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Commanders create 5 turnovers to beat Lions
Breaking down all 5 turnovers created by the Commanders defense in the playoff win over the Lions
For the Commanders to win this game, it was always going to require a shootout with the defense getting a few turnovers to give the offense an extra possession or two.
As it turns out, the Commanders defense managed five total turnovers. Those five turnovers were all hugely impactful and played just as big an impact in the game as Jayden Daniels. So I thought I would break down each turnover and highlight the key players involved.
Dorance Armstrong sack/fumble
The first turnover of the game came from defensive end Dorance Armstrong. On third and one in the red zone, the Lions looked set to score on consecutive drives, but Armstrong had other ideas. The Lions motion out to an empty set and run two slot fades on either side of the field. The outside receivers both run quick hitches to occupy the outside corners while the slot receivers run fades. To the right of the formation, the Lions have star slot receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown on a choice route. It’s a well designed play because the empty formation spreads the defense out and the slot fades take all the coverage away from the middle of the field. The Lions are hoping to isolate linebacker Bobby Wagner on St.Brown’s choice route, which is a huge mismatch.
The Lions get the exact look they want, but St.Brown slips as he goes to cut outside on his choice route. That slip causes him to stumble out of his break and make him no longer an option for quarterback Jared Goff. As a result, Goff is forced to hold onto the ball and look for another target, which is all the Commanders pass rush needs. From the end zone angle, you can see the Commanders rush five, with defensive end Dorance Armstrong shifting inside to work against the left guard while linebacker Frankie Luvu works on the edge against the left tackle. With five defenders rushing against an empty formation, the Lions offensive line essentially has five one-on-one matchups without any help.
Armstrong comes off the snap low, while the guard pops up fairly high. Armstrong uses that to his advantage as he swipes with both hands to clear the guard’s hands. The guard tries to hook him, but Armstrong stays low and that enables him to turn the corner and break free of that hook as he closes quickly on Goff. Armstrong does a great job attacking the ball, knocking it loose from Goff. Full credit to Luvu on the edge too. He saw Armstrong winning his rush inside and peeled off to work back inside and follow up the rush. Once Armstrong knocked the ball out, Luvu was in the perfect spot to immediately fall on the ball and complete the turnover.
It was a critical turnover because the Lions were knocking on the door of scoring more points. At that point in the game, the Lions were up 7-3. A touchdown there would have put them up 14-3 early with all the momentum going their way. That would have been a very tough position to come back from.
Quan Martin pick-6
Washington Post (paywall)
Commanders lose key member of offensive line for rest of the playoffs
Sam Cosmi was injured in Saturday’s victory over the Lions; Trent Scott filled in at guard.
The Washington Commanders will be without their starting right guard in the NFC championship game. Sam Cosmi suffered a torn ACL in his right knee Saturday night and will miss the rest of the postseason, Coach Dan Quinn said Sunday.
Cosmi was injured during Brian Robinson Jr.’s two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter of Washington’s divisional-round win at the Detroit Lions. His right leg was bent back while blocking, leaving him grimacing. He limped off the field with the assistance of team athletic trainers and was later ruled out of the game. He returned to the bench with crutches and a large brace on his knee.
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders quiet doubters, lock up spot in NFC Championship: ‘It’s a feeling like no other’
Actor Jeffrey Wright stood close behind. Like Harris, the Emmy and Tony award-winning performer grew up a fan of the NFL franchise during a time when Super Bowl appearances occurred more often than presidential elections.
“But it’s happening because of him,” Wright interjected, pointing at Harris. “It happened because (Josh) made it possible.”
“It” was Washington upsetting the heavily favored Detroit Lions 45-31 at Ford Field on Saturday night. The win thrust the Commanders into the NFC Championship Game next week for the first time in 33 years. They will face the winner of Sunday’s contest at Lincoln Financial Field between the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
The franchise that provided tremendous highs to Harris, Wright and countless others is one win away from giving generations raised without hope a shot at glory.
“I’m so happy for the DMV,” said Harris, a second-year owner in Washington. “I can’t imagine what’s going on there. Let’s go. One game from the Super Bowl!”
Nobody doubts the Commanders anymore. If a 12-5 regular-season record and last week’s wild-card road win over the Buccaneers didn’t convince the remaining skeptics, hammering the NFC’s top seed did the trick.
Commanders.com
Five takeaways from Washington’s stunning Divisional win over Detroit
The offense rediscovered the run game.
The run game has been noticeably absent for the Commanders since their Week 13 win over the Tennessee Titans. Sure, they put up at least 100 yards in six of their last seven wins, but anyone watching could see that much of their ground production came from either Daniels or Marcus Mariota’s scramble yards rather than through traditional means.
