Bob Wojnowski: Favored Lions would be wise not to discount Commanders, dazzling Daniels

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — At first glance, it looks favorable. The opponent in the Detroit Lions’ playoff opener is a postseason novice with a rookie quarterback, a franchise just now emerging from a two-decade identity crisis.

At second glance, you see the sizzling highlights of Jayden Daniels, Washington’s precocious and elusive quarterback, and you’re allowed a nervous gulp.

The Washington Commanders weren’t supposed to be here, just as the Lions weren’t supposed to be here two years ago. They’re riding a wave of frenetic fearlessness, led by Daniels, the latest dual-threat menace to storm the NFL, who just guided them to a 23-20 wild-card victory over Tampa Bay.

The Lions and their fans theoretically should embrace the idea of facing a rookie in raucous Ford Field on Saturday night. Only 11 first-year quarterbacks in NFL history have won a playoff game. Only three rookies have won two.

Ah, as always, be careful what you wish for. The Lions didn’t dive into a magical healing spa during the bye week, although running back David Montgomery is expected back. Aaron Glenn’s defense is still tied with duct tape, and likely still reliant on bold and bountiful blitzing. They executed superbly in blasting the Vikings, 31-9, two weeks ago to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

But the Lions knew exactly what they were facing in division rival Minnesota. Of all the opponents they could’ve drawn for this round, No. 6 seed Washington (13-5) is the least familiar and least accomplished. No, the Lions don’t have to endure another Matthew Stafford circus with the Rams. But this could be just as perilous against an 8 1/2-point underdog with a quarterback who doesn’t take no, or slow, for an answer.

“He’s dangerous. He poses a major threat,” Campbell said Monday. “He does not play the position like a rookie quarterback. He’s composed, he understands how to progress, he sees the field well, he buys time with his legs, he’s a dangerous runner, he’s smart. You can tell he understands how to run that offense, what they’re asking him to do, and then he’s got weapons around him.”

A few weapons, sure. But the Commanders’ second-leading receiver is veteran tight end Zach Ertz, who had a brief practice-squad stint with the Lions late last season. Their leading passer? Daniels or course, who has thrown for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns. Their leading rusher? Daniels of course, with 891 yards, second-most for a quarterback behind Lamar Jackson.

Comeback kids

They’re being called the Cardiac Commanders, winning five games with fourth-quarter comebacks, and six straight overall. That includes their victory at Tampa on Sunday, with Daniels directing a final drive that covered 51 yards and killed the final 4:41. Kicker Zane Gonzalez caromed a 37-yard field goal off the right upright to win it, stirring the notion of something special happening.

"I felt like I was in a Bounty commercial where the cup spills and you’re like, 'nooooo,'" Washington coach Dan Quinn told the media. "As it went through, I just paused and probably skipped a beat.”

It feels like the Commanders skipped a step in their rebuild under new ownership, with a less controversial name. They were 4-13 last year. Their last playoff appearance was after the 2020 season. Their last playoff victory was after 2005, when Daniels was 5. Now he’s a Heisman Trophy winner, the No. 2 overall pick out of LSU and a leader poised beyond his years.

If the Lions aren’t careful, Washington could swipe their storybook and call it their own. Pressure on the Commanders is minuscule compared to the weight the Lions carry, without complaint. It’s been Super Bowl-or-bust all season, so it’s not like it can mount much higher.

“No, we’ve had attention for four years here,” Campbell said. “I mean, there’s been more stuff — we’ve been so good, we’ve been so bad, we’re a laughingstock, now we’re great, and it’s just been this roller coaster of ups and downs. … So this is nothing new. We’re in the middle of the circus, man, and it’s about time to perform, that’s the world we’re in.”

Showing composure

More and more of the world is tuning in again. The atmosphere under the Ford Field big top will be predictably electric. It won’t bother Jared Goff or Amon-Ra St. Brown, or Jahmyr Gibbs and Montgomery, who will be asked to exploit a shaky Washington defense ranked 30th against the run.

Just like the Lions, the Commanders want to possess the ball and control the clock. They like to go for it on fourth down. Mostly they like to put the ball in Daniels’ hands, and his passing (69%) is as deft as his running. He was 3 for 3 for 44 yards on the final drive against the Bucs, and converted a clutch third-and-2 with a 4-yard dash.

He exudes unflinching calmness, and here’s something for Glenn to consider: Daniels posted the third-best passer rating in the league when blitzed.

"If he had his heart rate monitor on, and mine, they would not be the same in the game," Quinn said. "He stays pretty consistently good, and sometimes, I'm like the duck … if you just saw the feet going under the water, it's good. But he really is ... exceptional."

Mostly, Daniels is the duck, feet churning underneath, but all cool up top. I’d say Daniels will get the vast, vast majority of attention in Lions practice this week. He has a capable receiver in Terry McLaurin but not many other impactful pieces.

That sounds like an insult, similar to what the Lions used to hear, but it’s an acknowledgment the Commanders are ahead of schedule. It’s Glenn’s job to knock them off schedule, and it’s a huge boost that linebacker Alex Anzalone returned from injury last week and dominated the Vikings.

Historically, the Lions have struggled against running quarterbacks, although they’ve improved. Only Buffalo’s Josh Allen carved them up this season, running for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

The truth is that running quarterbacks historically carve up a lot of teams. It’s why the Bills, Ravens and Eagles (Jalen Hurts) are playoff regulars.

“It’s like, somebody tells you, ‘We don’t handle running quarterbacks very well,’” Campbell said. “Well, tell me the team that does. … We know we’ve got our hands full, but we’re going to have a plan in place, AG’s going to have a hell of a plan, our guys are going to execute it, and you know what, he may pop a run or two. That’s just the nature of the game and the way some of these guys are able to maneuver, but that doesn’t mean you win the game.”

You can’t choose your opponent; you can choose your own plan. This will be a completely different test for the Lions, yes. But they should like their choices, and their chances.

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