Experiencing playoff football has been in short supply for the Washington Commanders in recent years. Making the most of this significant opportunity is the next objective for head coach Dan Quinn during his sensational first season at the helm.
Quinn is all about savoring the moment. The Commanders weren't expected to be in the postseason picture this season after comprehensive changes across the franchise. Just because they are way ahead of schedule, that doesn't mean this organization is in the knockout rounds to make up the numbers.
Washington wants to make noise. They want to prove capable of mixing it with the NFL's elite. They want to enhance their blossoming reputation and become a football powerhouse once again. There's a long way to go and a lot of hard work to come, but this project is off to the best possible start.
Traveling to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers represents a challenging yet winnable game for Quinn's squad. This is not the same team that was soundly beaten at Raymond James Stadium in Week 1. They are battle-hardened, more cohesive, and know how to come through in the clutch.
At the same time, they have no room for passengers and need their top-level stars to produce the goods. With this in mind, here are five Commanders players under pressure to perform in the Wild Card round.
We'll start with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels.
Commanders players under pressure to perform in the Wild Card round
Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB
The Washington Commanders had supreme confidence in Jayden Daniels before taking him at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. What the rookie quarterback's accomplished since then is beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
Daniels' quiet aura, exceptional poise, and nerves of steel came to the fore almost immediately. The signal-caller possesses a strong work ethic and fierce inner drive that's hard not to love. Everyone got on board and willingly followed his lead.
This is the franchise-caliber presence under center the Commanders were hoping for. The bigger the moment, the more Daniels thrives. He dragged Washington into the postseason and is a lock to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year despite strong challenges from Brock Bowers and Bo Nix.
The Commanders need all this and more from Daniels in the Wild Card round. For all the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' qualities on defense, they have trouble with mobile quarterbacks. This is something that the dual-threat Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU can capitalize on if he picks and chooses his spots effectively.
Washington will go as far as Daniels takes them. And if he's got a shot to close things out late, there's confidence he'll deliver.