The Buccaneers have reached the playoffs in five consecutive seasons, a streak that dates back to Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl run in Tom Brady’s first season with the team. The Commanders don’t quite have the same level of experience.
Not only is it Washington’s first trip to the playoffs since 2020, but the franchise also hasn’t won a playoff game since 2005. Plenty of change and plenty of quarterbacks have passed through the doors since that point, but Commanders fans believe they finally have their long-term solution in Jayden Daniels.
Daniels has answered the call in big moments this season, from recent wins over the Eagles and Falcons to October’s Hail Mary against the Bears. Baker Mayfield, however, is playing some of the best football of his career and just finished off a 41-touchdown season.
By the time these two teams kick off on Sunday night, they should each know where they are going for the divisional round should they leave with a win.
Here’s what you need to know about the next opponent for either the Commanders or Buccaneers.
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Who do the Commanders or Buccaneers play next?
The NFL re-seeds its bracket after the wild-card round, so the scenarios for the divisional round are complicated to start the weekend.
Commanders potential opponents
- No. 1 Lions
- No. 4 Rams
- No. 5 Vikings
If the Eagles defeat the Packers in the wild-card round, the Commanders will know Sunday night that a win would send them to Detroit to face the Lions as the lowest-remaining seed in the NFC.
A Packers win over the Eagles, however, would set up the Commanders to face the winner of the Monday night matchup between the Rams and Vikings.
Buccaneers potential opponents
- No. 2 Eagles
- No. 4 Rams
- No. 5 Vikings
The Buccaneers will also know their potential divisional round opponent when they kick off, as they would go on the road to face the Eagles if Philadelphia handles business against the Packers. If Green Bay wins, it would mean the Buccaneers host the winner of the matchup between the Rams and Vikings in the divisional round.
MORE 2025 NFL PLAYOFFS:
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