Commanders To Face Tampa Bay Bucs In Wild Card Round Of Playoffs

WASHINGTON, DC — In the first weekend of the NFL playoffs, the Washington Commanders will face off at Raymond James Stadium against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here's what to know about the rematch.

The wild card game kicks off at 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, and will be shown on NBC.

The Commanders are entering the postseason for the first time since 2020 and will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a rematch from Week 1, according to the team website.

Washington landed the No. 6 seed in the playoffs by beating the Dallas Cowboys, 23-19, to close out the regular season with a 12-5 record — their best since the 1991 season. The Buccaneers earned the No. 3 seed by winning the NFC South after the Atlanta Falcons lost in overtime to the Carolina Panthers, and the Buccaneers came back from a 16-6 deficit to beat the New Orleans Saints.

It's been almost four months since the Commanders last traveled to Tampa Bay to take on the Bucs. In that season-opening matchup, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 17 of his 24 passes, but could not overcome four touchdown passes from the Bucs' Baker Mayfield in a 37-20 loss.

It was the only time all season that the Commanders lost a game by more than a touchdown.

Heading into the playoffs, the Washington offense is a top five unit in total yards, rushing yards and points per game. The defense, meanwhile, has become a top 10 group that is ranked third in passing yards allowed.

The Commanders have won each of their last five games.

Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South on the final day of the season. A win over New Orleans secured a fourth straight division title for Tampa, which moved up a seed after a Rams loss. The Buccaneers are a 3-point home favorite to beat the Commanders in the opening round, according to Bet MGM.