Zane Gonzalez - Commanders K
Zane Gonzalez had the weight of the world on his shoulders in the closing stages at Raymond James Stadium. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led another masterful drive downfield. His improvisation under pressure secured a first down and allowed the clock to run down in field goal range.
It was up to Gonzalez to seal the deal.
One could forgive fans for looking worried beforehand without the proper context attached. Gonzalez spent time putting on his boot and fixing his hair constantly walking onto the field. He has OCD, which heightened enormously in such a high-pressure situation.
Gonzalez did just enough. His kick went in off the upright and the Commanders reached the Divisional Round against the odds. It also extended the former seventh-round pick's outstanding start to life in Washington.
It's gone under the radar, but Gonzalez hasn't missed a kick since joining the Commanders. He's hit all 10 of his field goal attempts and 21 straight extra-point efforts. This brought much-needed stability to the kicking position after Austin Seibert's unfortunate injury.
If the Commanders want to be competitive against the Detroit Lions, Gonzalez must continue this trend. It's indoors in a hostile environment, but a good showing will cement his status in 2025.
Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB
The spotlight was on cornerback Marshon Lattimore and wide receiver Mike Evans, who renewed their fierce rivalry in the Wild Card round. It didn't go well for the defensive back, who wasn't healthy and looked a yard off the pace.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case with every cornerback. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil more than held his own with the primetime spotlight glaring. There was also a lot to like about Noah Igbinoghene's contribution as the Commanders won their first playoff game in 19 years.
The best compliment one could pay Igbinoghene is that you don't hear his name called much. Moving into the slot provided the spark that ignited the former first-round pick. He looks comfortable, assured in coverage, and is physical enough to assist against the run for good measure.
Igbinoghene deserves enormous praise for the way he's applied himself this season. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. thought he could be an asset after working alongside the Auburn product last season on the Dallas Cowboys. They've been proven right so far.
Washington got more than they bargained for with Igbinoghene. If he can keep this up at the Detroit Lions and ensure complications are minimal, that should be all the Commanders need to see for a longer-term commitment.