthinking it and take over. 

10:23 p.m. — Now it’s 4th & Goal from the three for the Commanders…the Buccaneers’ defense is starting to play with more confidence. Washington appears to be going for it again.

10:20 p.m. — A pass interference call sets up the Commanders with 1st & Goal. Plenty of flags on this drive for both sides.

End of third quarter: Buccaneers 17, Commanders 13

10:16 p.m. — Daniels hits Ertz in stride on fourth down. That’s a gigantic play for the Commanders, pushing them into field goal range at the very least. 

10:15 p.m. — The Buccaneers are missing both starting cornerbacks right now, but Daniels throws incomplete on 3rd & 5. Washington appears to be going for it.

10:14 p.m. — A 26-yard gain by McLaurin is erased by a penalty for an ineligible man downfield. That’s a backbreaker for Washington. 

10:10 p.m. — Daniels finds a sliding McLaurin for a first down and more as chants of “Terry!” breakthrough among the Tampa Bay crowd. Jamel Dean is down on the field in pain.

Buccaneers 17, Commanders 13

10:03 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Irving takes a pass from Mayfield into the end zone! The Commanders’ defense has allowed back-to-back touchdown drives, and the Buccaneers are back in front.

10:02 p.m. — Jalen McMillan just barely misses a touchdown, but a holding call against the Commanders gives the Bucs a fresh set of downs.

10:01 p.m. — It’ll be 1st & Goal from the 2-yard line after a couple more nice runs by Irving.

9:59 p.m. — Bucky Irving takes off and runs for 19 more yards, taking Tampa Bay right into the red zone.

9:58 p.m. — Mayfield hits Evans for a big first down and more! The likely Hall of Famer has been bullying Marshon Lattimore all night.

Commanders 13, Buccaneers 10

9:52 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Gonzalez’s kick is good from 22 yards out, and the Commanders take back the lead. 

9:51 p.m. — Jamel Dean breaks up a pass from Daniels to McLaurin, and the Commanders are lucky it just fell harmlessly to the ground. Washington will attempt a field goal, a win for the Bucs at the end of the day.

9:49 p.m. — Dyami Brown cannot be stopped! He gets a couple blocks and goes all the way down to the 3-yard line. 1st & Goal, Commanders.

9:48 p.m. — Daniels hits an open Dyami Brown for a first down and much more! The UNC product already has a touchdown to his name tonight and now takes the Commanders into field goal range.

9:47 p.m. — The Commanders bring in Marcus Mariota on 3rd & 1, and he gets pushed forward for the first down.

End of first half: Commanders 10, Buccaneers 10

9:29 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Mayfield to Evans! Evans beats Lattimore, who shoves a player after the end of the play. Tampa Bay has tied it just before halftime. We’ve got a good one.

9:28 p.m. — One play after Marshon Lattimore complained to the officials about what he thought was pass interference by Evans, he’s called for DPI to set up 1st & Goal at the one.

9:25 p.m. — Evans had 65 yards on four catches, and he’s the only Buccaneers pass-catcher with more than one reception on the night.

9:24 p.m. — The Buccaneers have picked up a first down on four consecutive plays, and they’re set up well into the red zone with 16 seconds remaining. Tampa Bay did let a few too many seconds come off the clock before using a timeout there.

9:23 p.m. — Another catch by Evans has the Bucs past midfield. 

9:22 p.m. — Mayfield destroys a defender and runs for 18 yards to spark some life into the Buccaneers’ offense. That was an angry run.

Commanders 10, Buccaneers 3

9:19 p.m. FIELD GOAL — Zane Gonzalez goes right down the middle on a 52-yard field goal attempt to stretch the Commanders’ lead to 10-3. Washington is nearly doubling up Tampa Bay in time of possession, but the Bucs have 1:52 to make something happen before halftime.

9:16 p.m. — McLaurin fights for a downfield pass from Daniels on third down, but McCollum was all over him. It’s looking like a field goal attempt for the Commanders after a two-minute warning. 

9:13 p.m. — Daniels is taken down by YaYa Diaby on third down, but the Commanders catch a break on a holding penalty against Zyon McCollum. That’s a huge swing, one Todd Bowles can’t be happy with.

9:11 p.m. — Daniels runs the Commanders right up to midfield for another first down.

9:10 p.m. — Daniels hits Ekeler on 3rd & 3 to extend the Commanders’ drive. Kliff Kingsbury has dialed up some impressive plays on third and fourth down tonight.

9:05 p.m. — Tampa Bay gains some field position but nothing more on 3rd & 22, and the Commanders quickly force another punt. Washington is controlling time of possession to this point.

9:04 p.m. — Now a holding penalty comes in on the Bucs, but this time the Commanders decline it and choose 3rd & long.

9:02 p.m. — An early penalty backs up the Buccaneers to 2nd & 24.

Commanders 7, Buccaneers 3

8:57 p.m. TOUCHDOWN — Daniels hits Dyami Brown for a Commanders touchdown! The Buccaneers are also called for roughing the passer on the play for a low hit to Daniels. Washington lead.s

8:56 p.m. — The Buccaneers’ defense is all over Daniels on second down, so it’ll be 3rd & Goal from the 10 for the Commanders. 

8:55 p.m. — Daniels hits Olamide Zaccheaus up the middle to set up 1st & Goal. This has been a long, impressive drive for the Commanders.

