The Washington Commanders had already clinched an unlikely playoff berth entering Week 18 thanks to their dramatic comeback overtime win in Week 17 vs. the Atlanta Falcons.
However, Washington still had something to play for in Week 18. Now, we know what seed the Commanders will be and where they will open their postseason.
What Is the Washington Commanders’ Current Playoff Picture?
After their dramatic Week 17 win, the Commanders clinched a Wild Card spot. And with their Week 18 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Washington secured the NFC’s No. 6 seed. But we didn’t know where the Commanders would begin their postseason next weekend after the early slate on Sunday. But we know now.
Who Is the Commanders’ Opponent on Wild Card Weekend?
The Commanders are now the No. 6 seed. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ comeback win over the Saints earlier on Sunday put pressure on the Los Angeles Rams. If the Rams were to defeat the Seattle Seahawks, then the Rams would have earned the NFC’s third seed and hosted the Commanders next weekend.
However, the Rams fell to the Seahawks, meaning the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be the NFC’s No. 3 seed following their come-from-behind win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Commanders will travel to Tampa to face the Bucs on Wild Card Weekend’s Sunday Night Football, and it will be a rematch of Week 1. In that game, the Bucs handily defeated the Commanders 37-20 behind four touchdown passes from quarterback Baker Mayfield. It was Jayden Daniels’ first career NFL game. The likely NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year only passed for 184 yards in his debut against Tampa, but ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Now the young star will make his postseason debut on the same field he made his NFL debut, presumably much more comfortable and looking to avenge the loss in his first career game.