Tag: nfc wild card

Commanders defeat Buccaneers, heading to Detroit for NFC divisional round

The Commanders win. Up next: The Detroit Lions.

For the first time in 19 years, the Washington Commanders have won a playoff game. On Sunday night, Washington kicker Zane Gonzalez kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Commanders to a 23-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In typical Washington fashion, Gonzalez made it interesting, bouncing his kick off the right upright, but the bounce went the Commanders’ way.

Now, the Commanders head to Detroit to face the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Detroit Lions. The game is scheduled for Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels was again phenomenal for the Commanders, completing 24 of 35 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also carried the ball 13 times for 36 yards, but no carry was as big as his final one on third-and-1 to set up Gonzalez’s game-winner.

Here’s that play.

On the next snap, Daniels kneeled to run the clock down and give Gonzalez a chance to win the game. The Buccaneers were out of timeouts.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin caught seven passes for 89 yards and a touchdown and Dyami Brown had one of his best NFL games with five receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Washington won the turnover battle as Bobby Wagner recovered a fumbled exchange in the third quarter, and the Commanders punched it in a few plays later when Daniels found McLaurin.

 

Commanders-Buccaneers inactives: Who’s in, who’s out for NFL wild-card game

Which players are in for the Commanders in Sunday’s NFC wild-card game? Who is out? The inactive list is here.

The Washington Commanders will play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card game Sunday night at Raymond James Stadium. Before kickoff, the Commanders released their inactive list containing some good news.

Wide receiver/punt returner Jamison Crowder is active and will play. Crowder was listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report with a hamstring injury. Crowder has been a key part of the offense in recent weeks since his return from injured reserve.

Also, other players, such as cornerback Marshon Lattimore, offensive tackles Andrew Wylie, Cornelius Lucas, Brandon Coleman, and center Tyler Biadasz, are all active and will play. Each of these players had been dealing with an injury.

Here are Washington’s inactives for Sunday night:

  • 13 WR K.J. Osborn
  • 16 QB Jeff Driskel (Emergency 3rd QB)
  • 22 S Darrick Forrest
  • 24 CB Michael Davis
  • 36 RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
  • 45 LB Dominique Hampton
  • 75 G Chris Paul

The biggest surprise here may be Rodriguez. The second-year running back has excelled when given an opportunity recently, with injuries to Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Ekeler is back healthy, so Washington’s running back rotation will consist of him, Robinson, and Jeremy McNichols.

 

NFL wild-card picks: Who are experts taking in Commanders vs. Buccaneers?

Who are the experts taking in Sunday’s wild-card matchup between the Commanders and Bucs?

The Washington Commanders (12-5) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in an NFC Wild Card Weekend showdown on Sunday Night Football. It’s the second meeting of the season, as the teams met in Week 1, with the Bucs coming out 37-20 winners.

What can we take from that game?

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was phenomenal in the first game. He passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns, finishing with only six incompletions.

On the other side, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels played in his first NFL game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards. Daniels also led Washington with 88 rushing yards and two touchdowns. It was a conservative offensive game plan for the Commanders in Week 1 and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury began to open things up in Week 2.

After that game, Washington would win 12 of its next 16 games, including the final five of the regular season. The Bucs are hot, too, entering Sunday as winners of six of their last seven games.

Who wins on Sunday?

According to NFL Pickwatch, 66% of the experts believe the Buccaneers will also take the rematch. The Bucs are 3-point favorites over the Commanders.

Can Daniels perform another Sunday night miracle like he did two weeks ago?

Commanders and Bucs have plenty of NFC playoff history

Washington and Tampa Bay have an interesting playoff history.

Though the Commanders have only appeared in the playoffs six times in the last quarter century, they have faced the Tampa Bay Bucs half of those times.

Yes, in the last 25 seasons, the Washington NFL franchise known as the Redskins, Football Team, and now Commanders failed to qualify for the NFC playoffs for 18 seasons.

Here are the three times in the last 25 years Washington made the playoffs and then faced the Tampa Bay Bucs in the playoffs.

