Keeping up with the Detroit Lions' high-scoring offense isn't the only obstacle the Washington Commanders will face when they travel to Ford Field this Saturday. They'll have to get past the Lions' defense, and they know how much of a challenge that will be.
"Lots of man-to-man, aggressive, and I think the third downs with [Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator] Aaron [Glenn] and their crew has been really rock solid and strong," Quinn said. "But those would be some things that stand out to me of things that they're excellent at."
At first glance, it looks like the Lions' defense is in position to be had against the Commanders. Thirteen defensive players are on either Injured Reserve or the Non-Football Illness list. They were 20th in yards allowed per game and gave up the third most passing yards during the regular season. All that points to the Commanders being able to match the Lions point-for-point, right?
The reality is that it's not that simple, and the Commanders aren't viewing it that way. Despite injuries to key players like Aidan Hutchinson, the Lions have given up the seventh fewest points per game and held opponents to 14 points or less seven times. They have 16 interceptions -- tied for the fourth most in the league -- and given up the fewest third-down conversions by 12 attempts. The Commanders' offense will be in for a fight on Saturday, and they know it.
"They get their hands on the ball, obviously, with [Detroit Lions S] Kirby [Joseph] and...[S] Brian Branch," Daniels said. "Obviously, up front what they could do, create pressure, play some man coverage because they trust their guys on the outside. It's going to be a challenge for us."
The Lions have still taken a hit with all the injuries they have endured on defense. Aside from Hutchinson, who broke two bones in his leg in October, defensive tackles Marcus Davenport and Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo and John Cominsky are all on IR. Linebacker Derrick Barnes and Malcolm Rodriguez are also on that list as well as Carlton Davis, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Khalil Dorsey.
And yet, the Lions have figured out a way around that lack of depth. Granted, they've struggled against the league's best offenses, allowing an average of 28.2 points against the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers, all of which had top 10 units in the regular season, but they have consistently come through with key stops when the team needed them.
Perhaps the best example of that came in the season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, who could have taken the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a win. They held the Vikings to 3-of-13 on third down and, more importantly, out of the end zone on four red zone trips. They were backed up inside the 5-yard line on two of those drives but forced two fourth-down incompletions from Sam Darnold to get a turnover on downs.
Kingsbury said he's impressed with what he's seen, particularly from the Lions' defensive front.
"I know some of the numbers don't look as good as they may want, but when you consider the injuries and things that have happened to them, it's pretty amazing what they've done."
Kingsbury believes the Vikings game was one of their best outings. They brought Darnold down on two sacks, contributing to a 17.4 QBR for the quarterback. The Vikings' 120 rushing yards were above their average for the year (98.4), but a significant chunk of that came from a 58-yard run by Cam Akers. Aside from that run, Akers was held to seven yards on five carries.
"They were dominant," Kingsbury said. "Whoever they put in plays hard. They're disciplined, and they make you earn every inch. That's a credit to Aaron and [Lions head coach] Dan [Campbell] and the culture they have going there."
And there's context needed with the Lions' 30th-ranked passing defense. Opposing offenses have had to rely on their passing game because of how often the Lions score touchdowns. In games where they've given up at least 250 passing yards, the Lions have scored at least 30 points five times, 40 points three times and 50 points once. They're also 7-1 in those games with the one loss coming to the Bills.
Still, with three cornerbacks on IR and depth thin at that position, Glenn will bring pressure to protect his secondary. Darnold was pressured on 28.9% of his dropbacks in the regular season finale, resulting in a bad throw rate of 34.2%, per Pro Football Reference. In the previous game against the 49ers, Brock Purdy was pressured on 23.7% of his dropbacks. He was sacked twice and threw two interceptions.
Kingsbury knows Glenn is going to have positive moments as a play-caller.
"He's gonna get you," Kingsbury said. "You gotta just stay within yourself. I think sometimes, you can become an emotional play-caller. ... You just know with his scheme, there's going to be times where they win, and they get you, and you're going to have some negative plays, but you're gonna have a chance, because they take risks, to hit some big ones as well."
Things have gone well for Washington when they're able to do that. Most of the offense is running through Daniels at this point, and he's proven that he can handle the responsibility. And the Lions have respect for Daniels. Campbell said earlier in the week that Daniels is "dangerous" and "poses a major threat."
"He does not play the position like a rookie quarterback. He's composed. He understands how to progress. He sees the field well. He can buy time with his legs. He's a dangerous runner. He's smart."
Because of Daniels, the Commanders have a shot to hang with the Lions. His unit averaged 28.5 points per game during the regular season and the seventh most yards per game. And, as he showed once again during Washington's playoff win over the Buccaneers, he stays cool under pressure to make clutch plays with the game on the line.
As long as Daniels sticks to that, the Commanders will have a chance.
"Just staying in your pocket and not trying to force stuff, not getting out of your comfort zone and your rhythm because they've hit you on some things," Kingsbury said.
