The Sunday night NFL game this week is an NFC Wild-Card matchup as the surprising Washington Commanders visit the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay opened as 3-point favourites on the NFL odds with a total of 50.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
NFC third-seeded Tampa Bay is one of three teams in the Wild-Card round hosting a game despite having a worst record than its opponent as the Los Angeles Rams and Houston are in the same boat this weekend — but all division winners get at least one home game in the playoffs. The Bucs won the NFC South for a fourth straight season.
Not much was expected for Washington this season as it was supposed to be a rebuilding year under rookie QB Jayden Daniels and first-year coach Dan Quinn, but Daniels was magnificent and should win Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Quinn will get votes for Coach of the Year. The Commanders are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020 and even that season they finished with a losing record but managed to win the NFC East.
To win the NFC, Tampa Bay is +1100 and Washington +1800, and I don’t give either club much of a shot. It’s the fourth all-time playoff meeting between the franchises and first since the Bucs, quarterback by Tom Brady, won 31-23 at Washington in the Wild-Card round after the 2020 season. The teams also opened the 2024 regular season against one another in Tampa and the Bucs rolled 37-20 behind four Baker Mayfield TD passes. Daniels ran for two scores in his NFL debut.
Washington Commanders
Washington is looking for its first playoff win since after the 2005 season in the Wild-Card round against these Buccaneers. That playoff W drought is the third-longest in the NFL. The Commanders had little reason to play their starters on Sunday in Dallas so some didn’t very much but still won a fifth straight game, 23-19. It’s the franchise’s longest winning streak since 2012.
Jayden Daniels didn’t play long Sunday but broke NFL rookie QB single-season records for completion percentage (69.0) and rushing yards (891). Daniels left with a lower leg issue but was pulled simply out of caution. Wideout Terry McLaurin had TD catch No. 13 to set a franchise single-season record. It was the game-winning score with three seconds left. Tailback Austin Ekeler played for the first time since Week 12 off injury.
Washington finished the season 5-3 on the road, its best away mark since 2012, and 9-3 against NFC opponents, its best such record since 2005. The team’s 485 total points are tied for the second most in franchise history. Washington is 2-4 ATS in its past six vs. the NFC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay had to go all-out on Sunday to win the NFC South and things got very tense for a while, but the Bucs pulled it out 27-19. They clinched the third seed with a Rams loss to the Seahawks. Tampa Bay has made five straight playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history and is the only NFC team to make it each of the past five years. It is also the first team in NFL history to start 4-6 and reach the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
QB Baker Mayfield had by far his best season, becoming the fourth player in NFL history with 40 passing TDs and a completion percentage of at least 70 in a season as Mayfield completed 71.4 per cent for 41 TDs. The Bucs also have gotten huge production from two rookies on offence. Tailback Bucky Irving’s 1,514 yards from scrimmage are second-most by a rookie in team history, while wideout Jalen McMillan enters with five straight games of a receiving TD and has eight on the year. The Bucs are 6-3 ATS in their past nine.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Commanders vs. Buccaneers?
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COMMANDERS
23 -
BUCCANEERS
27
Score
Prediction
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 6 Jan 4:13am | - | - | O +50.5 -110 |
Closing 13 Jan 3:33am | - | - | O +46.5 -125 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Commanders Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
799 |
Passing |
364 |
Receiving |
66 |
Sacks |
10.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1122 |
Passing |
5 |
Receiving |
59 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
129 |
Passing |
23 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
77 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
2 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
799 |
Passing |
364 |
Receiving |
66 |
Sacks |
10.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
9 |
Rushing |
1122 |
Passing |
5 |
Receiving |
59 |
Sacks |
7.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
2 |
Rushing |
129 |
Passing |
23 |
Receiving |
18 |
Sacks |
3.5 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Touchdowns |
1 |
Rushing |
77 |
Passing |
0 |
Receiving |
2 |
Sacks |
1 |
Interceptions |
0 |
Weather

temp | 58 |
condition | cloudy |
wind | Northeast 2mph |
Injuries
John Bates (TE)
Jeff Driskel (QB)
Frankie Luvu (LB)
Zach Ertz (TE)
Clelin Ferrell (DE)
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE)
Daron Payne (DT)
Bobby Wagner (LB)
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
Sam Cosmi (G)
Lavonte David (LB)
Logan Hall (DL)
Tykee Smith (S)
Sterling Shepard (WR)
Mike Edwards (DB)
Jordan Whitehead (S)
Jamel Dean (CB)
Devin Culp (TE)
Payne Durham (TE)
Bucky Irving (RB)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Bates (TE) | Questionable | Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Bates is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Jeff Driskel (QB) | Questionable | Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Driskel is ailing from illness, and his status against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th is unknown. |
|||||
Frankie Luvu (LB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Luvu is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Zach Ertz (TE) | Questionable | Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Ertz is managing a rib injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Clelin Ferrell (DE) | Questionable | Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Ferrell is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE) | Questionable | Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Jean-Baptiste is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Daron Payne (DT) | Out Sun | Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Payne is battling a knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in lineup against the Eagles on Sunday. |
|||||
Bobby Wagner (LB) | Questionable | Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Wagner is managing an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) | Questionable | Hip - 22 / 01 / 25 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
Zaccheaus is bothered by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th. |
|||||
Sam Cosmi (G) | out of season | Knee - 19 / 01 / 25 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Cosmi has been sidelined due to ACL injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lavonte David (LB) | Questionable | Knee - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
David is managing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Logan Hall (DL) | Questionable | Groin - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Hall is nursing a groin injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Tykee Smith (S) | Questionable | Personal - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Smith is managing a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Sterling Shepard (WR) | Questionable | Foot - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Shephard is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Mike Edwards (DB) | Questionable | Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Edwards is nursing a quadricep injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Jordan Whitehead (S) | Out indefinitely | Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Whitehead has been placed on the IR/Non-Football-Injury list due to injuries suffered in car accident, and he will miss an undetermined length of time. |
