Lions Dismantle Commanders, 44-22 (11-9-25)
By: Jaden Golding
Headline Photo Credit: Detroit Free Press
LANDOVER, MD— It was another tough outing for the Washington Commanders yesterday, for a season that seems to be all but over and ready to be put to rest. The Detroit Lions gained a total of 546 yards en route to a 44-22 blowout at Northwest Stadium in a rematch of the NFC Divisional Round from last year.
Lions’ (6-3) quarterback Jared Goff completed 25-of-33 passes for 320 yards, three passing touchdowns for a passer rating of 135.9.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, dubbed “Sonic & Knuckles”, had 30 combined carries for 213 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Gibbs led with 142 yards, 9.5 yards per carry, while also catching three passes for 30 yards and a receiving touchdown. Montgomery had 71 total yards for an average of 4.7 yards per carry.
Jameson Williams caused issues for the Washington (3-7) secondary, finishing with six receptions, 119 yards, and one touchdown.
The Lions had possession of the ball for 32:36, during which they converted 5 of 10 third downs and 2 of 2 fourth downs.
Joe Whitt Jr. and His Defense Disappoint
The Commanders’ defense had another forgettable performance yesterday, despite Joe Whitt Jr. moving to the sidelines to help coach and direct his defense; it proved to be to no avail, as the Commanders could not stop the Lions’ offense, which scored on eight of its nine offensive possessions. The team could not stop the run nor the pass; there was no pressure on Goff as he was not sacked once. Per John Keim, Washington allowed 6.8 yards per carry yesterday, which tied for the fifth most allowed in a game since 2016. Today, in Dan Quinn’s presser, he announced ahead of the overseas week 11 matchup against the Miami Dolphins that he’ll be taking over the defensive playcalling responsibility in this week’s contest.
The Offense Did Its Job
Marcus Mariota filled in for Jayden Daniels for the fifth time this season. Mariota went 16-of-22 for 213 passing yards, tossing two touchdowns while having five carries for 22 yards. Mariota worked well with what he had, making nice throws to Treylon Burks, Zach Ertz, and a 41-yard deep shot down the field to Jaylin Lane in the first half. Deebo Samuel had four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown.
The running game was non-existent except for a couple of carries by Jeremy McNichols and a touchdown run by Chris Rodriguez in the second quarter. The lanes aren’t opening up enough for backers to succeed. However, the team was able to sustain trips down the field and move the ball.
Washington completed all three of its fourth-down attempts, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Samuel in the corner of the endzone in the third quarter, on a nice drawn-up play by Kliff Kingsbury.
Up Next:
Washington travels to Madrid for an overseas showdown with the Miami Dolphins at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium next Sunday, with kickoff at 9:30 U.S. time on NFL Network.
The Lions head to Philadelphia Sunday night.
