The Chiefs score a game-winning goal through the posts to defeat the Buccaneers in the wild card round.

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This game will forever be known as “Divisional Doink”. Washington commandersZane Gonzalez’s field goal got a little help from the goal post to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in the Wild Card Round.

Getting the ball after the Bucs were tied at 20 apiece with 4:41 left in the fourth quarter, Jayden Daniels and the Chiefs’ offense was methodical with their drives, as running the right amount of clock could end with a game-winning field goal at the buzzer.

The drive had several key plays to keep it alive, including Daniels finding Dyami Brown for 21 yards on 3rd-and-6 for his first touchdown of the game to keep possession. Then, with 55 seconds left, Daniels ran four yards on third-and-2 from Tampa Bay’s 19-yard line to put the game away.

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Zane Gonzalez notes

Washington Chiefs quarterback Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game-winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 12, in Tampa, Florida. 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

When Gonzalez stepped up for this 37-yard shot, it immediately started going right, and every Bucs fan in Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium was hoping it wouldn’t split the goalposts. However, when it came off the right post, it took three points and a win to advance to the Divisional round.

It’s Washington’s first playoff win since 2005 and it came off another gutsy performance by the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Daniels cemented his role as the team’s franchise quarterback with a big regular season, but he didn’t win on the road against the Bucs under playoff pressure. Philadelphia Eagles at home in the same round just a season ago.

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Daniels was calm and collected, going 24-35 for 268 yards with two touchdowns, one to Terry McLaurin, who came so easily after the game’s most important moment.

The Bucs’ defense had a fantastic fourth-and-goal stop to turn the Chiefs into downs at their own three-yard line. But just four plays later, Baker Mayfield botched what appeared to be a fake handoff to rookie receiver Jalen McMillan. The ball hit McMillan’s arm and fell to the ground.

Baker Mayfield scrambles to get the ball

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, left, tackles Washington Commanders quarterback Bobby Wagner during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

It was the Chiefs who recovered at Tampa Bay’s 11-yard line, and Daniels made the Bucs pay with a five-yard pass to McLaurin on fourth-and-2.

The Bucs failed to capitalize on another red zone trip on their next drive, opting to kick a game-tying field goal on fourth-and-3 from Washington’s 14-yard line. But thanks to Daniels and his offense, they would never see the ball again.

Mayfield was just 15-18 for 185 yards with two touchdowns, while Bucky Irving rushed for 77 yards on 17 carries. Mike Evans scored the team’s first touchdown as part of a seven-catch, 92-yard day.

Meanwhile, Brown and McLaurin each had 89 receiving yards on the night.

Jayden Daniels throws

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL wild card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

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The Chiefs will face a tough task in the Divisional round as they face the No. 1 Lions in Detroit as their No. 6 seed is below the No. 4 Los Angeles Rams and No. 5 Minnesota Vikings. Playing the last wild card game on Monday night.

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