Commanders vs. Lions NFC Divisional Round Preview (1-17-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Washington Commanders
DETROIT, MI – The Washington Commanders travel to Ford Field Saturday evening, to take on the number one-seeded Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the 2024 NFL Playoffs.
Detroit (15-2) enjoyed a bye in the first week of playoff action and is waiting to see who their opponent will be this weekend.
Enter the Washington Commanders. Washington (12-5) comes in after an upset 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rookie Jayden Daniels led a clutch game-winning drive, setting up kicker Zane Gonzalez for a 37-yard field goal that doinked off the right post into the back.
Daniels had another stellar performance completing 24-of-35 passes for 268 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. He also became one of four quarterbacks (Joe Flacco (2008), Mark Sanchez (2009), and Russell Wilson (2012) to win a road playoff start in their rookie season. Secondly, he joined Peyton Manning and Josh Allen as the only quarterbacks where his team didn’t punt or commit a turnover. Finally, Daniels joined Washington legend former quarterback Sammy Baugh as the only rookie quarterback to throw for at least two touchdown passes in a road playoff victory.
Already enough records, onto the game at hand.
Washington’s Three Keys To Victory
● Get The Running Backs Going In The Ground Game: In the Wild Card victory, Running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols combined for 19 carries to go along with 44 rushing yards. Another game where the rushing attack was taken away by the opposing defense. If Washington wants to play spoiler for the second straight week, they’ll have to get the running backs going. The Lions’ defense will already key in on Daniels, the hope is that it will open up lanes down the “A” & “B” gaps for the backers to shoot through for big gains.
● Make Stops On Fourth Downs: Everyone in the world knows how Lions head coach Dan Campbell operates when it comes to fourth down. If his offense is on the plus side of the field, 9 times-outta-10 he’s going for it. The Lions have so many weapons with their receiving and running back corps that “why wouldn’t they feel confident in their ability to convert?” Detroit has converted 66.67 % of 33 which ranked sixth. Funny enough, Washington led the league with an 82.14% conversion rate. When that opportunity comes on Saturday, Joe Whitt’s defense has to be able to make a stop, get Detroit’s offense off the field, and get the ball in the hands of Daniels. The overall flow of drives and the game itself will fall on the ability to do so.
● Make Explosive Plays In Big Moments: Let’s go through some big plays last week against Tampa Bay:
(TB 3- WSH 0) 2nd Quarter: 3rd & Goal on TB 10, 9:31 on the clock- 10-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Dyami Brown.
(TB 17- WSH 13) 3rd Quarter: 4th & 5 on TB 37, 1:19 on the clock- 14-yard grab by Zach Ertz, first down Washington.
(TB 17- WSH 13) 4th Quarter: 4th & 2 on TB 5, 9:50 on the clock- 5-yard touchdown pass over the middle of the field to Terry McLaurin.
(TB 20- WSH 20) 4th Quarter: 3rd & 6 on WSH 34, 3:23 on the clock- Deep middle pass from Daniels to Brown for 21 yards, extending the drive.
All of these plays came in big moments that could’ve swayed the game away from Washington but when you have a poised quarterback at the helm and an elite offense that knows how to make plays it results in success. Against a juggernaut like Detroit, Washington’s offense must be prepared to go score-for-score all game.
Sonic and Knuckles
No, not the hedgehog and echidna from the video games. The duo that owns that name is running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. They’ve combined for 2,187 rushing yards, 858 receiving yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 4 receiving touchdowns, only two fumble losses, and an all-purpose yards of 3,045 total yards. What an amazing year these two have, and arguably the pass one-two punch the NFL has to show. Montgomery had been on IR due to an MCL injury he sustained against the Buffalo Bills back on Dec.15 but is expected to return for this key Divisional matchup.
The Commanders’ defense has to account for both backs whether that’s them running the ball or catching out the backfield. The discipline of the defensive line will be key to closing off those gaps and sealing the edges, preventing them from jumping outside to reach the second and third lines.
Marshon Lattimore
All eyes will be on #23, his performance will be very key for the success of Washington’s secondary. Lattimore will need to have a bounce-back performance after Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans hauled in 7 receptions for 92 yards and a score. Most of the receptions were with Lattimore covering Evans in man coverage. Lattimore looks to still be getting his legs under him after returning from a hamstring injury he aggravated against the Eagles last month, and he needs to trust his body more to play physically and make those big plays. Lattimore will likely line up against Lions star Amon-Ra St. Brown and will be called upon to slow down the speedy-agile receiver. I believe Lattimore will step up to the challenge, his coaches believe in him hence Washington trading for him in the first place and the fans need to continue to believe in the former Pro-Ball Cornerback.
History vs. Detroit
This matchup will be the 48th meeting between the two franchises, with Washington leading all-time 31-16. But more importantly, they’ve met three times in the playoffs. The Commanders have won all three playoff matchups against the Lions.
1. 1982 Wild Card: WSH 31 – DET 7
2. 1991 NFC Conference Championship: WSH 41 – DET 10
3. 1999 Wild Card: WSH 27 – DET 13
Final Verdict
Three things will decide this game, the turnover battle, big plays, and winning the line of scrimmage. Whichever team hits in those areas will ultimately come out with the win. Washington will have to be prepared for the hostile environment and stick to their game plan.
