It's been a long time since the Washington Commanders had a playoff game to savor. It's been even longer since they had a genuine chance of making their presence felt in the postseason.
Dan Quinn's men gained five straight victories to close out the season and cement their place in the knockout rounds. This was far beyond the wildest dreams of even the brightest optimist before competitive action began. But make no mistake, they want to write more chapters in this fairytale before embarking on the offseason.
The Commanders have a shot. Their trip to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football won't be easy by any stretch of the imagination. However, they've got real momentum and can give Todd Bowles' squad all they can handle if everyone meets expectations.
It's hard to know how this one will go. The Commanders are riding a tidal wave of positivity, but the playoffs are a different animal. It brings pressure this squad hasn't experienced together before. How they handle the heat is going to be the deciding factor between success and failure.
Can the Commanders rise to the occasion and book their place in the divisional round? Or will the Buccaneers have too much on home soil for Quinn's men to overcome?
Commanders vs. Buccaneers game details
- Date: Sunday, January 12
- Time: 8.00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Raymond James Stadium
- TV channel: NBC
The Buccaneers and Commanders have played once already this season. Washington's fledgling project was in its infancy and they were still trying to firmly establish themselves in Week 1. They were beaten convincingly by Tampa Bay on the road, but this is not the same team anymore.
Tampa Bay's win in the regular-season opener tied the all-time series between the two. It currently stands at 13-13, which doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things but adds another storyline to this potentially mouth-watering collision.
How to listen to Commanders vs. Buccaneers on the radio
Anyone who cannot catch the game on television or streaming services can keep up to date with developments on the radio.
The Washington Commanders Broadcast Network will have comprehensive coverage throughout the day. This includes a pre-game show, looking ahead to the big matchups, and what significant factors will decide the playoff clash.
This will be followed by coverage of the game itself. Bram Weinstein will handle play-by-play duties, with former linebacker London Fletcher and ex-tight end Logan Paulsen providing expert analysis of the big moments as they happen.
Following the clash, the post-game show will recap the contest and get interviews with the likes of Quinn and rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Outside of the D.C. metropolitan area, the Washington Commanders Broadcast Network covers Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia.
BIG 100 (WBIG-FM) is the official flagship station for the Commanders in 2024 and will also be broadcasting the contest. A list of affiliate stations can be found here.