The NFC Divisional Round is approaching as the Washington Commanders prepare to take on the top-seeded Detroit Lions this Saturday. Tyler Fulghum has shared insights into why he expects the Commanders to cover the spread in this highly anticipated matchup.
The Commanders come off an exhilarating 23-20 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, secured by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who impressively threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns. His performance was pivotal, setting up kicker Zane Gonzalez for a last-minute 37-yard field goal, marking the team’s first playoff win since 2005 and ending the third-longest active playoff drought.
Under head coach Dan Campbell, the Lions are proving to be formidable contenders once again. Last year, they reached the NFC Championship Game but were ultimately defeated by the San Francisco 49ers after holding a substantial lead at halftime. Now, they aim for their first Super Bowl appearance since 1957.
Historical context adds significance to this matchup, as the Commanders and Lions have met three times previously in the playoffs. Washington has won all three encounters, with victories in the wild-card round (1982, 1999) and once in the conference championship (1991), leading to Super Bowl triumphs on both occasions.
Daniels has showcased remarkable composure under pressure, leading five game-winning drives this season—the third most by a rookie quarterback since 1950. With 927 rushing yards, he is the first rookie quarterback to rush for over 900 yards, falling just short of the league’s rushing leader, Lamar Jackson.
On the other side, the Lions boast a stellar season, outscoring opponents by 222 points, and have established a No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history, a significant milestone in their quest to end a long championship drought.
As the commander’s two records draw closer, Daniels currently shares the second-most wins by a rookie quarterback in NFL history with 13, just shy of Ben Roethlisberger’s 14 wins in 2004. Meanwhile, Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs led the league in scrimmage touchdowns with 20, a hallmark of his standout season.
This meeting promises to be exciting, with both teams vying for a chance at an NFC championship berth. The combination of veteran skill and rookie promise makes for a compelling narrative as the two squads prepare for their fourth playoff encounter. Should the Commanders continue their momentum, they could carve out a historic chapter in their franchise’s story.