Maybe the Bucs had gone backward too many times to be very forward-thinking. Whatever the reason, Todd Bowles did not demonstrate a very adventurous spirit during Sunday’s NFC wild-card game when it came to going for it on fourth down.

Washington took Daniels with the second pick in the 2024 draft, and he immediately validated the team’s decision with a Rookie of the Year-caliber season. Winning in the regular season is one thing. Controlling a game on the road in the postseason is another.

Jayden Daniels orchestrated another game-winning drive to set up Zane Gonzalez’s 37-yard field goal — which banked in off the upright — for a 23-20 win.

In the Wild Card playoff, the Commanders contained one of the NFL’s most potent offenses (2024 Bucs: 3 rd in passing yards, 6 th in NY/A; 4 th in rushing yards, 3 rd in Y/A), holding the Bucs to their 4 th lowest passing yardage (183 yds) and their 4 th lowest rushing total (101 net yards) of the season.

The best and worst-graded Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive players in their Wild Card loss to the Washington Commanders.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered the 2024 NFL Playoffs with cautious optimism. They have navigated a season defined by dramatic highs and frustrating lows. Moments of brilliance hinted at the team’s potential.

The Buccaneers season ended at the hands of the Washington Commanders on a heartbreaking last second field goal 23-20. Both sides of the football just simply were not good enough on Sunday night and it resulted in the Bucs being a one and done in the playoffs.

Each week following every Bucs game, we’ll take a closer look at the snap count distribution for Tampa Bay on offense and defense. We’ll assess what we can learn from who played the most and least in the game.