The Washington Commanders upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 in stunning fashion in the wild card round on Jan. 12.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels looked at ease in his first-ever NFL playoff game. The Rookie of the Year candidate, threw for 268 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions, along with 13 carries for 36 yards.
Daniels, Washington No. 2 overall pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, is the first rookie to lead his team in passing and rushing in a playoff win. While Daniels deserves credit for leading the offense down the field on their final drive, the Commanders needed kicker Holden Fortunato "Zane" Gonzalez to drill a 37-year field goal for the win.
After adjusting his hair quite a few times, Gonzalez's kick doinked off the upright and in for the score.
The Commanders entered the postseason this year for the first time since 2020. After Gonzalez's game-winning kick, they punched their ticket to the divisional round for the first time since 2006.
After the game, the kicker's wife, Lizzy Gonzalez, who married the 29-year-old kicker in April, sent a strong message on her Instagram Stories.
Lizzy wrote, "Holy hell, proud of my guy. Next round, here we go!"
Gonzalez and his wife have a lot to celebrate, as the couple also welcomed their first baby together last month, a boy named Luca Joseph.
Gonzalez is new to Washington as the Arizona State alum first joined the Commanders' practice squad in November. He was elevated to the 53-man roster on Dec. 2 after Austin Seibert hit injured reserve with a groin injury. He finished the regular season making 5-of-7 field goals all 19 extra point attempts.
Next up for Washington, traveling to Ford Field to face the Detroit Lions, the No. 1 team in the NFC. Kickoff for the Commanders-Lions showdown sat 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, Jan 18.
