While the Lions are favored by 7.5 points, Daniels’ extraordinary rookie season presents a major threat.

Daniels poses specific challenges for the Lions’ defense, which relies heavily on man coverage (44.9%, the highest in the NFL). Against man coverage, Daniels has been outstanding, completing 75 of 134 passes for 987 yards, nine touchdowns, and only one interception. The Lions also like to blitz, but Daniels has been even more effective against teams that bring five or more pass-rushers. He has thrown for over 1,000 yards, nine touchdowns, and just one interception against such pressure, posting an impressive passer rating of 134.6.

Additionally, the Lions have struggled with mobile quarterbacks. They’ve allowed 449 rushing yards, 167 yards after contact, and six touchdowns to quarterbacks on designed runs or scrambles, ranking among the worst in the league in these categories. Campbell acknowledged that defending against running quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen is a tough task for any team, and Daniels will add to that difficulty.

The Commanders might look to exploit another area where the Lions’ defense is vulnerable: no-huddle and empty sets. Daniels leads the NFL in both categories, with 415 no-huddle dropbacks and 137 empty set dropbacks. The Lions, however, have been solid in these situations, allowing a low opponent passer rating against both no-huddle and empty formations. Despite that, the Commanders’ quick tempo and creative play-calling may present a unique challenge for Detroit’s defense, especially with their ability to catch defenses off guard.

Another factor that could keep the game close is Washington’s success on fourth down. The Commanders have the NFL’s best conversion rate, converting 87.0% of their fourth downs (20 of 23). This gives them confidence to take more risks, knowing they have a high chance of converting on crucial downs.

Daniels, for his part, remains unphased by the pressure of the postseason. He approaches the game with the same calm confidence that has defined his rookie year. While many may view the game as a huge challenge, Daniels keeps his focus on the process and his routine, ensuring that he and his team are prepared for whatever comes their way.

In conclusion, while the Lions have been dominant, Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have several tools that could make this game much closer than expected. From his efficiency against man coverage and blitzes to his ability to exploit the Lions’ defensive weaknesses, Daniels will be a key factor in making the Commanders a tough opponent for Detroit.