Bucs Host Commanders in NFL Wild Card Showdown
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs. The game is set for Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, with an 8:00 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC. The Commanders enter as 3-point underdogs.
The Bucs' defense, ranked 16th in the league, is known for pressuring quarterbacks and stopping wide receivers. In their previous meeting, they limited the Commanders' passing game, forcing them to rely on running the ball. The Bucs' offense has been productive with rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan and veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has been in great form, throwing 16 TDs in the last five games. The Bucs' running back, Bucky Irving, has eight rushing TDs this season.
The Commanders, the No. 6 seed in the NFC, have won their last five games. Their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, has a QBR of 70.6 and has thrown 13 touchdown passes in the last five games. However, the Bucs' defense will pose a significant challenge to his passing game.
The Bucs, as the No. 3 seed, will host the Commanders in the first round of the postseason. The game is expected to be a tough matchup, with the Bucs' defense putting pressure on Daniels and the Commanders' offense looking to exploit any weaknesses in the Bucs' defense. Fans can catch the game on NBC at 8:00 p.m. ET.
