Dyami Brown’s Breakout Performance Leads Commanders to Playoff Victory

TAMPA, Fla. — In his first career postseason game, wide receiver Dyami Brown delivered a breakout performance, helping the Washington Commanders secure a 23-20 Wild Card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. Brown’s clutch plays, including a crucial touchdown and a game-changing catch, ended the Commanders’ nearly 20-year playoff win drought.

Brown, a fourth-year receiver, made his mark early in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jayden Daniels. The score capped a 17-play, 92-yard drive that put the Commanders on the board. “I had an end route in the back of the end zone, and they basically left me wide open,” Brown said with a laugh during his postgame press conference. “There ain’t much to explain right there.”

In the third quarter, Brown’s 22-yard catch-and-run set up kicker Zane Gonzalez for a field goal, giving Washington the lead. Earlier in the drive, Brown delivered a punishing block on Tampa Bay safety Mike Edwards, celebrating with a “too small” gesture that energized the Commanders’ sideline.

With the game tied at 20 and just over three minutes remaining, Brown made another critical catch, positioning Gonzalez for the game-winning 37-yard field goal. The kick, which ricocheted off the upright before going through, was dubbed the “Doink Heard ‘Round the World.” “[Gonzalez] made it — so, congratulations to us,” Brown said. “It’s kind of tricky to see a little doink go in, but we’ll take that one.”

Brown finished the game with five receptions for a team-high 89 yards and one touchdown. His performance was a stark contrast to his regular-season stats, where he recorded just 30 receptions for 308 yards and one touchdown. “I’m just grateful — even for that opportunity,” Brown said. “I know previous years weren’t like that — but just [having] the opportunity that I’m given, I’m grateful for it.”

Head Coach Dan Quinn praised Brown’s resilience and team-first mentality. “Certainly proud of him because [he] got injured just a few weeks ago and worked hard to get back to make sure he was ready and able to deliver in that spot,” Quinn said. “There’s a lot of guys that are ready to step into those moments.”

The Commanders now advance to the NFC Divisional Round, where they will face the top-seeded Detroit Lions. Brown’s emergence as a reliable target could prove pivotal against a Lions defense known for its aggressive play. “They’ve all stepped up when their number’s been called,” offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. “To have a game like that in that environment was really cool to see.”