It wasn’t always pretty, but Saturday’s win over the Lions was a return to normalcy for the Commanders. They rushed for 182 yards — their most since Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans — on 42 carries. The most impressive part was that they did it against a top-five defense against the run that had only allowed two teams to rush for 100 yards since Week 9.
Daniels played his part on the ground by carrying the ball 16 times — tying his season-high — for 51 yards. However, it was Brian Robinson Jr. who paced the team with 77 yards on 15 attempts, both of which were the most he’s had in about a month. He scored two of the team’s touchdowns but also found running lanes that had eluded him in earlier games. His first carry was a 14-yard run that moved the ball to the Lions’ 29-yard line and later set up a field goal from Zane Gonzalez.
Austin Ekeler also got in on the action with 47 yards on six carries, although most came on one run in the fourth quarter. Ekeler opened a drive with a 35-yard pickup that moved the ball from Washington’s 34-yard line to Detroit’s 31. That set the tone for the series that ended with another rushing touchdown — this time by Jeremy McNichols.
Washington’s ground game accounted for almost 40% of the offense’s 481 yards on the night — the second-best postseason outing in franchise history.
Sports Illustrated
Two Interceptions, One Historic Performance: Commanders Rookie Shines
Commanders rookie Mike Sainristil delivered a standout performance with two interceptions, helping secure a spot in the NFC Championship.
Sainristil’s performance was not just a showcase of individual talent but a reflection of the strong, well-coached defense that has contributed to the Commanders’ success this season. Throughout the year, the rookie cornerback has made key plays that demonstrate his readiness for the spotlight, earning praise from coaches and teammates alike.
Sainristil’s evolution over the season has positioned him as a key player on a defense that has been among the league’s most formidable. As the Commanders march deeper into the playoffs, Sainristil’s name is one to watch.
His stellar playoff debut serves as a testament to Washington’s revamped defense. With a young, dynamic player like Sainristil stepping up in critical moments, the Commanders are poised to continue stunning the NFL.
Washington Post (paywall)
For Washington fans, the NFL is a party again, not group therapy
This time, the dejected fans filing out of the stadium had been rooting for the Commanders’ opponent.
No more gloom. The old reputation doesn’t fit anymore. Leave the tears and disgust for Detroit, a city that bonds over automobiles, gyros and football melancholy. Fans in Washington have a new identity. Their team, following a decades-long bad patch, is now a feel-good story, the most dangerous giant slayer of the NFL playoffs. After the Commanders shocked the top-seeded Detroit Lions on Saturday night, 45-31, the NFC city crying “woe is me” is, at last, not Washington.
“It’s a great feeling, honestly,” running back Brian Robinson Jr. said. “After everything we went through, all the ups and downs, we’re blessed to be here.”
[I]nstead of carrying the region’s burdens and playing as if they were haunted by the ghost of 1991, the Commanders played loose and, better yet, played like themselves. They went for it on fourth down and succeeded with trickery. They performed with a confidence and freedom that eluded Detroit. How can any team play loose when its fan base lives on the edge of emotional distress? Long-suffering Lions fans have never watched their team advance to the Super Bowl; Detroit is the last NFC team to hold that distinction. And with more than seven minutes to play and the Commanders in control, hundreds of them didn’t want to stick around to watch yet another heartbreak.
Upcoming opponent
Philly Voice
Handing out 10 awards from the Eagles-Rams playoff game
4) The ‘How Hurt(s) Is He?’ Award: Jalen Hurts
Hurts started the game off with a 44-yard TD run. He broke a tackle in the open field, and, goodbye.
He finished with 7 carries for 70 yards.
As a passer, Hurts completed 15 of 20 for 128 yards (6.4 YPA), 0 TDs, and 0 INTs. He was also sacked 7 times for a loss of 63 yards, so the Eagles gained just 65 net passing yards on the night. That stinks. #Analysis.
As usual, Hurts didn’t turn the ball over, however, he also didn’t connect on big plays down the field, and many of the sacks that he took were because he held onto the ball too long. Does that summary of his performance sound familiar?
Hurts also made a trip to the blue medical tent for a while after he was tackled awkwardly:
Hurts said after the game that he expects to play next Sunday, but how hurt is he? Will he be the same effective runner who is able to occupy a defender on zone reads, or will Washington’s defense safely be able to ignore his running ability and focus heavily on Barkley?
5) The ‘How Hurt Is He, Part II’ Award: Quinyon Mitchell
Mitchell left with a shoulder injury, and did not return. In the locker room after the game, Mitchell did not have his shoulder wrapped or his arm in a sling or anything like that. He told the Inquirer’s Olivia Reiner that he’s “going to be good.”
The Eagles will need him in the NFC Championship Game and if they advance, the Super Bowl.
