“Philly has a chance to win the Super Bowl because they dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides.” – Jason Garrett on the Eagles

“As the game progressed, we knew that the ‘Magic Man’ was going to make some plays. He always makes us say “Wow.” – Chris Simms on QB Josh Allen in the win against the Broncos

“Three stiff arms in a game? This is the image of domination.” – Devin McCourty on Eagles’ TE Dallas Goedert’s catch-and-run TD in the win against the Packers

“He ain’t got a chip on his shoulder – he’s got a damn mountain.” – Garrett on Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

“Offensive coordinator will be his most important hire, and which name should you keep an eye on? Josh McDaniels.” – Mike Florio on the Patriots’ potential offensive coordinator under new head coach Mike Vrabel

STAMFORD, Connecticut – January 12, 2025 – NBC Sports’ Football night in America began its NFL Wild Card Weekend coverage leading up to tonight’s Commanders-Buccaneers game on NBC, Peacock and Universo from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Mary Taylor hosted FNIA from NBC Sports Studio 3 in Stamford, Connecticut. She was joined by the former head coach of the Dallas Cowboys Jason Garrettthree-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourtyformer NFL quarterback Chris SimmsNFL Insider Mike Florioand pioneer of the fantasy sports industry Matthew Berry. Hall of Fame head coach Tony Dungytwo-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrisonand co-host Jac Collinsworth Joined from the game’s website.

Mike Tirico (Piece by piece), Cris Collinsworth (Analyst), Melissa Stark (part-time reporter) and Terry McAulay (Rules analyst) determine today’s game.

Pregame coverage included McCourty’s “Gets It” segment with Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfieldas well as Harrison’s interview with Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield.

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Below are tonight’s highlights Football night in America on NBC and Peacock:

ABOUT COMMANDERS

Garrett on how to schedule the start of the game for QB Jayden Daniels: “I have spent many Friday evenings in my life racking my brain over the first 15 tracks. You have many goals… but the most important goal by far is to get your quarterback in the game. You want him to be 5 for 5 without thinking about it. When you have a quarterback like that Jayden Danielsone way to get him in the game is to let it run…get him sweating, make positive plays, he’ll get some rhythm and play better as the game goes on…it never has one Given the moment, it was too big for this guy.”

Simms on QB Jayden Daniels and his threat to walk away: “It starts with his arm. It starts with him trying to throw the football, being patient and letting the plays go down the field. This helps the defenders and opens up the lanes because they are worried about defending the pass.”

Dungy over WR Terry McLaurin: “I know the Buccaneers will have a lot of blitzes, so McLaurin should have plenty of opportunities to play one-on-one tonight, and he told me he wants the ball early.”

ABOUT Buccaneers

Dungy on the Buccaneers’ defense: “They’re excited because they have two of their starters at second back – their cornerback Jamel Deanwho is an excellent man-to-man cover guy, and Antoine Winfieldwho is the quarterback of this defense. (head coach) Todd Bowles He told me on Friday that he loves having Winfield back because he’s the adjuster and gets everyone going. Speaking of adaptations, Todd Bowles is one of the best. In the last five games, they haven’t given up a second-half touchdown because of Todd and those adjustments.”

Harrison over RB Bucky Irving: “He’s something special. Every time we looked at this offense during the season, we would say that this offense looks quicker and more explosive when he is in the game.”

Harrison on how the Buccaneers defense should approach Commanders QB Jayden Daniels: “Lots of flashes, lots of disguises. Force the young man to come to the battle line and not feel comfortable about it. Force him to take a look at the defense and guess.”

Garrett over QB Baker Mayfield: “I love his moxie. He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder, he has a damn mountain. That’s how he plays. He’s a very emotional guy. So when you train a man like that, you have to calm him down… Get him to finish without thinking about it and he can use his legs too.”

Simms on the Buccaneers offense: “It poses problems for Washington tonight. They can run the ball as well as anyone else in the game Bucky Irving – we’ve seen it over the last month and a half … and we know Baker Mayfield is going to take it easy and throw the ball down the field.”

ON EAGLE

Garrett on TE Dallas Goedert’s TD catch-and-run: “He looks like Derrick Henry! Once stiff arm, stiff arm again!”

McCourty: “Three stiff arms in a game? This is the picture of domination.”

Garrett on the Eagles’ win over the Packers: “They had some problems throwing the football in this game, but that’s how they play. Pass the ball Saquon (Barkley), play great defense and take the ball away. It’s a good formula.”

Simms: “The passing game has to get better. Today was easy, and it’s been very easy all year…hopefully they knocked some rust off today. Jalen hurts hasn’t practiced in a few weeks, this was his first game in a few weeks and it showed early on. Things have to be better next week.”

Garrett on the Eagles: “Philly has a chance to win the Super Bowl because they dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides.”

Simms on WR AJ Brown reading a book on the sidelines of today’s game: “That’s called personal growth.”

Garrett: “Always try to get better.”

ON INVOICES

Simms on QB Josh Allen in the win against the Broncos: “He showed an MVP-typical performance.”

Simms on win against Broncos: “The running game was the story early on. They dominated the line of scrimmage… as the game progressed we know the “Magic Man” was going to make some plays. He always makes us say ‘Wow.’

ABOUT COACHING CAROUSEL

Florio on Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury: “Baker Mayfield really wants to Liam Coen to return for a second season and beyond. The Jaguars have requested an interview with Coen and depending on how things go tonight, other teams could show interest. For Cliff Kingsburythe Commanders offensive coordinator, here is the most important point. The Cardinals are still paying him and will pay him as a mid-level head coach through 2026. He’s not in a hurry at all. The Bears and Saints will want to interview him as will the Jaguars, but one or more of them could be turned down…he’s in no hurry to leave.”

Florio on the Patriots’ hiring of Mike Vrabel as head coach and possible personnel additions: “Vrabel is a defensive head coach. Offensive coordinator will be his most important hire, and which name should you keep an eye on? Josh McDaniels. He and Vrabel have a good relationship and I’m told it’s definitely a possibility that McDaniels could be back in New England.”

— Football night in America —