The Washington Commanders are within the NFC Divisional Spherical after an unbelievable 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and a Seattle Seahawks legend had one of many largest performs of the night time for the Commanders.
Having had the misfortune of getting trucked by Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield within the first half, Wagner had the final giggle and the sport’s solely turnover. After the Buccaneers made a essential purpose line stand within the 4th quarter, Wagner received the ball again by pouncing on Mayfield’s botched alternate. Sadly for Mayfield, he doesn’t understand that Wagner was educated to be “all concerning the ball” underneath Pete Carroll.
Dan Quinn, who was extraordinarily aggressive on 4th downs all night time, went for it on 4th and a pair of and Jayden Daniels threw the go-ahead landing to Terry McLaurin.
Wagner later made a essential 2nd and 1 cease for no acquire on a Mayfield run with the Buccaneers threatening to take the lead down 20-17. A snap miscommunication between Mayfield and rookie middle Graham Barton led to the Bucs kicking a tying discipline purpose as a substitute of going for a go-ahead landing.
Tampa Bay by no means noticed the ball on offense once more and Zane Gonzalez doinked the Commanders into the NFC Divisional Spherical. It was a Commanders win with a number of Seahawks-esque zaniness.
The Commanders’ 19-year postseason win drought is over, and also you would possibly recall that their final playoff win was in opposition to the Buccaneers on the street… solely to lose to the Seahawks the next week, ending Seattle’s 21-year playoff win drought within the course of.
Jayden Daniels has additionally grow to be solely the fourth rookie quarterback to win a street playoff begin, becoming a member of Russell Wilson (who beat Washington in 2012), Joe Flacco, and Mark Sanchez are the one QBs to drag off such a uncommon feat. Flacco and Sanchez even made it to the Convention
That is an superior second for the Commanders, however from a Seahawks perspective, it’s superior to see this outcome for former Seahawks DC Dan Quinn, ex-linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr, and Wagner, all of whom have been vital figures from the Tremendous Bowl season and the peak of this franchise’s historical past. Different notable ex-Seahawks on the Commanders embody particular groups ace Nick Bellore (regardless of the trolling), lengthy snapper Tyler Ott, former Seahawks Darryl Tapp and Bobby Engram (who’re assistant coaches on Quinn’s employees), and even Paul Skansi, who’s a Commanders scout!
The Commanders are on the Detroit Lions subsequent Saturday night time in what could possibly be one other thriller.