6) The ‘Milk Carton’ Award : A.J. Brown
Brown has just 3 catches on 10 targets for 24 yards so far in the playoffs. Part of that is because the passing game overall is struggling, but Brown also had a chance to make a play on a ball that he usually makes, but he juggled it and landed out of bounds (via @Eaglesfans9).
He also had a drop earlier in the game.
If the Eagles are going to win the Super Bowl, they’re going to need Brown to snap out of this little funk that he’s in.
Podcasts & videos
Logan Paulsen Gets Emotional Regaling in Commanders Win Over Lions | Take Command
That happened. That keeps happening. If it happens again, the Commanders are back in the Super Bowl. Discussed that, Jayden Daniels’s brilliance, turnover margin ftw and more from Saturday night in Detroit.https://t.co/018FSS35gY
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 19, 2025
Jayden Daniels and Commanders STUN No.1 Seed Lions! | Lions vs. Commanders NFL Playoff Review | PFF
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ESPN
AFC, NFC championship preview: Schedule, X factors, stats
(6) Washington Commanders at (2) Philadelphia Eagles
- When: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (Fox)
- Opening line: PHI -5.5 (48.5)
Matchup background: These two NFC East rivals split the series this season. The Eagles took the first game in November 26-18 [though Jayden Daniels was affected by a rib injury] and the Commanders won the December battle 36-33, though Jalen Hurts exited due to a concussion in the first quarter. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels fared well against the Eagles in 2024; he combined for 449 passing yards, a 78.2 QBR, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Philadelphia and Washington last met during the playoffs in 1990 — Washington won 20-6. — ESPN
Stat to know: Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has had his way against Washington in his career, averaging just over 137 scrimmage yards per game. The only player to average more scrimmage yards against a single opponent in NFL history is Jim Brown against the Eagles (minimum of 10 games, including playoffs). — ESPN Research
Early X factor: Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter. His ability to create interior havoc is critical for the defense. Including the playoffs, he has 6.5 sacks, 28 pressures and 14 tackles for loss this season. Carter will need to disrupt the pocket and make impact plays to limit Daniels and the Washington offense. — Bowen
What we learned about the Eagles in the divisional round: This Philadelphia defense has a flair for the big moment. The snowy conditions at Lincoln Financial Field made it difficult on both offenses in the second half, and that’s when Vic Fangio’s group pounced. First, it was Carter stripping running back Kyren Williams for a turnover that set up a field goal, and then linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. followed suit with a strip-sack that set up three more points. Entering next Sunday’s NFC Championship Game against the Commanders, there will be questions about quarterback Jalen Hurts’ health (he appeared to injure his left leg in the second half) and whether the passing attack is up to the test.
What we learned about the Commanders in the divisional round: Though Daniels has proved to be special, Washington’s fortunes improve when its defense and run game have days like they did against Detroit. The Commanders forced only 17 turnovers in the regular season but now have six in the postseason, including five against the Lions. Those turnovers have led to three touchdowns.
Plus, if the Commanders can get repeat production next week from running backs Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, they’ll be tough to beat. The two backs combined for 132 yards — only 15 shy of their previous three games combined. — John Keim
Why the Eagles will win: They have a talent advantage at almost every position outside of quarterback, though with Nakobe Dean out, that position might flip to Washington.
Plus, Daniels burned the Lions in part because Detroit’s injuries forced it to take such a blitz-heavy approach. The slew of stars on the Eagles defense — from Carter to Zack Baun to Darius Slay Jr. to Quinyon Mitchell — is one reason Philadelphia can afford not to blitz often (18% rate entering the divisional round, fourth lowest), which should help in containing Daniels. — Walder
Why the Commanders will win: Daniels is scorching hot, and coach Dan Quinn is acting optimally on fourth down. Let’s start with the rookie quarterback, who posted a 91.8 QBR to shock Detroit and send the Commanders into the NFC Championship Game. Daniels showed repeatedly he cannot be blitzed, with a 90.1 QBR during the regular season against the blitz (second best), but the Lions tried anyway and were burned badly by that choice. But forget just facing the blitz: Daniels is playing incredibly. Since the Commanders’ current seven-game winning streak began in Week 13, Daniels has an 82.3 QBR that ranks second only to Josh Allen (entering Sunday) in that span.
And part of what has made Daniels’ offensive efficiency matter even more is that Quinn demonstrated he’s willing to go for it on fourth down, keeping the ball in his star quarterback’s hands. The Commanders faced four fourth downs Saturday where the ESPN Analytics model recommended going for it (there was a fifth that was neutral), and Quinn opted to go for it all four times. Those decisions — not the outcomes, the decisions — added a cumulative 7.8% of win probability to Washington’s chances.