The Washington Commanders executed the first upset of the 2024 NFL postseason, defeating the NFC South winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 on a last-second field goal. Former Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner was outstanding in the win. Wagner recorded a game-high eight tackles and recovered a crucial fumble.
The Buccaneers were leading 17-13 in the fourth quarter. Facing a 1st-and-10 early in the final quarter, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield fumbled a backfield exchange with rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan. Wagner recovered the loose ball. It was a game-changing play, with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels throwing a game-leading touchdown on 4th-and-2, taking a 20-17 lead. Shockingly, it was Wagner’s first career postseason fumble recovery.
CHAOS! Baker loses the ball and it’s @Commanders ball in the red zone 👀
📺: #WASvsTB on NBC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/0Oq5lmBhsF— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025
Wagner previously played 10 seasons with the Seahawks from 2012-21. Throughout that tenure, he earned seven All-Pro nominations, eight Pro Bowl selections, and won Super Bowl XLVIII as a member of the Seahawks. Wagner was released from his contract in 2022, playing that season for the Los Angeles Rams.
Wagner made his triumphant return to the Seahawks in 2023 on a one-year contract. In true legendary fashion, Wagner put forth a turn-back-the-clock season, recording a career-high and league-leading 183 tackles en route to his ninth pro Bowl appearance in Seattle.
Unsurprisingly, Wagner reunited with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn this past offseason. Quinn coached Wagner for two seasons in Seattle (2013-14) and is now the head coach in Washington. Together, they helped the Commanders upset Tampa on Sunday.
Wagner and the Commanders are moving onto the divisional round.