  • In 1999, Norv Turner coached the Redskins to the NFC East title with a 10-6 record. Washington defeated the Detroit Lions 27-13 in Landover, then traveled to Tampa to face the Bucs. Brian Mitchell returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. Washington would lead 13-0 before the Bucs scored two touchdowns, taking a 14-13 lead. In the last minutes, Washington gained two first downs and, on fourth & 3 from the 33, set up to kick a 50-yard field goal. However, a bad snap by Dan Turk forced Brad Johnson to attempt a pass, which fell incomplete.
  • In 2005, Joe Gibbs’ team finished 10-6, winning their last five regular season games. The first-round game was again played in Tampa, FL. LB LaVar Arrington intercepted a Chris Simms pass in the first quarter, returning the ball inside the Bucs’ 10. Clinton Portis scored on a six-yard touchdown. Still, in the first quarter, Sean Taylor picked up a fumble and ran 51 yards for a touchdown for a 14-0 lead. The Washington offense could only generate 120 yards all day. However, the defense kept Tampa Bay to 243 yards and won the turnover battle 3-1, as Washington held on to win 17-10.
  • The 2020 season was bizarre. Washington somehow won the NFC East, though they only achieved a 7-9 regular season record. The Bucs (11-5 wild card) came to Landover. Washington fell behind early, 9-0 and 18-7. Taylor Heinicke pulled off his spectacular diving touchdown run diving out to touch the pylon for an 8-yard touchdown, reducing the deficit to 18-16. But Tom Brady led the Bucs to a 31-23 win.

Can the Commanders even the score against the Bucs on Sunday?

Prediction and betting odds for Commanders vs. Buccaneers in NFC wild-card game

Analyzing Commanders vs. Buccaneers game with odds and lines, predictions and best bets.

The Washington Commanders (12-5) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in an NFC wild-card game from Raymond James Stadium. It’s a rematch from Week 1 of the 2024 season, which the Buccaneers won 37-20.

Much has changed for both teams since Week 1. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels just finished the greatest rookie season for a QB in NFL history, helping the Commanders win 12 regular-season games for the first time in 33 years. Washington has won five games in a row heading into Sunday’s matchup.

Tampa Bay enters this matchup red-hot, too, having won six of its last seven games. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had a career year, passing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. Running back Bucky Irving was one of the NFL’s breakout rookies.

Below are the latest odds and our final score prediction for Sunday.

Commanders vs. Buccaneers game odds:

All NFL Odds via BetMGM:

  • Point spread: Commanders 3 (-110) / Buccaneers +3 (-110)
  • Money line: Commanders +135 / Buccaneers -160
  • Over-under: 50.5 (O: -110 / U: -110)

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Commanders vs. Buccaneers injury updates:

  • Commanders WR Jamison Crowder: Questionable (hamstring)
  • Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean: Questionable (knee)
  • Buccaneers S Mike Edwards: Questionable (quad)
  • Buccaneers DL Logan Hall: Questionable (groin)
  • Buccaneers TE Cade Otton: Questionable (knee)
  • Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield: Questionable (knee)

Commanders vs. Buccaneers prediction, pick:

Bryan Manning:

I believe the Commanders will move the ball well on offense. I am not sure that the running game will get going, but Jayden Daniels will again lead Washington in rushing. If OC Kliff Kingsbury targets Terry McLaurin enough, he’ll have a big game. There are questions in Tampa’s secondary. Defensively is another story. Washington’s run defense is poor in every metric. You don’t have to dig into analytics to see how much the Commanders have struggled against the run. That will prove to be the difference in the game. While Mayfield will play well, Bucky Irving is the X-Factor, and will rush for over 100 yards.

Pick: Buccaneers 34, Commanders 27

Ivan Lambert:

Jayden Daniels has made spectacular plays all season, helping lead the Commanders to 12 wins. But he has also held on to the ball too long at times, being sacked the sixth most times (47) in the NFL this season.

On the other side of the ball, Baker Mayfield carved up the Commanders in game one. They only hit him four times and only sacked him once. The defense will need to do much better against Mayfield, who passed for 4,500 yards this season and had 41 touchdowns.

Bucky Irving is the other significant factor, having rushed for 1,122 yards this season. He can make people miss and get a big play for the Bucs offense.

Washington is a different team than they were in Jayden Daniels’s first NFL game. But with the advent of Irving, the Bucs are better, too.

Pick: Buccaneers 31, Commanders 27

Commanders vs. Buccaneers channel, start time, streaming:

The Commanders vs. Buccaneers game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET and can be seen on NBC or streamed on Peacock.

Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire.

How to watch Commanders vs Buccaneers today: Time, TV channel for NFC wild-card game

It’s Commanders vs Buccaneers in an NFC wild-card showdown. Here’s how to watch, including kickoff, channel, and betting odds.

On Sunday, the Washington Commanders (12-5) play their first playoff game in four years as they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) in a rematch from Week 1.

