Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats

On January 18, 2025, the Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field. This game was a thrilling display of offensive firepower, defensive heroics, and game-changing moments that left NFL fans buzzing. If you’re looking for a detailed breakdown of the player stats, key performances, and what made this matchup unforgettable, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive into the numbers and stories behind this epic clash, presented in a way that’s easy to read and understand for fans of all ages.

Game Overview: A Playoff Upset for the Ages

The Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, faced a formidable Detroit Lions team that had dominated the regular season with a 15-2 record. The Lions were favored to win, but the Commanders had other plans. With a balanced offensive attack, a stout defense that forced five turnovers, and some standout individual performances, Washington secured their first road playoff win in franchise history and advanced to the NFC Championship for the first time since 1992.

This article will break down the key player stats from both teams, highlight standout performers, and provide context for why this game was such a turning point. Whether you’re a die-hard Commanders fan, a Lions supporter, or just love football, you’ll find all the details you need to relive this incredible game.

Team Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: A Tale of Offense and Opportunistic Defense

Before we dive into individual performances, let’s look at the overall team stats to set the stage. These numbers give a clear picture of how the game unfolded:

• Total Yards: Commanders – 481, Lions – 521

• First Downs: Commanders – 27, Lions – 30

• Passing Yards: Commanders – 299, Lions – 320

• Rushing Yards: Commanders – 182, Lions – 201

• Turnovers: Commanders – 0, Lions – 5 (4 interceptions, 1 fumble lost)

• Time of Possession: Commanders – 33:59, Lions – 26:01

• Third Down Efficiency: Commanders – 4/12, Lions – 3/9

• Red Zone Efficiency: Commanders – 4/4, Lions – 3/6

• Penalties: Commanders – 4 for 25 yards, Lions – 5 for 30 yards

The Commanders’ ability to capitalize on turnovers and their perfect red-zone efficiency were key to their victory. Despite the Lions gaining more total yards, Washington’s defense made crucial plays, and their offense was clinical when it mattered most.

Washington Commanders: Key Player Stats

Passing: Jayden Daniels Shines as a Rookie Star

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was the heartbeat of the Commanders’ offense. In his first playoff start, he delivered a performance that will be remembered for years. Here’s how he stacked up:

• Completions/Attempts: 22/31 (71% completion rate)

• Yards: 299

• Touchdowns: 2

• Interceptions: 0

• Passer Rating: 122.9

• Longest Pass: 58 yards

Daniels was electric, especially in the first half, where he threw for 242 yards, the most by a rookie quarterback in a playoff game’s first half in NFL history. His 58-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin was a game-changer, showcasing his ability to make big plays under pressure. Daniels also added 51 rushing yards on 16 carries, proving his dual-threat ability.

Rushing: Brian Robinson Jr. Powers the Ground Game

The Commanders’ rushing attack was led by Brian Robinson Jr., who bullied his way through the Lions’ defense. His stats include:

• Carries: 15

• Yards: 77

• Touchdowns: 2

• Longest Run: 15 yards

Robinson’s two rushing touchdowns tied a franchise record for a postseason game, matching Stephen Davis’ performance against the Lions in 1999. Austin Ekeler complemented Robinson with 6 carries for 47 yards, adding a spark with his elusive running style. Jeremy McNichols also chipped in with a 1-yard touchdown run, finishing with 4 carries for 8 yards.

Receiving: Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown Step Up

The Commanders’ passing game relied heavily on their wide receivers and tight ends. Here’s a look at the top performers:

• Terry McLaurin:

  • Receptions: 4

  • Yards: 87

  • Touchdowns: 1

  • Longest Catch: 58 yards McLaurin’s 58-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was a momentum-shifter, and his 87 yards pushed him to 250 career postseason receiving yards, making him the 10th player in franchise history to reach that mark.

• Dyami Brown:

  • Receptions: 6

  • Yards: 98

  • Touchdowns: 0

  • Longest Catch: 42 yards Brown was a reliable target for Daniels, hauling in 6 catches and nearly breaking the 100-yard mark.

• Zach Ertz:

  • Receptions: 5

  • Yards: 28

  • Touchdowns: 1

  • Longest Catch: 10 yards Ertz’s 5-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter was a key moment, and his 5 receptions moved him to 43 career postseason catches, passing several notable tight ends on the all-time list.

Defense: Turnovers Galore

The Commanders’ defense was the real difference-maker, forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions. Here are the standout defensive performers:

• Mike Sainristil:

  • Tackles: 5 (4 solo)

  • Interceptions: 2 (22 yards)

  • Passes Defensed: 2 Sainristil, a rookie cornerback, became the first Commanders player to record two interceptions in a playoff game since Barry Wilburn in Super Bowl XXII. His picks were crucial in swinging momentum.

• Jeremy Chinn:

  • Tackles: 12 (7 solo)

  • Interceptions: 1 (7 yards)

  • Passes Defensed: 1 Chinn led the team in tackles and added an interception, becoming the first Washington player with 10+ tackles in a postseason game since Jeremy Reaves in 2020.

• Quan Martin:

  • Tackles: 3 (2 solo)

  • Interceptions: 1 (40 yards, 1 touchdown)

  • Passes Defensed: 1 Martin’s 40-yard pick-six in the second quarter was a game-defining moment, giving Washington a 24-14 lead.

• Dorance Armstrong:

  • Tackles: 3 (3 solo)

  • Sacks: 2

  • Tackles for Loss: 2

  • Forced Fumbles: 1 Armstrong’s two sacks tied a franchise postseason record, and his forced fumble set up a scoring opportunity.

