What We Learned from Washington’s 45-31 win

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DETROIT —

1. Daniels powers Commanders to shootout win over top-seeded Detroit. The moment was never too big for sterling rookie signal-caller Jayden Danielswho diced up an injury-ravaged Lions defense like few have this season. From the opening drive, Daniels’ poise was steady despite a deafening Detroit crowd. After the first possession ended in a failed fourth-down attempt, Daniels zoomed the Commanders up and down the field, never punting in the first half while Washington put up 31 points. Daniels made quick, easy reads, and, when they were there, dropped dimes downfield for explosive plays. The rookie’s 271 combined rushing and passing yards were the most in a first half of a playoff game since Tom Brady had 282 in a Super Bowl LII loss to the Eagles. Daniels didn’t let this one slip away. Washington punted to open the third quarter, but after Detroit cut the lead to three, the rookie quarterback calmly guided a 15-play, 71-yard TD drive, including a massive fourth-and-2 conversion with his legs. Each time Detroit threatened to come back, Daniels answered. Unlike his counterpart, Daniels made no big mistakes and proved his mettle in the heat of the postseason. He’s a rookie in name only.
2. Goff picks a bad day to have a bad day. Jared Goff turned the ball over four times in the first half, including a pick-six, a fumble in scoring range and another interception in the end zone to close the first half. A potential 13-point swing told the tale of a game that the Lions dug a hole they couldn’t get out of. Jameson Williams added another interception on a trick play and Goff added a fourth INT to close the contest. Detroit matched some of the Commanders’ explosives and Jahmyr Gibbs (14 carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns) dominated for long stretches. However, the miscues cost Detroit dearly. Following last season’s second-half collapse in the NFC Championship Game, everything appeared set up for the Lions. Dan Campbell’s club won 15 games, boasted the top offense in the league, captured the No. 1 seed, and the sole conference bye. The Lions faced a mostly untested No. 6 seed in the Divisional Round before potentially hosting the NFC Championship Game for the right to go to their first Super Bowl. Instead of a coronation, the season turned to dust. For a Super Bowl-or-bust squad, the way Saturday’s game unfolded, with uncharacteristic mistake after mistake, was a brutal pill to swallow for the Honolulu Blue fans at Ford Field.
3. Quinn’s defense turns the tide. Dan Quinn’s defense stood tall in the face of a multifaceted offense and never blinked. From the opening snap, the Commanders D battled, forcing a quick three-and-out. Then came the turnover deluge. Washington’s front got Goff off his spot enough to make the QB uncomfortable. The tide-turning play came on the Lions’ third drive of the contest. With Detroit holding a 7-3 lead and threatening to put more points on the board, Dorance Armstrong came around the edge and sacked Goff, forcing a fumble recovered by Frankie Luvu. In the second quarter, Quan Martin took a Goff overthrow to the house to stretch Washington’s lead to 10 points, a cushion it would keep much of the second half. Washington’s D might give up chunks of yards, but the turnovers proved game-altering. It’s a testament to Quinn’s steady hand that his players were able to play disciplined ball in a hostile environment and capitalize when opportunities arose.
4. Lions D couldn’t get off the field. Aaron Glenn’s defense finally wilted. An injury-ravaged crew couldn’t get stops against Daniels and the Commanders offense and failed to generate pressure without bringing extra rushers. As he’s done all season, Daniels ripped apart those blitzes with his arm and legs. A belabored secondary suffered yet another injury when Friend Robertson suffered a broken arm early. From there, coverage busts, missed tackles and overmatched backups got torched to the tune of 481 yards. The Lions forced a single punt on the night. It was a particularly brutal effort given how Glenn’s squad performed against Minnesota in Week 18. Detroit heads into the offseason with a host of ifs and buts, starting with how things might have turned out differently if the Lions weren’t devoured by the injury bug on defense.
5. Commanders continue Cinderella run to NFC Championship game. Dan Quinn keeps dancing. The Commanders coach deserves a load of credit for having his players ready for the moment. His defense stood tall and his rookie QB play with a poise beyond his years. Washington came in a massive underdog, with many expecting them to bow out to the high-powered Lions. Instead, the Commanders took it to Detroit. The dog with nothing to lose ate. Quinn’s first fourth-down decision didn’t work, but he never shied away. The next three fourth downs were converted. Against Detroit, Quinn knew he couldn’t settle for field goals. His club didn’t. Washington scored touchdown after touchdown and outplayed the No. 1 seed. The plucky underdog with the unflappable young star quarterback is on to the NFC Championship Game. For a team that was in disarray two years ago, the new ownership, new coach and new quarterback have the future looking endlessly bright.

Next Gen Stats Insight for Commanders-Lions (via NFL Pro): Jayden Daniels completed 12 of 16 attempts against the blitz for 191 yards and a touchdown, the second-most passing yards against the blitz by a rookie in a game since 2016 (in the regular season or postseason).

NFL Research: The Commanders, who had gone 32 straight seasons without appearing in a Conference Championship Game, snapped that streak Saturday. The last time they went to the NFC Championship Game in the 1991 season, they defeated the Detroit Lions before going on to win Super Bowl XXVI versus the Buffalo Bills.