5 Things to Know About Washington Commanders: Detroit Lions’ Divisional Round Opponent
As the Detroit Lions prepare to face the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, both teams are looking to make their mark in what promises to be an exciting postseason matchup. For the Lions, the opportunity to advance to the next round and further their playoff hopes is within reach, but they will need to contend with a formidable opponent in the Commanders. The Washington franchise has shown great promise in the regular season, finishing strong and establishing themselves as one of the more dangerous teams in the NFC.
With Detroit having a clear road ahead to potentially secure a Super Bowl spot, understanding their next opponent—the Washington Commanders—is crucial. Here are five things to know about the Commanders ahead of this pivotal playoff battle. These insights will shed light on Washington’s strengths, weaknesses, and what Detroit needs to do to overcome them and secure a victory.
1. Washington’s Dynamic Defense: A Force to Be Reckoned With
One of the key factors that make the Washington Commanders such a dangerous opponent is their defense. Over the course of the 2024 season, Washington has built a reputation as one of the more formidable defensive units in the league. This defense is spearheaded by a powerful defensive line that can cause disruption for opposing offenses, especially in the passing game.
The Commanders’ defensive line is led by two elite pass rushers in Chase Young and Montez Sweat, both of whom are capable of changing the course of a game. These two edge rushers consistently apply pressure on opposing quarterbacks, making life difficult for quarterbacks trying to establish a rhythm. Young, who has been recovering from an ACL injury, is finally back to full health and has returned to his dominant form, while Sweat continues to develop into one of the most feared defensive ends in the league.
Along with the formidable pass rushers, Washington’s defensive front is solid against the run, as they regularly stymie opposing rushing attacks. This ability to both rush the passer and stuff the run creates a tough challenge for any offense. The Commanders’ defensive line will need to be at its best in this playoff matchup to disrupt Jared Goff and the Lions’ high-powered offense.
But the defense doesn’t stop with the front seven. The secondary has also been a strong point for Washington, with Kendall Fuller at cornerback and Kamren Curl at safety. Fuller’s ability to lock down receivers will be key in limiting Detroit’s aerial attack, particularly against Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has become one of the top receivers in the NFC. Curl is a versatile player who can make plays on the ball, so the Lions will have to be cautious when targeting the Commanders’ defensive backs.
Ultimately, the strength of the Commanders’ defense will be their ability to get after the quarterback and make plays in coverage. For Detroit, it’s crucial to establish a balanced offense and find ways to neutralize Washington’s pass rush. They’ll need quick passes, solid protection from their offensive line, and possibly even some misdirection plays to keep the defense on its toes.
2. The Commanders’ Offense: The Rise of Sam Howell
While the Washington Commanders’ defense is their most established strength, the offense has been more of a question mark. However, over the course of the 2024 season, Sam Howell, the Commanders’ second-year quarterback, has shown significant progress and development. Howell’s performance will be critical to Washington’s chances in this playoff game.
As the starter for the Commanders, Howell has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, particularly with his arm strength and ability to make deep throws. He has an aggressive mentality and isn’t afraid to push the ball downfield, which will be important against a Detroit defense that has had issues at times with explosive plays. Howell’s deep-ball accuracy will be something the Lions’ secondary needs to account for, especially when targeting wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who has been one of the most consistent playmakers for Washington. McLaurin is a dynamic receiver capable of stretching the field, and his connection with Howell could create big plays that could swing momentum in Washington’s favor.
While Howell’s potential is clear, his consistency and decision-making will be something to watch. He has shown growth this season, but he still struggles with turnovers at times. In the postseason, where every mistake can be magnified, Howell’s ability to take care of the football and avoid costly errors will be a determining factor. For the Lions, creating pressure and forcing Howell into mistakes could be the key to limiting the Commanders’ offense.