8:54 p.m. — The Commanders burn a timeout on 3rd & 3 as they look to extend the drive once again.

8:51 p.m. — This time, the Commanders just barely get it. Austin Ekeler powers through to keep the drive alive.

8:50 p.m. — Daniels again gets denied on third down as he runs toward the sideline. He took a big hit from Zyon McCollum but appears to be fine. The Commanders are lining up to go for it but will take a timeout to mull it over.

8:49 p.m. — Brian Robinson Jr. takes a big hit on second down, setting up third-and-short in field goal range.

End of first quarter: Buccaneers 3, Commanders 0

8:44 p.m. — Now Daniels hits McLaurin for another first down…

8:43 p.m. — Daniels throws across his body under pressure and finds a wide open Zach Ertz on third down. That keeps the drive alive and at the very least prevents Washington from having to give the ball back to the Bucs with strong field position.

8:38 p.m. — After giving up a couple quick first downs, the Commanders do a nice job of shutting down Irving and forcing a punt. 

8:35 p.m. — Bucky Irving had a quiet opening drive but bursts forward for a first down to jumpstart this one.

8:32 p.m. — The Commanders opt to go for it on fourth down, but they throw…and it’s easily broken up by Tampa Bay. Instead of tying the game, Washington comes up empty. 

8:30 p.m. — Daniels looked like he had room to run for a first down, but Lavonte David closes it on him and gets the stop on third down. David keeps making plays in year 13.

8:28 p.m. — Wow, Daniels throws downfield under pressure on third down and hits Terry McLaurin! What a grab by McLaurin to take the Commanders to fringe field goal range.

Buccaneers 3, Commanders 0

8:23 p.m. FIELD GOAL — McLaughlin drills it from 50 yards. An offsides penalty is called but would only move the Buccaneers up five yards, so Todd Bowles will gladly take the field goal as is. The Bucs lead, 3-0.

8:22 p.m. — Mayfield looks to Jalen McMillan downfield on third down, but he was very well covered. It’ll be a long field goal attempt for Chase McLaughlin.

8:20 p.m. — Mayfield to Evans, once again. Evans picks up the first down and more with a catch on the run, taking Tampa Bay to the edge of field goal range.

8:19 p.m. — Baker Mayfield evades a sack on 2nd & 10 and gets a couple yards, but the Bucs have a big third down coming up here.

8:18 p.m. — The Buccaneers start with the ball at home, and we are underway with a quick first down on a catch from Mike Evans.

8:14 p.m. — The national anthem was performed, and we are just a couple minutes away from kickoff.

8:09 p.m. — The Commanders haven’t won a playoff game since 2005, a streak longer than any other NFC team. Can they break it tonight?

7:28 p.m. — The Eagles are going to hold on against the Packers, so the Buccaneers would go to Philadelphia with a win while the Commanders would go to Detroit.

6:52 p.m. — RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. is among the Commanders’ inactives, while S Antoine Winfield Jr. is active for the Buccaneers after missing more than a month of action.

6:40 p.m. — If the Eagles hold onto their 7-point lead against Green Bay, the Buccaneers would head to Philadelphia with a win while the Commanders would head to Detroit with a win. 

6:35 p.m. — It isn’t the warmest night in Tampa, but 58 degrees is certainly a step up from some of the other outdoor games this weekend. 

6:25 p.m. — The Bucs are keeping it light ahead of kickoff.

Commanders vs. Buccaneers start time

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 12
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET

Sunday night’s wild-card playoff game between the Commanders and Buccaneers is set to kick off from Raymond James Stadium at 8 p.m. ET. It’s the NFL’s final game of a Sunday tripleheader.

What channel is Commanders vs. Buccaneers on today?

  • TV Channel: NBC
  • Streaming: Peacock, Fubo

Falcons vs. Commanders will be broadcast nationally on NBC. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will be on the call for the game with Melissa Stark as sideline reporter and Terry McAulay as rules analyst.

Like all “Sunday Night Football” games, Sunday’s contest can be streamed on Peacock or with Fubo.

MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFF NEWS:

NFL playoff schedule 2025

Wild-card round

Saturday, Jan. 11

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Texans vs. Chargers 4:30 p.m. CBS Fubo, Paramount+
Ravens vs. Steelers 8 p.m. — Amazon Prime Video

Sunday, Jan. 12

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Bills vs. Broncos 1 p.m. CBS Fubo, Paramount+
Eagles vs. Packers 4:30 p.m. Fox Fubo
Buccaneers vs. Commanders 8:15 p.m. NBC Fubo, Peacock

Monday, Jan. 13

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
Rams vs. Vikings 8:15 p.m. ESPN, ABC Fubo, ESPN+

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 18

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 4:30 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo
TBD vs. TBD 8:15 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo

Sunday, Jan. 19

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 3 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo
TBD vs. TBD 6:30 p.m. TBD TBD, Fubo

Conference championships

Sunday, Jan. 26

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
NFC championship game 3 p.m. Fox Fubo
AFC championship game 6:30 p.m. CBS Fubo, Paramount+

Super Bowl 59

Sunday, Feb. 9

Matchup Time (ET) TV Live stream
TBD vs. TBD 6:30 p.m. Fox Fubo

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