Here’s how to watch the Commanders vs. Buccaneers game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information:

What channel is Commanders vs Buccaneers game on today? Time, TV schedule

TV Channel: NBC

Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Commanders vs. Buccaneers will be broadcast nationally on NFL Wild Card Weekend. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will call the game from the booth at Raymond James Stadium, with Melissa Stark reporting from the sidelines.

Where to watch Commanders vs Buccaneers on livestream

Streaming options for the game include Fubo and Peacock if you live in the local market of the teams.

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Commanders vs Buccaneers predictions, picks, odds

Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY: Commanders 26, Buccaneers 17

I think the wrong team is favored here. The Tampa defense often stacks the box to try to stop the run, and, if it does that, I could see Jayden Daniels having a big day. Yet, because he’s mobile and an elite dual threat option, if the Bucs drop players in coverage, Daniels can gain big chunks on the ground.

NFL Playoff picks: Unlock exclusive data-driven predictions 

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Commanders 26, Buccaneers 24

Can rookie Jayden Daniels help the Commanders get their first playoff win since the 2005 season? Daniels has proved doubters wrong all season. His dual-threat ability will cause problems for Tampa Bay’s defense. The Bucs beat the Commanders in Week 1, but Washington is a much different team now.

Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY: Commanders 23, Buccaneers

Jayden Daniels has grown so much since his first game, and he should have a much easier time cracking through the Buccaneers defense. Tampa Bay’s offense starts off slow and is unable to recover and the Commanders get the last laugh over the Buccaneers.

ODDS: Buccaneers by 3

O/U: 50.5

All NFL Odds via BetMGM.

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Commanders schedule 2024

  • Week 1: at Tampa Bay (L, 37-20)
  • Week 2: vs. New York Giants (W, 21-18)
  • Week 3: at Cincinnati (W, 38-33)
  • Week 4: at Arizona (W, 42-14)
  • Week 5: vs. Cleveland (W, 34-13)
  • Week 6: at Baltimore (L, 30-23)
  • Week 7: vs. Carolina (W, 40-7)
  • Week 8: vs. Chicago (W, 18-15
  • Week 9: at New York Giants (W, 27-22)
  • Week 10: vs. Pittsburgh (L, 28-27)
  • Week 11: at Philadelphia (L, 26-18)
  • Week 12: vs. Dallas (L, 34-26)
  • Week 13: vs. Tennessee (W, 42-19)
  • Week 14: BYE
  • Week 15: at New Orleans (W, 20-19)
  • Week 16: vs. Philadelphia (W, 36-33)
  • Week 17: vs. Atlanta (W, 30-24)
  • Week 18: at Dallas (W, 23-19)
  • Record: 12-5

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Commanders’ roster moves ahead of Wild Card game vs. Bucs

What does this mean for Jamison Crowder’s status?

It’s Saturday, and yes, the Commanders made a roster move.

Actually, they made two moves on the eve of their first NFC playoff game since the 2020 season when they lost to the Tampa Bay Bucs in the opening round.

Saturday, the Commanders elevated WR Chris Moore and CB Kevon Seymour from the practice squad.

This signals us that Jamison Crowder, who recently injured a hamstring, may not be ready to go Sunday against the Bucs. This is unfortunate because Crowder has played well since returning from the injured reserve after injuring a calf earlier in the season.

Crowder displayed an ability, a veteran’s knowledge, to get open down in the red zone when he caught two touchdowns against the Eagles. He has also been averaging 10.1 yards on his punt returns.

The team, in recent weeks, signed WR K.J. Osborn, and he has seen some action on offense as well as special teams.

Moore, 31, has played five games for the Cardinals this season, including against the Commanders on September 29, when Washington defeated Arizona 42-14. Although he has not received a reception this season, he has kickoff return experience, having returned 50 in his career.

Seymour’s elevation “could” mean the Commanders have reached the point where they may want to play Seymour over CB Michael Davis, who is 30.

Of note, the Commanders elevated DT Carl Davis three consecutive games but have not since Jonathan Allen’s return. Last week they elevated T Bobby Hart and DB Bobby Price, but apparently thought differently for this game against the Bucs.

NFC Wild Card: Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds and lines, with expert NFL picks and predictions.

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The Washington Commanders (12-5) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) meet Sunday in an NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Commanders vs. Buccaneers odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Commanders pulled off an incredible 8-game turnaround this season, closing it out with a thrilling 23-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. Even though they didn’t cover as 7-point road favorites, they ended the year on a 5-game win streak. The Under (43) also hit.

A huge part of their success was rookie QB Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick. He put up a record-breaking year with 3,568 passing yards, 25 touchdowns and just 9 picks while completing 69% of his throws. Daniels also set the rookie QB rushing record with 891 yards.

