“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Washington 29, Tampa Bay 19 – Week 10, Nov. 10, 2021
Taylor Heinicke had perhaps his finest game for Washington, leading the Football Team to an upset win at FedEx Field over Tampa Bay 29-19.
Heinicke completed 26 of 32 for 256 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions, while the defending Super Bowl champion Tom Brady threw two interceptions that set up scores for Washington.
The 6-2 Buccaneers, though the road team, entered the game a solid 9.5-point favorite. But the Football Team, which was 2-6, found itself up 13-0, as Brady was intercepted twice.
Joey Slye connected on field goals from 56 and 28 yards. Heinicke connected with DeAndre Carter from 20 yards, and Washington led 13-0 in the second quarter.
Following a Buccaneers field goal, Joey Slye connected again, this time from 29 yards, with 58 seconds remaining in the half for a 16-3 Washington lead.
Brady connected with Cameron Brate from six yards, narrowing Tampa Bay’s deficit to 16-13 with 8:46 remaining in the third quarter.
Antonio Gibson scored from a yard out, extending Washington’s lead to 23-13 at 4:21 of the third quarter.
Brady then found Mike Evans from 40 yards, and the Bucs closed to 23-19, but Ryan Succup’s extra point was missed, meaning the Bucs couldn’t tie with a field goal but would need a touchdown.
Washington then drove 80 yards in 19 plays, taking 10:26 of time. Gibson again scored from one yard for the final 29-19 margin.
Terry McLaurin led Washington with six receptions for 59 yards, and Carter contributed 3 for 56 yards. Evans led Tampa Bay with 62 receiving yards, and Chris Godwin contributed 57. Brady finished 23 of 34 for 220 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Note: This was the game Washington defensive end Chase Young tore an ACL and was thus out for the remainder of 2021 and most of 2022.