• Frankie Luvu:

  • Tackles: 9 (5 solo)

  • Fumble Recoveries: 1 Luvu’s hustle and physicality helped disrupt the Lions’ offense, and his fumble recovery was a key play.

Special Teams: Zane Gonzalez and Tress Way Deliver

• Zane Gonzalez (Kicker):

  • Field Goals: 1/2 (47 yards)

  • Extra Points: 6/6 Gonzalez was nearly perfect, converting all six extra points and a 47-yard field goal.

• Tress Way (Punter):

  • Punts: 1

  • Yards: 48

  • Inside 20: 1 Way’s lone punt pinned the Lions deep, showcasing his precision.

Detroit Lions: Key Player Stats

Passing: Jared Goff Struggles with Turnovers

The Lions’ passing game, led by Jared Goff, had its moments but was plagued by turnovers. Here’s how Goff performed:

• Completions/Attempts: 23/40 (57.5% completion rate)

• Yards: 313

• Touchdowns: 1

• Interceptions: 3

• Passer Rating: 59.7

• Longest Pass: 34 yards

Goff’s three interceptions were costly, including one returned for a touchdown by Quan Martin. Teddy Bridgewater and David Montgomery also attempted passes, completing 1/1 for 3 yards and 1/1 for 20 yards, respectively, but Jameson Williams threw an interception on a trick play.

Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs Shines Despite the Loss

The Lions’ ground game was a bright spot, led by Jahmyr Gibbs:

• Carries: 14

• Yards: 105

• Touchdowns: 2

• Longest Run: 33 yards

Gibbs was explosive, scoring on 1-yard and 8-yard runs. Jameson Williams added a 61-yard touchdown run, showcasing his speed, while David Montgomery had 7 carries for 28 yards.

Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown Leads the Way

The Lions’ receivers put up solid numbers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the turnovers:

• Amon-Ra St. Brown:

  • Receptions: 8

  • Yards: 137

  • Touchdowns: 0

  • Longest Catch: 34 yards St. Brown was Goff’s go-to target, consistently finding open space.

• Sam LaPorta:

  • Receptions: 6

  • Yards: 51

  • Touchdowns: 1

  • Longest Catch: 14 yards LaPorta’s 2-yard touchdown catch kept the Lions in the game early.

• Jahmyr Gibbs:

  • Receptions: 6

  • Yards: 70

  • Touchdowns: 0

  • Longest Catch: 23 yards Gibbs was a dual-threat weapon, contributing heavily in the passing game.

• Kalif Raymond:

  • Receptions: 3

  • Yards: 37

  • Touchdowns: 0

  • Longest Catch: 15 yards

Defense: Jack Campbell and Alex Anzalone Fight Hard

The Lions’ defense struggled to contain the Commanders’ offense but had some notable performers:

• Jack Campbell:

  • Tackles: 14 (8 solo) Campbell led the team in tackles, showing his tenacity.

• Alex Anzalone:

  • Tackles: 13 (12 solo)

  • Tackles for Loss: 2 Anzalone was a force in the middle, but it wasn’t enough to stop Washington’s attack.

• Brian Branch:

  • Tackles: 11 (8 solo)

  • Tackles for Loss: 2

  • Forced Fumbles: 1 Branch’s physicality was evident, but the Lions couldn’t capitalize on his efforts.

Special Teams: Jake Bates and Jack Fox

• Jake Bates (Kicker):

  • Field Goals: 1/1 (28 yards)

  • Extra Points: 4/4 Bates was perfect on his attempts.

• Jack Fox (Punter):

  • Punts: 1

  • Yards: 43 Fox’s lone punt was solid but didn’t change the game’s momentum.

Key Moments and Game-Changing Plays

The game was defined by several pivotal moments:

1. Quan Martin’s Pick-Six: In the second quarter, Martin’s 40-yard interception return for a touchdown gave the Commanders a 24-14 lead, shifting the momentum.

2. Terry McLaurin’s 58-Yard Touchdown: Daniels’ deep pass to McLaurin in the second quarter was a highlight-reel play that showcased Washington’s big-play ability.

3. Mike Sainristil’s Two Interceptions: The rookie cornerback’s pair of picks, including one on a trick play by Jameson Williams, stifled the Lions’ comeback hopes.

4. Brian Robinson Jr.’s Rushing TDs: His two scores, including a 1-yard plunge in the fourth quarter, kept the Lions at bay.

5. Jeremy Chinn’s Game-Sealing Interception: Late in the fourth quarter, Chinn’s interception ended any chance of a Lions comeback.

Why This Game Mattered

The Commanders’ victory was historic for several reasons:

• First Road Playoff Win: Washington had never won a playoff game on the road before this game.

• NFC Championship Berth: The win sent the Commanders to their first NFC Championship since 1992.

• Rookie Brilliance: Jayden Daniels’ 299 passing yards and 350 combined yards rank among the best by a rookie in NFL playoff history.

• Defensive Dominance: Forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions, made Washington the first team to do so in a playoff game since the 2023 Chargers.

For the Lions, the loss was a bitter end to a promising season. Despite their 15-2 regular-season record, turnovers and defensive lapses cost them a chance to advance.

Historical Context: Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats Rivalry

The Commanders improved their all-time postseason record against the Lions to 4-0, with previous wins in 1982, 1991, and 1999. Overall, Washington leads the series 32-16, including regular-season games. This game added another chapter to a rivalry where the Commanders have historically had the upper hand.

Conclusion: A Game to Remember

The Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats on January 18, 2025, was a masterclass in opportunistic football. Jayden Daniels proved he’s a star in the making, the defense forced turnovers at critical moments, and the offense was relentless in the red zone. For Lions fans, Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown showed why they’re among the NFL’s best, but turnovers were their undoing.