The Commanders have had an incredible turnaround this season, going from a four-win team in 2023 to a 12-win team and playoff participant in 2024. The season has rejuvenated Washington fans, who have waited for so long to see their team succeed.
The next test for the Commanders comes Sunday night when they travel to play the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. When that game kicks off, it will be almost 20 years since the Commanders’ last playoff win, the third-longest active drought in the NFL.
Ahead of the wild-card weekend showdown in Tampa Bay, The Sporting News revisits the last time the Commanders won a playoff game.
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Commanders’ playoff history
When is the last time the Commanders won a playoff game?
The Commanders’ last playoff win came 18 years ago against the very same Buccaneers on Jan. 7, 2006.
Just like this year, the Buccaneers were the No. 3 seed in the NFC South in 2005 and earned the right to host a wild-card game at 11-5. Washington, meanwhile, was the No. 6 seed in the NFC, getting the final wild-card spot with a 10-6 record.
Washington’s quarterback that season was Mark Brunell, a 35-year-old veteran who totaled 23 passing touchdowns in his second season with the team. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, was quarterbacked by Chris Simms, who was in just his second season in the league.
Both teams sported stifling defenses, ranking in the top five in both yards allowed and points allowed on the season. Washington’s defense featured star safety Sean Taylor, who was already one of the best defenders in the game by his second season.
Washington got off to a hot start in the wild-card matchup, as the defense forced two Buccaneers turnovers that immediately led to scores.
First, LaVar Arrington intercepted Simms and returned the ball to the six, leading to a Clinton Portis rushing touchdown. Then, Taylor recovered a fumble at midfield and returned it all the way for a touchdown, giving Washington a 14-0 lead.
2005: NFC Wild Card Round, Washington narrowly beats Tampa Bay 17-10. This is the last time Washington has won a playoff game. #RaiseHail #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/OWETovNbA5
â Four Verts đ (@FourVerticals_) January 9, 2025
Washington held the Buccaneers to just 10 points in the game. Tampa Bay turned the ball over three times, which ended up being the difference.
Washington won the game solely because of its defense, as Brunell threw for just 41 yards while the Buccaneers doubled the Commanders up in yards, 243-120.
Commanders playoff win drought
Since their last playoff win, the Commanders have played in five playoff games, all resulting in losses.
Washington lost to the Seahawks in the playoffs three straight times in that span: first in the 2005 divisional round after beating Tampa Bay, then in the 2007 wild-card round and finally in the 2012 wild-card game at home with Robert Griffin III at quarterback.
In 2015, Washington lost to the Packers while hosting the wild-card round after winning the NFC East, putting an end to a strong season from Kirk Cousins. Finally, in 2020, Washington and Tampa Bay faced off once more in the wild-card run, this time with Tom Brady and the Buccaneers beginning their Super Bowl run with a win.
Longest active NFL playoff win droughts
Here are the 10 longest NFL playoff win droughts entering this weekend:
| Team | Drought (Seasons) | Last playoff win |
| Miami Dolphins | 24 | Dec. 30, 2000 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 22 | Jan. 19, 2003 |
| Washington Commanders* | 18 | Jan. 7, 2006 |
| Chicago Bears | 14 | Jan. 16, 2011 |
| New York Jets | 14 | Jan. 16, 2011 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 9 | Jan. 16, 2016 |
| Carolina Panthers | 9 | Jan. 24, 2016 |
| Denver Broncos* | 8 | Feb. 7, 2016 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 | Jan. 6, 2018 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers* | 7 | Jan. 15, 2017 |
*If the Commanders, Steelers and Broncos lose this weekend, their droughts increase by one*
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