After going 10-7 in the regular season and winning the NFC South for the fourth straight year, the Bucs got the chance to again play in front of the Ray Jay crowd facing an upstart 12-5 Commanders squad. Looking to make some noise in the playoffs, Tampa Bay kept it close with Washington as they aimed to head to the Divisional Round for the second year in a row.

They fell short this time around, falling to them 23-20 to end the season. Although they head into the offseason after being defeated, there were some impressive performances to highlight to close out the campaign.

WR Mike Evans

Bucs WR Mike Evans and Commanders CB Marshon Lattimore – Photo by: USA Today

After having a historic game last Sunday getting over 1,000 receiving yards for an 11th straight year, Mike Evans took it upon himself to have another big day. Evans surely wanted to come out against the Commanders and play well, especially as he faced his longtime nemesis in cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Baker Mayfield found him early for an 11-yard gain at the beginning of the game.

While Tampa Bay’s offense did not have the ball much in the first half, Mayfield was sure to find Evans when they did. The veteran wide receiver had five catches for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown through 30 minutes, getting the better of Lattimore often.

Look no further than when Evans drew a defensive pass interference call on him in the end zone that put them just a yard out from scoring. Turns out, M1K3 was just setting himself up to make a touchdown grab over Lattimore after a gutsy, gunslinger-esque throw by Mayfield.

ILB Lavonte David

At 34 years old, Lavonte David has played a lot of football in his NFL career, but the playoffs add a little fire to every player. At a time when the Bucs’ defense needed some juice, David provided that and then some, turning back the clock and saving the day when they needed it the most.

Early in the first quarter, he chased down Commanders rookie dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels, preventing him from getting the first down at a critical moment. Washington would then fail to convert going for the fourth-and-2 the following play.

Throughout the game, David was around the ball, recording seven total tackles. He came up big on a fourth-and-goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter, playing tight coverage on Zach Ertz to force a turnover on downs.

RB Bucky Irving

Admittedly, it was a slow start for the Bucs’ run game and rookie running back Bucky Irving. That changed in the third quarter when the offense started to find ways to get the dynamic playmaker the ball. It started with a 19-yard run down the left sideline, but the money play for him was getting enough space near the end zone for Baker Mayfield to find him for a 4-yard touchdown, the first touchdown catch of Irving’s career.

It could not have come at a better time, as it gave Tampa Bay a 17-13 lead in the third quarter.

QB Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Even when it’s not always pretty, the Bucs can rely on Baker Mayfield being gritty and finding ways to get the offense in a position to make things interesting.

With just over a minute to go before halftime, Mayfield trucked Bobby Wagner and eluded other Commanders’ defenders to pick up 18 yards and ignite the troops. He then threaded the needle to connect with Mike Evans from a yard out (see above) to tie the game at 10-10.

In the third quarter, Mayfield drove the team down on a 10-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that ended with him finding Bucky Irving for a touchdown to re-take the lead.

Bucs’ Run Defense

Although the defense failed to wrap up Jayden Daniels for sacks behind the line of scrimmage, credit needs to be given for the work that they did containing him and the Commanders’ running backs. Daniels was held to just 13 carries for 36 rushing yards, while Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler also had quiet days on the ground, combining for just 43 rushing yards on 18 carries. That is impressive work by the Bucs’ front seven for clogging up running lanes, which helped make up for the lack of sacks to an extent.

K Chase McLaughlin

You know the story. If you are not familiar with the work of Chase McLaughlin this season, he has been an unsung hero for the Bucs. That continued on Sunday night as he knocked a 50-yard field goal through the uprights to open up the scoring. This weekly column is a way to recognize impressive players, and McLaughlin’s pinpoint accuracy and range throughout his time in Tampa Bay deserves more acknowledgment.