Terry McLaurin clearly explains the exact reason why Commanders are legit Super Bowl contenders following first playoff win
The Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in dramatic fashion, making their way into the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs thanks to a last-second field goal that bounced off the goalpost into the net to steal the road win 23-20. Moments before, the Commanders got the ball back with 4:41 remaining in the fourth […]
The Washington Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in dramatic fashion, making their way into the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs thanks to a last-second field goal that bounced off the goalpost into the net to steal the road win 23-20.
Moments before, the Commanders got the ball back with 4:41 remaining in the fourth quarter with the scored tied at 20. They never returned the football as Jayden Daniels led a 10-play, 51-yard drive to secure the team's first trip to the Divisional Round since 2005.
The big possession didn't feel strange at all to the Commanders, who have been in similar late-game scenarios all season long. With Daniels at quarterback, it almost feels like it's a wrap every time Washington needs a late game-winning drive. That's a big advantage in the competitive, close-game environment of the NFL playoffs.
Wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who finished Sunday with seven catches and 89 yards, talked about the Commanders' mindset toward the end of the game when they took a hold of the final possession.
"This is what we've been doing all season, this is what (Jayden Daniels) has been doing all season," McLaurin told reporters postgame. "It's the preparation that we put in and I know people may be tired of hearing 'winning time moments' but that's real and it shows up and I think that's what the playoffs are about."
McLaurin makes a strong point: The Commanders know these high-leverage moments in and out, and if that's what the playoffs are all about, I'm not sure how you rule them out as legit Super Bowl contenders. Though they're going to be considered longshots, it's true that if the game is close, you don't want to be facing the team that thrives in that scenario.
"You may not play a perfect game but if you have the ball to go down there and have a chance to win the game, we trust our preparation in the moments that we've been in this year," McLaurin added. "That's who (Jayden) is, he's been blessed with unbelievable ability but his ability to be ready for any moment that comes his way is definitely special for a rookie."
Though it obviously starts with Daniels' poise in the huddle and in the pocket, the entire Commanders offense has embraced its late-game identity.
"There was nothing that needed to be said, we just looked at each other in the eye and were like, 'they don't get the ball back," McLaurin said of the final drive. "We finish it with the ball in our hands and it's our time (…) That's what we've been preaching, that's what we've been preparing for all season, it's going to show up (…) There will be 'winning time moments' next week as well."
Chances are if the Commanders are going to make it to the Super Bowl, they'll need some of that magic once again, starting with the team's upcoming matchup against the Detroit Lions next Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET.
The Lions are the NFC's juggernaut and in all likelihood they've got the much better roster. That's why they got the bye week and the No. 1 seed. But if it comes down to the wire, how can you rule the Commanders out? You just can't.
