In his 17th career playoff game, former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner — again — came up with a critical play.

Wagner’s fourth-quarter fumble recovery — the game’s lone turnover — led to Washington’s final touchdown against Tampa Bay, and was a turning point as the Commanders won, 23-20, to advance to the divisional round.

Wagner landed on a fumbled exchange between Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Jalen McMillan on a sweep, giving Washington the ball at the Tampa Bay 13 with 11:56 to play.

“I just saw the ball on the ground and had to go get it,” Wagner told Melissa Stark during an NBC postgame interview. “We needed a play, and I just tried to make it.”

This came four plays after the Commanders tried to convert a fourth-and-goal at the Buccaneers 3 while trailing 17-13 and were unable to do so.

With their second chance for a score, the Commanders capitalized.

Four plays after the fumble recovery, Washington retook the lead at 20-17 when Jayden Daniels found Terry McLaurin for a 5-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2 with 9:46 to play.

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While Tampa Bay responded with a field-goal scoring drive to tie the game with 4:41 to play, Daniels and the Commanders found a way to win.

The rookie sensation Daniels led a game-winning, 51-yard field goal drive that ate up the remainder of the clock.

That included the quarterback converting a third-and-6 with a 21-yard pass into Tampa Bay territory early in the possession, then converting a third-and-2 with his legs to extend the drive.

It set up a Zane Gonzalez 37-yard field goal attempt on the game’s final play. The kick hit off the right upright and through, sending the Commanders to the NFC divisional round, where they’ll face the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions.

Wagner had a big day, leading Washington with eight tackles, including five solo stops. He also recorded a half-sack and a QB hurry, in addition to the fumble recovery.

Daniels, in his first playoff start, threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 36 yards to pace the Commanders offense.

“He came in humble, does the work, has a lot of fun. It’s definitely fun being able to play with him,” Wagner said of Daniels.

Wagner’s effort was the highlight of more than a dozen players with Utah ties who competed in Sunday’s wild-card action. Here’s a look at how other Utah ties beside Wagner performed.

A player is on the active roster unless otherwise indicated.

Bills 31, Broncos 7

Buffalo

  • Cole Bishop, S, Utah: Bishop played but did not record any statistics.
  • Taron Johnson, CB, Weber State: Johnson started at nickel and had five tackles, including three solo stops.
  • Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah: Kincaid caught three passes for 47 yards, including a 35-yarder on third-and-4 to extend a fourth-quarter drive that ended with a field goal.

Denver

  • Cody Barton, LB, Utah and Brighton High: Barton started at linebacker and had eight tackles, including two solo stops.
  • Garett Bolles, OT, Utah, Snow College and Westlake High: Bolles started at left tackle for Denver.
  • Jonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Elliss played but did not record any statistics before leaving in the first half with a shoulder injury.
  • Devaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Vele was targeted twice but did not have a reception in the game.
  • Zach Wilson, QB, BYU and Corner Canyon High: Wilson was not active for the game.
  • Thomas Yassmin, TE, Utah: Yassmin did not play. He’s on Denver’s practice squad.

Eagles 22, Packers 10

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Philadelphia

  • Britain Covey, WR/RS, Utah and Timpview High: Covey did not play — he is on injured reserve.

Green Bay

  • Zayne Anderson, S, BYU and Stansbury High: Anderson was not active for the game.
  • Chris Brooks, RB, BYU: Brooks caught two passes for nine yards on three targets and also had a special teams tackle.
  • Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Love struggled in the Packers’ loss. Though he finished a decent 20 of 33 passing for 212 yards, he threw three interceptions. Love also ran for 10 yards on two carries.

Commanders 23, Buccaneers 20

Washington

  • Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Davis was not active for the game.
  • Bobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: See above.

Tampa Bay

  • Sua Opeta, OG, Weber State and Stansbury High: Opeta did not play — he is on injured reserve.
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