WR Terry McLaurin made history too, breaking the team record for most receiving touchdowns in a season with 13. The Commanders hit 12 wins for the first time since 1991 — the last time they won the Super Bowl. A turnaround like this doesn’t happen often, and Washington’s season will be one to remember.

The Buccaneers closed out the regular season in style, winning 6 of their last 7 games to secure their fourth straight NFC South title. They capped it off with a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 18, though they missed covering as 15-point home favorites. The Over (44.5) hit.

QB Baker Mayfield delivered a career-best season, finishing 3rd in the NFL with 4,500 passing yards, 2nd with 41 touchdowns and 4th in passer rating (106.8). His 71.4% completion rate was 3rd-best in the league.

WR Mike Evans continued his record-breaking streak, reaching 1,000 yards receiving for the 11th consecutive season, tying Jerry Rice. He also snagged 11 touchdowns, marking his fourth double-digit TD season in the last 5 years.

Rookie RB Bucky Irving emerged as a force, leading all rookies with 1,122 rushing yards (10th in the NFL) and adding 392 receiving yards.

This marks Tampa Bay’s first 10-win season since its 2021 Super Bowl run, setting it up for another playoff charge.

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Commanders at Buccaneers odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Saturday at 5:55 p.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Commanders +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Buccaneers -165 (bet $165 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Commanders +3 (-110) | Buccaneers -3 (-110)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Commanders at Buccaneers key injuries

Commanders

  • WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring) questionable
  • TE Colson Yankoff (hamstring) out

Buccaneers

  • CB Jamel Dean (knee) questionable
  • S Mike Edwards (quad) questionable
  • DL Logan Hall (groin) questionable
  • CB Troy Hill (knee/foot) out
  • TE Cade Otton (knee) questionable
  • S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) questionable

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Commanders at Buccaneers picks and predictions

Prediction

Commanders 27, Tampa Bay 24

Moneyline

BET COMMANDERS (+140).

This matchup feels like a coin flip. The Buccaneers and Commanders have split their last 10 meetings and are deadlocked at 13-13 all-time, including splitting 2 Wild Card matchups. Tampa Bay is laying 3 points as the home team, but these squads are evenly matched.

The game will come down to playmakers stepping up when it matters most. Both teams are vastly different from their Week 1 meeting — a 37-20 Buccaneers home win Sept. 8. That was Daniels’ first professional game and first road start. He looked nervous and timid, especially in the first half. Tampa’s leading receiver in that game was WR Chris Godwin (ankle), who’s now out for the season.

Evans remains the Bucs’ biggest threat, but Washington traded for CB Marshon Lattimore at the deadline precisely for matchups like this. We’ve seen the fireworks between these two before, and the bad blood will be real.

The key questions: Can the Commanders slow down Tampa Bay’s backfield duo of Irving and Rachaad White? And can the Bucs contain Daniels, who’s been willing Washington to victories all season?

It’s tough to call, but I like the Commanders at plus odds to pull off the road upset.

Against the spread

PASS.

If you would feel better getting points with the Commanders, I completely understand, but I’ll take the moneyline.

Over/Under

BET OVER 50.5 (-110).

The Sept. 8 meeting totaled 57 points, and there’s no reason to expect anything different Sunday.

The Over has hit in 5 of Tampa Bay’s last 6 games and 4 of Washington’s last 6. The Buccaneers boast the NFL’s 4th-best scoring offense, averaging 29.5 points per game (PPG), while the Commanders rank right behind them at 28.5 PPG.

With both offenses firing, this game feels destined to go Over.

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Commanders vs. Buccaneers: 3 key matchups to watch in NFC Wild Card Round

Here are the top three matchups in Sunday’s showdown between the Commanders and Buccaneers.

It’s time for the rematch. On Sunday, the sixth-seeded Washington Commanders head south to face the third-seeded Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium.

These teams met back in Week 1, with the Bucs coming away with a 37-20 win. Quarterback Baker Mayfield passed for four touchdowns and had just six incompletions. On the other side, Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels made his first NFL start, completing 17 of 24 passes for 184 yards and also rushed for 88 yards and two touchdowns.

Daniels is a different player now, and the Commanders are a much different team. With 12 wins, Washington won its most games in a single season in 33 years. The Commanders feature one of the NFL’s top offenses, largely due to Daniels’ dual-threat ability, and enter Sunday on a five-game winning streak.

Who has the advantage in Sunday’s showdown? It all comes down to matchups. While multiple matchups will significantly impact the game’s outcome, we’ve identified the top three.