Another aspect of the Commanders’ offense is the running game. Although Brian Robinson Jr. has been inconsistent at times, he has shown the ability to be a solid back in the NFL. Robinson is a physical runner who can move the chains and wear down a defense, so it will be important for the Lions to shut down the Commanders’ rushing attack. Washington is likely to use the run game as a way to set up play-action passes and control the tempo of the game, so Detroit’s front seven will need to be disciplined and stay strong against the run.
3. Washington’s Special Teams: A Hidden Weapon
One of the often-overlooked aspects of the Washington Commanders’ game plan is their special teams unit, which has quietly been one of the best in the league. With a solid group of return specialists and reliable kickers, Washington has used special teams as a weapon to flip field position and create momentum for the offense. This is an aspect of the game that Detroit will need to pay close attention to, as a special teams miscue could provide the Commanders with a short field and easy scoring opportunities.
Washington’s punter Tress Way is one of the best in the league at pinning opponents deep in their own territory, making it difficult for opposing offenses to start drives in favorable field position. Additionally, returner Dax Milne has been dangerous on kickoff returns, and Detroit’s coverage units will need to ensure they don’t allow any big returns that could shift the momentum of the game.
On the kicking side of things, Joey Slye has been consistent for the Commanders, and his ability to convert clutch field goals could play a major role if the game comes down to a late-game situation. For the Lions, avoiding mistakes in the special teams phase of the game and being efficient on field goals and punting will be crucial in keeping Washington from gaining an advantage in this area.
4. The Commanders’ Coaching Staff: Experience and Discipline
The Washington Commanders are led by Ron Rivera, who has been the head coach since 2020. Rivera is a seasoned coach with a strong defensive background and a reputation for instilling discipline and accountability in his teams. His leadership style has helped Washington remain competitive even when dealing with adversity.
Rivera’s experience in high-pressure situations will be invaluable in a postseason game against a team like the Lions. He has led teams to multiple playoff appearances and understands what it takes to win in the postseason. The Commanders’ coaching staff, which also includes offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, has worked to build a more aggressive and up-tempo offense. Bieniemy, who was formerly with the Kansas City Chiefs, brings a wealth of experience in designing explosive offenses and will look to do the same with Howell and McLaurin in the postseason.
For the Lions, it’s important to remain disciplined and stay within their game plan. Washington’s coaches will likely try to out-scheme Detroit, and the Lions’ coaching staff will need to be prepared to make adjustments on the fly. The Commanders’ experience in big games should not be overlooked, and Detroit will need to match their intensity from a coaching perspective.
5. Washington’s Playoff Push: Motivation and Resilience
While the Commanders may not have been considered one of the top NFC teams heading into the season, they have proven to be a resilient group that knows how to compete when it matters most. Washington secured a spot in the postseason, defying some expectations and showing that they can hang with the league’s elite teams. Their path to the Divisional Round hasn’t been without its challenges, but the team’s mental toughness and never-give-up attitude have been key to their success.
This will be Washington’s opportunity to prove that they belong among the NFC’s best, and they will come into this game with a chip on their shoulder. A win against the Lions would be a massive statement for the Commanders’ franchise and could serve as a springboard for future success. Detroit will need to be aware of Washington’s hunger to make a deep playoff run, and they cannot afford to underestimate their opponent.
Conclusion: A Battle of Strengths and Strategies
The Washington Commanders present a formidable challenge for the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round. While Washington’s defense is their biggest strength, the Lions’ offensive prowess and their balanced attack could give them the upper hand. Additionally, Washington’s development under Sam Howell and their solid special teams unit should not be underestimated.
For Detroit, the key to victory will be neutralizing the Commanders’ defensive line, limiting explosive plays from McLaurin, and creating pressure on Howell to force turnovers. At the same time, Detroit’s offense must remain balanced and efficient to outscore Washington’s potential offensive surge. As the Lions prepare for this high-stakes playoff matchup, understanding Washington’s strengths and weaknesses will be critical to advancing to the NFC Championship.
This matchup is sure to be a thrilling contest between two teams with a lot at stake, and both will be motivated to prove they deserve to move one step closer to the Super Bowl.
