Commanders choose to 'be bold' going for it on 4th down, and that has them still in the playoffs

Gutsy calls by coach Dan Quinn helped the Washington Commanders win a playoff game and take another step further in a season that had already exceeded just about every external expectation.

Those should be no surprise given his philosophy.

“I never want to look back and say, ‘Man, I wish I had gone for it,’” Quinn said recently. “I hope that’s my legacy one day long down the road: They say, ‘Man, that dude went for it.’ I hope our team plays that way.”

Playing that way, Quinn opted to go for it on fourth down five times in the wild-card game at Tampa Bay. The Commanders converted on three of them, including a late touchdown pass from Jayden Daniels to Terry McLaurin, on the way to beating the Buccaneers and setting up a trip to face NFC-leading Detroit in the divisional round on Saturday night.

“We’re not going to be reckless, but when there’s a chance and a moment for us to capture it and to be bold, we’re not going to look back,” Quinn said Monday. “We’ve practiced it a lot, so it does give us a lot of faith and confidence when those moments come up.”

The Commanders went 20 for 23 on fourth down during the regular season, a conversion rate of 87% that is the best of any NFL team since 2000, when Indianapolis was 9 for 10. Quinn said part of what makes them exceptional in those situations is collective poise, and that starts with Daniels, the rookie quarterback who does not seem fazed by pressure.

Asked Sunday night about the coaching staff's decisions to go for it so often, Daniels said, “Obviously they’re confident in us to get the first down, so I’m confident in the guys to go out there and block, make plays and move the chains.”

The couple of times being bold did not pay off — once in the first quarter and again in the fourth — could have become costly.

Instead, the late chance missing on fourth-and-goal from the Tampa Bay 3 was followed by Baker Mayfield's fumble that was recovered by Bobby Wagner, and when it was fourth-and-2 from the 5 a few plays later, the decision was to go again and Daniels' throw to McLaurin put Washington ahead with 10 minutes left.

Those decisions are not spur of the moment. Quinn said practices throughout the week are meant to prepare players for when he'd like to go for it, and he communicates on the sideline during games to make sure everyone is on the same page.

“It does change depending on time, score of the game, field position — all of those,” Quinn said. “It’s not one size fits all. But we do discuss it all the way through.”

Daniels continues to master the offense, knowing when to tuck the ball and run and when to remain a passer and make a throw from the pocket. The 24-year-old accounted for 304 yards, and his only sack was a scramble on which he got back to the line of scrimmage.

“It’s the playoffs, but it’s still the same game," said Wagner, the six-time All-Pro linebacker who has developed a strong rapport with Daniels. "The stakes are a little different, but he came in and played the game that we know he’s capable of playing and did a great job.”

The Commanders continue to struggle running the ball handing it off to their backs. Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols combined for just 44 yards on 19 carries, gaining only a little more than Daniels' 36 on 13.

That actually brought up the team's average slightly. Over the past five games — all victories — running backs have averaged 2.24 yards a carry.

Zane Gonzalez was not the first choice to be kicker, or even the sixth. He's the seventh on the roster since the spring and the fourth to play this season for the Commanders, but, boy, are they glad to have him.

Gonzalez banked the buzzer-beating, game-winning 37-yard field goal off the right upright and in to give the franchise its first playoff win in 19 years. He also connected from 52 and 22 yards earlier in the game.

“He’s really been doing that in practice, as well, where he’s hitting it good,” Quinn said. “For him to be able to step up and deliver, and then also a game-winner at the end — that’s a big deal for us."

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was on the wrong end of his matchup against Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, giving up a handful of catches, including a touchdown, before adjustments led to some double coverage and rookie Mike Sainristil getting that responsibility. Evans finished with 92 yards.

Quinn said Lattimore, playing his first game since aggravating a hamstring injury that dogged him for much of the season, was on something of a pitch count for snaps.

But with All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown up next, the secondary needs more out of Lattimore to have a chance.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne (finger), rookie tight end Ben Sinnott (shoulder) and rookie linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring) left Sunday night. Quinn said Magee would likely miss the Lions game.

3 — Games quarterbacked by Daniels in which the Commanders had no punts and no turnovers. That's already more than the combined regular-season and playoff careers of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana and Patrick Mahomes.

Get ready for another heavyweight bout at the Lions, who opened as 8 1/2-point favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook. It might take more Daniels magic to pull off a bigger upset, but Quinn is unconcerned about the short week hurting his team's preparation.

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Washington Commanders wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (14) celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels speaks at a news conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown, middle, celebrates after catching a touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, right, reacts toward line judge Brian Bolinger (40) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Washington Commanders place kicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) scrambles out of the pocket against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn, left, talks with officials during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn speaks at a news conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Washington Commanders place kicker Zane Gonzalez, right, is congratulated by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

The first stage of Mohamed Salah’s rehabilitation at Liverpool is complete after the Egypt forward returned to the team for its 2-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.

The question now as Salah heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations: Is there a future for him at Anfield when he comes back?

Salah, who let rip last weekend about his current frustrations at Liverpool, entered as a 26th-minute substitute to a big ovation and set up the second of Hugo Ekitike’s goals as the defending champion extended its unbeaten run to five games in all competitions.

Also Saturday, Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 and was set on its way to victory by Cole Palmer’s first goal in three months. First-place Arsenal hosts last-place Wolverhampton later.

Salah held talks with Liverpool manager Arne Slot on Friday in an effort to overcome their issues and the result was that Salah was recalled to the matchday squad for the Brighton game. He had been a substitute for the last three Premier League matches before being left at home for the midweek Champions League trip to Inter Milan as a punishment for his explosive comments to reporters last weekend.

“It was an easy decision to put him in the squad," Slot said. “I have said many times before what has been said between us will stay between us.”

Liverpool's fans demonstrated they are willing to excuse Salah for his show of anger and gave him a rapturous welcome when he came on as a substitute for the injured Joe Gomez midway through the first half.

By then, Liverpool was leading 1-0 thanks to Ekitike's rising shot inside the first minute and Salah showed glimpses of his class, especially on the counterattack. It was Salah's corner kick that was headed in by Ekitike for the second goal in the 60th, sparking another round of chants for the Egyptian.

Slot said Salah was a threat all game.

“Pleasing to see but not a surprise,” Slot said.

Salah could be away for more than a month if Egypt goes all the way in the Africa Cup.

It was a second straight start for Palmer, whose season has been blighted by a groin injury that has restricted him to seven games in all competitions.

There looked to be nothing wrong with Palmer when he ran onto Malo Gusto's pass and slipped a finish inside the near post to give Chelsea the lead in the 21st minute at Stamford Bridge.

However, Palmer said after the game that he wasn't at his best yet because he was “still dealing with an injury.”

“It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon,” Palmer told the BBC. “Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Gusto added the second goal in the 45th minute for Chelsea, which jumped to fourth place.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca complained after the match at a lack of support at the club “in general” and said the last two days had been his worst time since arriving in the summer of 2024.

Burnley slumped to a seventh straight loss after being turned over 3-2 by Fulham, with a loud chorus of boos greeting the final whistle at Turf Moor.

Harry Wilson set up two goals and scored the other for Fulham, which climbed to 13th place.

Burnley, which was promoted last season, stayed in next-to-last place and is five points from safety.

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80

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Chelsea's Cole Palmer celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Everton in London, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (Adam Davy/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool fans hold placard depicting Liverpool's Mohamed Salah before the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, left, challenges for the ball with Brighton's Lewis Dunk during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion in Liverpool, England, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)