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.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers season is over after a heartbreaking 23-20 loss to the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round of the playoffs on Sunday Night Foo

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.

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.

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.

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

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.