Loser No. 1
Sam Cosmi - Commanders OL
There was one unfortunate incident that left one Washington Commanders player as an unfortunate loser from a monumental moment in franchise history.
There was an enormous amount of concern when Sam Cosmi got folded up from behind on a touchdown run in the first half. Jayden Daniels and others went to one knee on the field, which is never a good sign. The formidable interior offensive lineman left the field on his own accord, but something was amiss.
After getting further evaluation on the sidelines, Cosmi was originally listed as questionable to return. The Commanders ruled him out soon after, leaving veteran offensive tackle Trenton Scott to fill the void at right guard.
This was immensely disappointing from Cosmi's standpoint. He was around under the previous regime and experienced almost nothing but hardship since entering the league. Not having the chance to contribute wasn't what his supreme consistency throughout the campaign deserved.
It'll be a nervous wait for the Commanders this week where Cosmi is concerned. Washington will do additional tests to determine the official prognosis and recovery timeline. Hopefully, it's nothing too serious and the former Texas star can feature in the NFC Conference championship game.
Winner No. 6
Commanders pass-catchers
Jayden Daniels is a miracle worker under center, but he cannot do it alone. The rookie quarterback needed his primary weapons in the passing game to maximize opportunities when they arose. They took on this challenge and thrived.
The playoffs heighten the need to take advantage of critical moments when they arrive. When the ball comes your way on a crucial down and distance, failure is not an option. Washington's pass-catchers came up huge to take another notable scalp.
Terry McLarin was the heartbeat once again. His catch when a hand was practically in his helmet was exceptional. The second-team All-Pro selections's burst and violent stiff arm were enough for a 58-yard touchdown in the first half.
THAT'S ONE SCARY MAN.
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
📺 #WASvsDET FOX pic.twitter.com/nldySEaU2C
The renaissance of Dyami Brown continued. He's come of age in recent weeks, stacking good performances and firmly establishing himself as a key part of Kliff Kingsbury's offensive strategy. Six catches for 98 receiving yards was proof positive of his growing influence.
Veteran tight end Zach Ertz kept the chains moving with some eye-catching receptions in critical situations. Austin Ekeler's dependability out of the backfield was another positive. The Commanders gained 299 passing yards and three touchdowns. More importantly, they kept mistakes to a minimum.
Winner No. 7
Commanders coaching staff
I was going to single out offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury for his play-calling masterclass. I was going to single out defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. for scheming up opportunities versus one of the league's most prolific offenses. But the entire coaching staff from top to bottom deserves plaudits.
Not just for this game, but for the way they've galvanized this revamped roster to heights not seen in Washington for decades.
Dan Quinn leads the way. He's installed a never-say-die spirit across the Commanders. He puts his money where his mouth is, remaining aggressive and trusting his players fully to come through. This is no more evident than his go-for-the-throat mentality on fourth downs.
This paid off handsomely. The Commanders prepared incredibly well. They knew stopping the Lions from making plays, especially on offense, wasn't realistic. Going toe-to-toe with them and forcing quarterback Jared Goff into mistakes was more attainable. The game plan worked to perfection.
The Commanders are benefitting enormously from the presence of Quinn and his high-caliber coaching staff. And who's to say this stunning fairytale doesn't have a couple more chapters before the story concludes?