The NFC Divisional Round should find itself to be an enthralling game between two teams that have been some of the best offenses in the NFL all season. The Washington Commanders roll into Detroit, Michigan for a date with the number one seeded Detroit Lions, who despite constant injuries all season managed to secure the first-round bye after dismantling the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 in the last game of the regular season. Detroit has quickly turned into “America’s team” after Dan Campbell became the head coach and went viral for his training camp videos, expressing how dedicated he is to his football team. This dedication has bled into a new found culture in Detroit that has turned the Lions into a powerhouse of a franchise that seems to do whatever they want on offense. The Commanders have seemed to have success in their own culture shift, starting with the success that rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has had throughout his debut season in the NFL. Daniels went into Tampa Bay a three-point underdog and made history after beating the Buccaneers 23-20 off a last second “doink” field goal. Daniels joined Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, and Mark Sanchez as the only rookie quarterbacks to start and win a road playoff game in NFL history. The task now at hand for Daniels and the Commanders will be the biggest they have faced all season as the Lions have been nothing but a buzz saw for any defense that has squared up with them.
Commanders Head Coach Dan Quinn is not new to the Divisional Round of the Playoffs as well as making deep runs but in his first season as Washington’s leader, Quinn has only exceeded expectations, much like his young quarterback. Quinn brought in veteran play caller and former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, Kliff Kingsbury, who has immediately unlocked the potential of Daniels in their first season together in the nation’s capital. Daniels threw for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions in his first regular season which grazed how experienced this former Heisman winner is after going 24/35 for 268 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay last weekend. Daniels’ five seasons of college football exemplified itself in Florida as Daniels seemed calm and collected the whole game, running the offense nearly perfect, further solidifying his case for being the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels came into the NFL with a known arm talent but the fact that Daniels’ favorite target is veteran Terry McLaurin is no surprise. McLaurin has now had five-straight regular seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards after hauling in 82 receptions for 1,096 yards and 13 touchdowns. McLaurin was a difference maker in their win over Tampa Bay, seven receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, in an effort he will need to replicate this Saturday if the Commanders are going to continue to make history. Luckily for Commanders fans, Detroit’s weakness is their secondary, and if anyone could exploit weak corner and safety play, it’s Jayden Daniels. Will the Commanders come in and upset the perennial wagon that has become the Detroit Lions in their own building? Who knows, but if anyone can give them a run for their money it is Jayden Daniels and this budding Commanders squad.
That Kid is special ⭐️@JayD__5 | @Commanders pic.twitter.com/5ipJK4KO7V
— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025
While the Commanders will be leaning on their rookie quarterback on Saturday, the Lions will be leaning on their entire offense, as they have all season, in order to make back-to-back NFC Championships. Quarterback Jared Goff has been one of the most steady signal callers all season, finishing the regular season with a 72.4% completion rate while throwing 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Lions have had almost three weeks to prepare for one of the most annoying teams in the NFL, in terms of their ability to stay in the game till the end, and will look to shut down a dynamic rookie quarterback while continuing to be the most efficient offense in the league. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be the number one prospect for a head coaching job once the off season starts but Johnson should be licking his lips looking at this Commanders defense that will be in his way on Saturday. The Commanders defense has improved dramatically from last season but with how efficient his quarterback has been in addition to their game changing running back Jahmyr Gibbs, the Lions are poised to make the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Gibbs finished the regular season with a four touchdown performance and showed why he should be considered as a top three running back in the NFL right now.
JG's been dealing pic.twitter.com/65LFdM75Fb
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 9, 2025
While the Lions have only lost two games all season, they have had trouble with the injury bug, losing many key defensive players. A stroke of luck did hit the Lions as their powerful running back David Montgomery is expected to play for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in Week 15 against the Bills that many thought would be season-ending. Expect the Lions to run the ball early, eventually setting up play action for Goff who excels at finding his receivers out of this play style. The Lions are not guaranteed anything, much like any NFL team, but it does seem like Detroit is a team of destiny this season in a campaign that has turned into their best in franchise history in terms of games won. If Goff can play mistake free football and the Lions defense can make life difficult for Daniels, the Lions should have no problem covering the 10 points and find themselves in the NFC Championship for the second-straight season.
