DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 20: Wilson brand footballs with the NFL logo are pictured during the game between the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 20, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
There were two Divisional Round games this past weekend in the NFC. The Commanders shocked the Lions, and the Eagles came away with a victory with a big stop in the final minute against the Rams. Here are the biggest takeaways and a recap of each game:
Commanders @ Lions
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
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 24: Head coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions reacts after a 24-6 victory against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/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.
Rams @ Eagles
PHILADELPHIA, PA – SEPTEMBER 16: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during a football game at Lincoln Financial Field on September 16, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
This game changed dramatically in the second half as the snow accumulated on the ground, and the ball was super slippery.
Jalen Hurts The Rams With His Legs
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles throws the ball during the second half in the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on September 19, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Jalen Hurts threw for only 128 yards but did have a 44-yard TD in the first quarter to set the tone of the Eagles ground attack.
Barkley Is An All-Timer
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 12: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs out of the tunnel prior to an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Saquon Barkley had one of the greatest playoff performances of all time, rushing for 205 yards and 2 TDs.
Eagles Leading Receiver
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 22: Dallas Goedert #88 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys in the game at Lincoln Financial Field on December 22, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Dallas Goedert led all Eagles receivers with 56 yards.
Stafford Is A True Competitor
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 13: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams looks to pass during the first half of Super Bowl LVI against the Cincinnati Bengals at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Matthew Stafford threw for 324 yards and 2 TDs in the loss.
Kyren Had A Big Day But A Costly Mistake
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 25: Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during the first half of the game against the Denver Broncos at SoFi Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Kyren William had 106 yards but also had a costly fumble, which turned the tide of the game.
Puka Is The Number One
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – SEPTEMBER 10: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams celebrates a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on September 10, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Puka Nacua led all Rams receivers with 97 yards
Both Defense Made Big Plays
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 Eagles defense had five sacks, and Jalen Carter was impossible to stop as the Rams tried to win the game at the end.
Jared Verse cemented Defensive Rookie of the Year honors as he had 2 of the Rams’ 7 sacks.
