Washington Commander’s kicker Zane Gonzalez adjusted and changed his kicking leg shoe and socks before delivering a nerve-racking, doinked 37-yard field goal to clinch a dramatic 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Wild Card round. The kick that ricocheted off the upright before sneaking through marked Washington’s first playoff win since 2005, giving the team the nickname “Cardiac Commanders.”
Throughout the game’s final minutes, Gonzalez became the unforeseen focal point of the broadcast as cameras captured his visibly anxious aura. The kicker paced back and forth along the sideline, constantly fidgeting with his hair and chinstrap in what fans called a “nervous tick.”
As rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels orchestrated a composed 10-play drive to set up the game-winning kick, Gonzalez could be seen rehearsing his kicking motion, with his body language showing his nerves. In the moments leading up to the field goal, Gonzalez made a subtle yet significant change, swapping his kicking cleat and adjusting his socks.
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The NBC commentary team, led by Cris Collinsworth, joked about the sock and shoe adjustment and said, “That may have been the six-inch adjustment he needed to win the game.” When the ball was snapped and the game on the line, Gonzalez sent his kick flying toward the uprights, only for it to glance off the right post.
Fans held their breath for a split second, but the ball bounced through. The dink caused an uproar at Raymond James Stadium and the Washington sideline, and commentators immediately dubbed the kick the “Divisional Doink.”
Gonzalez connected on a 52-yard field goal earlier in the game and finished going a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals. While the kicker’s nerves were on full display online, Daniels showcased the composure of a seasoned veteran. Footage released postgame highlighted Daniels’ stone-cold reaction to Gonzalez’s game-winning kick. While his teammates erupted in celebration, Daniels remained seated on the bench, getting up last with a subtle smile.