Detroit Lions fans received unexpected news on Sunday when the Washington Commanders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road, securing their spot at Ford Field for Saturday night’s Divisional Playoff game at 8 p.m. ET.
The sixth-seeded Commanders disrupted Lions coach Dan Campbell’s expectation of facing the Vikings again, forcing Detroit to prepare for an opponent few had anticipated this weekend.
On Monday, former Lions quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky issued a cautionary message to Detroit fans regarding the upcoming matchup.
Orlovsky praised Washington as an emerging destination for NFL players on his X account while highlighting the skills of Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels.
“Everyone wants to play in Washington now,” Orlovsky stated. “And Detroit will face a tough challenge Saturday night.”
The former UConn standout emphasized that Daniels’ success is remarkable given the lack of elite talent surrounding him compared to other NFL quarterbacks.
“He’s succeeding with a below-average offensive line and Terry McLaurin,” Orlovsky noted. “Imagine if Jayden Daniels had the same weapons other quarterbacks in the conference enjoy.”
“This is about a young man maximizing his opportunity, showcasing all the attributes needed to excel at this position. Now we’re left asking, ‘Can Washington upset the Detroit Lions in Detroit?'”
