Containing Jahmyr Gibbs
Just look at the offensive firepower the Detroit Lions put on the field. Their offensive line boasts two All-Pros and has no obvious weakness. It helped running back David Montgomery run for 775 yards, score 12 touchdowns, and convert 50 first downs despite missing three games.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is another All-Pro with 12 touchdowns and more than 100 catches on the year. His running mate Jameson Williams hit paydirt seven times and averaged better than 17 yards per catch. Tight end Sam LaPorta also got into the end zone seven times on 60 catches. Jared Goff finished the year with a passer rating of 111.8.
I have yet to mention the man who has become the Lions' most dangerous player on offense.
Some analysts criticized general manager Brad Holmes for taking the 5-foot-9, 200-pound Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. The common wisdom said that was far too high for a running back in today’s NFL. He rewarded the team's foresight by making two straight Pro Bowls.
This year, Gibbs recorded almost 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 20 touchdowns. The season was dominated by spectacular efforts from running backs like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs. The former Alabama star, often playing in tandem with Montgomery, was the equal of any of them.
Both as a runner and as a pass catcher, Gibbs poses enormous headaches for any defense. Joe Whitt Jr. needs to solve this complex riddle to give the Commanders a fighting chance.
Commanders' plan for Austin Ekeler
Several years ago, Austin Ekeler was the closest thing in the league to the 2024 Jahmyr Gibbs. He may have lost a step, but he has shown time and time again this year that he is still one of the Washington Commanders’ most important weapons.
The offense struggled when they lost Noah Brown. Brian Robinson Jr. and Tyler Biadasz have been in and out with assorted pesky issues. But nothing hurt as much as losing Ekeler over the final third of the season. His return to form is essential for the Commanders' offense to thrive.
Ekeler was stymied for most of the Tampa Bay game, but he made two enormous runs. The first was just a two-yarder, but it converted a vital fourth down. He was stopped short and bulled his way through a defender who outweighed him by about 80 pounds.
The second came late in the game when he finally found a hole in the middle and ran for eight yards on first down, which helped set up the endgame scenario. In that same drive, Ekeler made an excellent catch and run for another big gain.
Ekeler simply has a knack for finding holes. He needs to play a much bigger role in the red zone. He is still just a few years removed from totaling 38 touchdowns over two years. Washington needs a big game from him if they are to keep pace with Gibbs and the rest of the Lions' potent attack.
The Commanders have an enormous mountain to scale on Saturday, but at this point, no one should doubt them.
They will step onto the field expecting to win. That belief will not be shaken even if things don’t go well early.
If the Commanders can keep the game close, is there anyone out there who doesn’t think Jayden Daniels and his crew could pull off another miracle at the end?