Washington Commanders VS. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Live Stream
Commanders vs. Buccaneers: 2025 Wild Card Weekend Preview
The NFC Wild Card round will feature an exciting clash between the Washington Commanders (12-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) this Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Both teams are aiming to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive, and this matchup promises fireworks with high-powered offenses on both sides.
Game Details
Kickoff: 8:00 PM ET, Sunday, January 12, 2025
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa Bay, FL
TV: NBC / Streaming on Peacock
Spread: Buccaneers -3
Over/Under: 50.5
Key Storylines to Watch
1️⃣ Jayden Daniels’ Postseason Debut
Commanders rookie QB Jayden Daniels has had a stellar season, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and rushing for 891 yards with six scores. Daniels’ dual-threat ability will be critical against Tampa Bay’s aggressive defense. However, his efficiency drops against the blitz, which the Buccaneers deploy at a high rate.
2️⃣ Baker Mayfield’s Career Year
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is coming off his best NFL season, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Mayfield thrives against blitz-heavy defenses like Washington’s, ranking first in success rate against the blitz this year. Expect him to lean heavily on star wideout Mike Evans, who surpassed 1,000 yards for the 11th straight season.
3️⃣ Battle of the Run Games
Both teams boast top-tier rushing attacks:
Commanders: Ranked 3rd in the NFL (154.1 yards per game), led by Daniels and RB Brian Robinson Jr.
Buccaneers: Ranked 4th in the NFL (149.1 yards per game), with Bucky Irving emerging as a reliable lead back.
Tampa Bay’s defense, anchored by Vita Vea, ranks 4th in rushing yards allowed, giving them a potential edge in controlling Washington’s ground game.
4️⃣ Defensive X-Factors
Washington’s defense excels against the pass (3rd in the NFL), led by Frankie Luvu (8 sacks) and Bobby Wagner (132 tackles). However, they struggle against the run, ranking 29th in rushing yards allowed.
Tampa Bay’s defense is healthier with the return of Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jamel Dean, bolstering a unit that struggled in the secondary for much of the season.
5️⃣ Turnovers and Momentum
Both teams have been efficient in forcing turnovers:
Commanders: +10 turnover differential, with Daniels limiting mistakes since midseason.
Buccaneers: +12 turnover differential, capitalizing on opponents’ errors to fuel their offense.
Turnovers could be the deciding factor in what’s expected to be a closely contested game.
Expert Predictions
Score Predictions
CBS Sports: Buccaneers 30, Commanders 22
FOX Sports: Buccaneers 28, Commanders 24
Action Network: Buccaneers 30, Commanders 22
Betting Recommendations
Spread: Buccaneers -3
Over/Under: Over 50.5
Moneyline: Buccaneers -165
Key Matchups
Jayden Daniels vs. Tampa Bay’s Blitz: Can Daniels stay poised under pressure and make plays with his legs?
Bucky Irving vs. Commanders’ Run Defense: Will Irving exploit Washington’s porous run defense and control the game?
Mike Evans vs. Commanders’ Secondary: Evans’ ability to stretch the field could tilt the game in Tampa Bay’s favor.
Final Prediction
While the Commanders’ offense has been electric under Jayden Daniels, the Buccaneers’ playoff experience, balanced attack, and defensive reinforcements give them the edge. Expect Tampa Bay to pull away late in what should be a high-scoring affair.
Final Score: Buccaneers 31, Commanders 24
What are your predictions? Will Jayden Daniels shock the NFL world in his playoff debut, or will Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers continue their postseason success? Let us know in the comments!