TAMPA, Fla. – Whenever quarterback Jayden Daniels’ sensational rookie season finally ends, the Washington Commanders and their fans will have much to recall fondly.

Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, the curtain hasn’t dropped yet.

During the NFC’s wild-card playoff round Sunday night, Daniels shined yet again in visiting Washington’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the Commanders’ first postseason win since 2006.

Displaying his rare combination of talent and mettle that has breathed new life into Washington and its formerly despondent fan base, Daniels moved the team methodically in 10 plays covering 51 yards late in the fourth quarter. Place kicker Zane Gonzalez punctuated the victory with a 37-yard field-goal as time expired, though the Commanders and their supporters at Raymond James Stadium froze momentarily as the ball hit the inside of the right goal post before landing over the crossbar.

On the climactic drive, Daniels made key plays both passing and running (with only 55 seconds showing on the game clock, he gained four yards on a designed run on third-and-2 to set up the game-winning kick) to lead the Commanders into the divisional round. The top-seeded Detroit Lions will play host to sixth-seeded Washington on Saturday.

Following a raucous closed-door celebration in the visitors’ locker room, the Commanders were united in their view of the person who has played the biggest role in ending their long winter.

“This is what he’s been doing all season,” All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin said of Daniels. “To see Jayden continue to get us in the right calls, execute what [offensive play-caller Kliff Kingsbury] is calling, showing poise, I mean, just taking complete command of the game, complete command of the huddle … I’m fortunate to play with him and see how much he’s grown this year. That’s who he is. He’s been blessed with unbelievable ability. But his ability to just be ready for any moment that comes his way is definitely special.”

For good reason, the Commanders have come to expect late-game heroics from Daniels. He has had so many signature moments in what will likely result in his selection as the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, it’s hard to rank them.

Surely, most Commanders fans would point to Daniels’ 52-yard desperation pass to Noah Brown as time expired in an 18-15 Week 8 victory over the visiting Chicago Bears. Then again, in Week 17, Daniels was a wizard down the stretch in a 30-24 victory in overtime over the visiting Atlanta Falcons.

Of course, the NFL postseason is much different than the regular season. Not everyone is built for the pressure, especially many who play the most important position in sports. Daniels’ performance in the regular season, however, provided clues as to what the Commanders could expect from him on the biggest stages.

Typically, he didn’t disappoint.

Returning to the stadium where he made his career debut back in Week 1 (the Commanders lost, 37-20), Daniels completed 24 passes in 35 attempts for 268 passing yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. He had an outstanding passer rating of 110.2 and also led the Commanders with 36 rushing yards.

After the Buccaneers tied the score at 20-all on a field goal, the Commanders got the ball back on their 30-yard line with 4:41 to play in the fourth.

“Nothing needed to be said,” said McLaurin, who led the team with seven receptions for 89 receiving yards and teamed with Daniels on a 5-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter to help Washington take a 20-17 lead.

“We just looked each other in the eye and we were like, ‘They don’t get the ball back.’ You know what I mean? Like, we finish it with the ball in our hands and it’s our time.”

On third-and-6 from the 34-yard line early in the drive, Daniels connected with Brown for 21 yards on a deep pass down the middle. His third-down run later in the drive was as clutch.

“Kliff called my number” on the designed run on third down, Daniels said. “Essentially, before [that play], I told him, ‘Hey. You can put the ball in my hands.’ ”

You know what you call leaning on Daniels? Great coaching.

Commanders left guard Nick Allegretti and right tackle Andrew Wylie have seen this sort of thing before. Before joining the Commanders, they won Super Bowls while blocking for another quarterback with potential – Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs.

“To draw a comparison to Pat … it’s something you almost you don’t wanna do yet,” Allegretti said. “He’s different.

“However, you watch Jay in the fourth quarter, when the game’s on the line, [or] on fourth down … there’s just a play-making ability [only some] quarterbacks have. He gives you that confidence that if you do your job, if you just give him the time [to pass] or give him the lanes that he needs [to run], he’s gonna make a play. And that’s awesome.”

Wylie is in lockstep with Allegretti.

“In winning-time moments, you can look at guys like that and see they’re 100-percent dialed into winning no matter what,” Wylie said. “Jayden has that dog in him. He has that killer mentality that I’ve seen before.”

The Commanders are watching a great, young quarterback at work. In his first season, he’s already among the game’s best. And for a franchise that wandered aimlessly in the desert for decades, oh what a sight to behold.

Jason Reid is the senior NFL writer at Andscape. He enjoys watching sports, especially any games involving his son and daughter.