LANDOVER, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 06: Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders rushes against the Cleveland Browns at Northwest Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
This game saw the upstart Commanders knock off the number one seed Lions on the road by 14 points.
Jayden Leads The Way
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – APRIL 25: Jayden Daniels poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected second overall by the Washington Commanders during the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza on April 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels was phenomenal throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns and also running for 51 yards. He had complete command of the offense and was clearly the best player on the field.
Commanders Rushing Game
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Surprisingly, Brian Robinson Jr. was able to run on Detroit’s tough run defense, as he had 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Commanders Receivers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – NOVEMBER 21: Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Football Team catches a pass for a first down over the defense of Donte Jackson #26 of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Terry McLaurin had 87 yards and a touchdown, and Dyami Brown led the Commanders in receiving with six receptions for 98 yards.
The Veteran Is Clutch
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 14: Zach Ertz #86 of the Washington Commanders runs with the ball during an NFL Football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Zach Ertz was also key in that he not only caught a touchdown but also recovered an onside kickoff, which helped seal the game for the Commanders.
Goff Choked
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 30: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws the ball during an NFL game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Ford Field on October 30, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
This game was an unmitigated disaster for the Lions, who could never get their offense rolling. Quarterback Jared Goff threw for 313 yards and a touchdown but also had three interceptions that came at the worst times.
Gibbs Is Incredible
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Jahmyr Gibbs was unstoppable, rushing 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. He also had six receptions for 70 yards. David Montgomery could never get rolling after returning from his knee injury.
Lions Receivers
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 11: Jameson Williams #9 of the Detroit Lions celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
WR Jameson Williams had one rush for 61 yards and a touchdown, but he also threw an INT on a trick play. Amon-Ra St. Brown had 137 yards receiving to lead the Lions.
Lions Terrible Defense
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 05: A Boise State Broncos cheerleader’s “DEFENSE” sign lies on the field before the team’s game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Broncos defeated the Rebels 38-13. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Lions struggled on defense and could not stop the Commanders on numerous fourth downs. That and the ill-timed trick plays did them in and cost them the victory.