Commanders run defense vs. Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7). Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Irving has rushed for over 1,100 yards as a rookie. In the Week 1 matchup, Irving led the Bucs with 62 yards on just nine carries. Tampa’s run game was up and down through nine weeks, but when Irving took over as the primary back around Week 10, the Bucs’ offense went from good to great. Mayfield was terrific all season, but he was even more effective when opposing defenses had to account for Irving.

The Commanders have struggled to stop the run all year. You can bet the Buccaneers are coming after Washington’s front seven. If Irving has a big day, you can almost bet Tampa Bay wins this game. The Commanders must find a way to limit Irving. This would be a good time for Washington’s high-priced defensive tackles to make an impact.

Marshon Lattimore vs. Mike Evans

Marshon Lattimore #23, Mike Evans #13. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

These two have a long history, and while it’s fun for fans, much more will be at stake in this meeting between the two longtime rivals. Lattimore and Evans have battled for years, dating back to 2017. Both players have won their share of battles, but Lattimore has often come out on top. He’s only played two games for Washington since being acquired at the NFL trade deadline. He’s returning on Sunday against Evans after missing the last two games with the same hamstring injury.

Mayfield and Evans are going to test Lattimore. Coming off a hamstring injury, the Bucs want to see how healthy Lattimore is. Mayfield is terrific, but he’s also known for being a gunslinger. There will be a ball or two for Washington to intercept, and it could come in this matchup between Lattimore and Evans. Washington needs to come out on top in this matchup, and Lattimore has proven he’s up for the challenge in the past.

Jayden Daniels vs. Todd Bowles

Jayden Daniels #5. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

In Week 1, Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles was aggressive against Daniels and the Commanders. Bowles blitzed Daniels a lot in Week 1, but offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s game plan called for quick passes, so he took only two sacks. Since then, Daniels has proven he can make blitzing defenses pay; ask the Eagles. However, Bowles will remain aggressive, even if Daniels gains the upper hand. How Daniels handles Tampa’s blitzing could be the most critical element of this game. This is where having running back Austin Ekeler could be huge for Washington.

Richard Sherman says Marshon Lattimore will get under Mike Evans’ skin

Sherman thinks this rivalry will impact Sunday’s game.

It’s only fitting that the Washington Commanders play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL wild-card matchup on Sunday Night Football. While the game was scheduled for Sunday night because of Washington rookie Jayden Daniels, the most intriguing matchup doesn’t involve either quarterback — Daniels or Baker Mayfield.

Instead, everyone is talking about the matchup of Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans against Washington cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

Lattimore has missed six of eight games since the Commanders acquired him at November’s NFL trade deadline. After sitting the last two games, there was no way Lattimore would miss this game.

Lattimore and Evans have a history — an ugly but entertaining one. Lattimore and Evans were NFC South rivals for years when the former played for the New Orleans Saints.  Both players won their fair share of battles against one another.

However, their battles were personal. Evans has drawn penalties, ejections, and fines and served two separate one-game suspensions due to altercations with Lattimore, often after the whistle.

Former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman wasn’t just one of the best defensive backs in the league when he played; he was also a trash talker. Now one of the NFL’s best analysts for Amazon Prime, Sherman believes this rivalry will continue on Sunday.

“Oh, it’s going to make an impact; I am sure they’re going to have Lattimore follow him because Mike is a huge target and a huge part of their offense,” Sherman said on “Up & Adams.”

“Yeah, they got real history. In New Orleans, it was even bigger because the teams understood it; the teams had conflict, so it went further than just Mike and Lattimore. It went through the whole team. But I think the Commanders will back him up even though he’s only been there for a little while. He’s going to continue to be him. He’s going to continue to try to get under Mike’s skin, and Mike’s going to continue to feel a way about him. So, I can’t wait to watch it, that’s one of my favorite matchups.”

So, who gets the best of this matchup?

“I don’t know,” Sherman said. “Marshon’s had a lot of good games against Mike. But Mike’s in a zone right now, and Baker (Mayfield) is gonna feed him, and I’m sure Baker knows the history, and Baker is petty in that way, and I like that about him. So I think Mike will have more opportunities to go after him.”

You can bet Mayfield will go after Lattimore. He’s played only two games in almost three months and is coming off a hamstring injury. The Eagles tested Lattimore in Week 16, and he aggravated the hamstring after an up-and-down battle with A.J. Brown.

You can bet both head coaches have spoken with Lattimore and Evans about maintaining their composure. One penalty could make a huge difference, and the stakes are much higher this time around, as the pair have never met in the playoffs.