The Detroit Lions earned a well-deserved bye this week after clinching the NFC’s top seed. It wasn’t an easy road, as they battled until the final game of the season to secure their spot. Now, their next opponent is clear. The Washington Commanders defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night, setting up a divisional-round matchup with the Lions on Saturday night in Detroit.
The Commanders, seeded sixth in the NFC, finished with a 12-5 record despite their lower playoff ranking. Much of their success is attributed to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who had a phenomenal first season. After already winning one road playoff game, Daniels is aiming for another.
“He’s dangerous; he poses a major threat,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Daniels, as reported by Fox. “He doesn’t play like a rookie quarterback. He’s composed, a dangerous runner, and smart. Plus, he has weapons around him. He’s a difference-maker.”
Campbell recognizes the challenge that dual-threat quarterbacks like Daniels present. Daniels isn’t just effective with his arm but also with his legs, making him difficult to contain.
“I know this—running quarterbacks are tough,” Campbell added. “They’re hard to defend. People say, ‘We don’t handle running quarterbacks well.’ Tell me the team that does. Guys like Lamar [Jackson], Josh Allen, or Daniels, they’re hard to stop. He might pop a run or two—that’s part of the game. But it doesn’t mean you lose because of it.”
Initially, the Lions anticipated facing a familiar opponent from the regular season during Wild Card weekend. However, with the Commanders’ win, Detroit now faces a new challenge, one they’re excited to tackle.
“I think there’s a level of excitement,” Campbell shared. “When you play a team twice, you know each other well. But when it’s a fresh opponent, that’s exciting too because neither side fully knows the other. It’s a clean slate.”
This game won’t be easy for the Lions. Campbell understands the high stakes of playoff football and is emphasizing preparation.
“I showed the team snapshots from games,” Campbell explained. “I pointed out what could have cost us—a dropped pass, a penalty, a key moment. That’s what the playoffs come down to—making that one extra play. If you do your job in the heat of the moment, you increase your chances. If you don’t, the other team will take advantage.”
Facing Jayden Daniels and the Commanders will be a tough test for the Lions, but it sets the stage for an exhilarating battle with a trip to the NFC Championship on the line.
