Who will Commanders play next? Divisional round opponent set for Washington
The Commanders are marching into the divisional round.
Washington's dream season continued on Sunday night in Tampa as the Commanders upset the Buccaneers 23-20. This is just the latest chapter in a season that has included a Hail Mary against Chicago, a last-second stop in New Orleans, a fourth-quarter comeback against Philadelphia, and an overtime game against Atlanta to clinch a playoff spot.
Needless to say, the Commanders have been a source of entertainment for NFL fans all season. Now they're off to the divisional round to take on arguably the league's best in Detroit.
Zane Gonzalez's doink for the divisional round sent them there, but not without the heroics of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who looks like anything but a newcomer.
Formerly nameless, everyone knows Washington's football team and they are for real. Here's what awaits them in the next round.
Who will Commanders play next?
The Commanders will travel to Detroit to take on the Lions in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
They became the first road team to notch a win in the wild-card round and managed to do it with a rookie quarterback, too. Rookie signal callers on the road in the playoffs were 5-17 coming into the weekend and are now 6-18 after it, with the win from Daniels and loss from Bo Nix's Broncos.
Washington has been an entertaining team all season long and will now hope their magical ride continues in Detroit.
It's their first playoff win in 19 years, which ironically came against the Buccaneers in the 2006 wild-card round.
The Lions are the top seed in the NFC, featuring an explosive offense and dominant defense. It will be no easy task, but the Commanders have been doubted all year. At this point, they are playing with house money while Detroit is under all the pressure and has many injuries.
Their showdown is set for Saturday, Jan. 18, at 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Fox.
Updated NFL playoff bracket
AFC playoff bracket
- 1. Kansas City Chiefs vs. 4. Houston Texans
- 2. Buffalo Bills vs. 3. Baltimore Ravens
NFC playoff bracket
- No. 1 Detroit Lions vs. No. 6 Washington Commanders
- 2. Philadelphia Eagles vs. 4. Los Angeles Rams OR 5. Minnesota Vikings
The NFC side of the bracket will be finalized on Monday night, with the winner of the Rams vs. Vikings game heading to Philadelphia.