|||||
Jamel Dean (CB) | Questionable | Knee - 03 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Dean is nursing with a knee injury, and it remain to seen if he participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th. |
|||||
Devin Culp (TE) | Questionable | Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Culp is bothered by a rib injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Payne Durham (TE) | Questionable | Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Durham is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it is yet to be established if he will face Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
|||||
Bucky Irving (RB) | Questionable | Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 | 1-1 | 2-0 | + - |
Irving is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be on field against the Saints on Sunday, January 5th. |
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 6 Jan 4:13am - - O +50.5 -110 Closing 13 Jan 3:33am - - O +46.5 -125 -
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Commanders Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 799
Passing 364
Receiving 66
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1122
Passing 5
Receiving 59
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 129
Passing 23
Receiving 18
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 77
Passing 0
Receiving 2
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
- Regular Season
- Playoffs
Buccaneers Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 799
Passing 364
Receiving 66
Sacks 10.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 9
Rushing 1122
Passing 5
Receiving 59
Sacks 7.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 2
Rushing 129
Passing 23
Receiving 18
Sacks 3.5
Interceptions 2
Touchdowns 1
Rushing 77
Passing 0
Receiving 2
Sacks 1
Interceptions 0
-
Weather
temp 58 condition cloudy wind Northeast 2mph -
Injuries
John Bates (TE)
Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25Jeff Driskel (QB)
Questionable Illness - 24 / 01 / 25Frankie Luvu (LB)
Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25Zach Ertz (TE)
Questionable Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25Clelin Ferrell (DE)
Questionable Knee - 22 / 01 / 25Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE)
Questionable Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25Daron Payne (DT)
Out Sun Knee - 22 / 01 / 25Bobby Wagner (LB)
Questionable Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25Olamide Zaccheaus (WR)
Questionable Hip - 22 / 01 / 25Sam Cosmi (G)
out of season Knee - 19 / 01 / 25Lavonte David (LB)
Questionable Knee - 08 / 01 / 25Logan Hall (DL)
Questionable Groin - 08 / 01 / 25Tykee Smith (S)
Questionable Personal - 08 / 01 / 25Sterling Shepard (WR)
Questionable Foot - 08 / 01 / 25Mike Edwards (DB)
Questionable Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25Jordan Whitehead (S)
Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25Jamel Dean (CB)
Questionable Knee - 03 / 01 / 25Devin Culp (TE)
Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25Payne Durham (TE)
Questionable Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25Bucky Irving (RB)
Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes John Bates (TE) Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Bates is bothered by a shoulder injury, and it remains to be seen if he will be active against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Jeff Driskel (QB) Questionable Illness - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Driskel is ailing from illness, and his status against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th is unknown.
Frankie Luvu (LB) Questionable Shoulder - 24 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Luvu is dealing with a shoulder injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Zach Ertz (TE) Questionable Ribs - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Ertz is managing a rib injury, and it is unknown if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Clelin Ferrell (DE) Questionable Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Ferrell is battling a knee injury, and it remains to be seen if he will return to action against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Javontae Jean-Baptiste (DE) Questionable Shoulder - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Jean-Baptiste is hampered by a shoulder injury, and it is up in the air if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Daron Payne (DT) Out Sun Knee - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Payne is battling a knee injury, and he is not expected to feature in lineup against the Eagles on Sunday.
Bobby Wagner (LB) Questionable Ankle - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Wagner is managing an ankle injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Olamide Zaccheaus (WR) Questionable Hip - 22 / 01 / 25 1-0 1-0 + - Zaccheaus is bothered by a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will take the field against the Eagles on Sunday, January 26th.
Sam Cosmi (G) out of season Knee - 19 / 01 / 25 2-0 1-1 + - Cosmi has been sidelined due to ACL injury, and he is likely to miss the remainder of the season.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Lavonte David (LB) Questionable Knee - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - David is managing a knee injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Logan Hall (DL) Questionable Groin - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Hall is nursing a groin injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Tykee Smith (S) Questionable Personal - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Smith is managing a personal matter, and it is unclear if he will participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Sterling Shepard (WR) Questionable Foot - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Shephard is battling a foot injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Mike Edwards (DB) Questionable Quadricep - 08 / 01 / 25 0-1 1-0 + - Edwards is nursing a quadricep injury, and it is unclear if he will dress against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Jordan Whitehead (S) Out indefinitely Undisclosed - 04 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Whitehead has been placed on the IR/Non-Football-Injury list due to injuries suffered in car accident, and he will miss an undetermined length of time.
Jamel Dean (CB) Questionable Knee - 03 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Dean is nursing with a knee injury, and it remain to seen if he participate against the Commanders on Sunday, January 12th.
Devin Culp (TE) Questionable Ribs - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Culp is bothered by a rib injury, and it is undetermined if he will face the Saints on Sunday, January 5th.
Payne Durham (TE) Questionable Quadricep - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Durham is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it is yet to be established if he will face Saints on Sunday, January 5th.
Bucky Irving (RB) Questionable Shoulder - 01 / 01 / 25 1-1 2-0 + - Irving is nursing with a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if he will be on field against the Saints on Sunday, January 5th.