7 winners (and 1 loser) from Commanders' stunning playoff success at the Lions

The Washington Commanders are going to the NFC Conference championship game.

This team continues to defy the odds. It defies the typical logic associated with first-year rebuilds. They are an incredible example of how to approach every challenge with purpose, professionalism, and collective desire. Their results continue to captivate the imagination of everyone around the league.

Not many gave them a shot at the Detroit Lions. They began the game as 8.5-point underdogs with sportsbooks versus the NFC's No. 1 seed. It didn't take long to realize that head coach Dan Campbell's squad was going to have a supreme fight on their hands.

The Commanders looked like they belonged. They rose to the big occasion and closed things out with ruthless conviction. And now, Dan Quinn and this once-downtrodden organization is one victory away from reaching the Super Bowl.

This was beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Many thought the Commanders had done well to reach this point and playing with house money wasn't enough to topple Detroit. That was not an opinion shared by anyone in the locker room.

They believe anything is possible. And it would take a brave man to write them off next weekend regardless of who's standing in their way.

That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are six winners and one loser from Washington's thrilling upset success at Ford Field.

Winners and losers from Commanders' upset triumph at the Lions

Winner No. 1

Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT

Big games like this call for big performers. Jonathan Allen was exactly that during his best performance in some time.

Allen came back for this. The Washington Commanders gave him a chance by making it to the playoffs. This spurred the defensive tackle to recover from his torn pectoral quicker than expected to lend a helping hand during the postseason.

There was pressure on Allen to perform in this one. His Pro Bowl-caliber powers were on the wane. He needed to remind everyone that there was still plenty of juice left in the tank. The Pro Bowler set the tone in the defensive trenches and was a relentless presence in the Detroit Lions backfield.

The former first-round pick out of Alabama gained just one tackle, but Allen impacted proceedings in different ways. He secured six pressures — his highest number since Week 11 of the 2022 season. There was also one tackle for loss, a pass breakup, four hurries, and three quarterback hits to further enhance his influence.

This was much more like it from Allen. He can look back on his performance with an enormous sense of pride. And he wasn't alone in that regard.

Winner No. 2

Jayden Daniels - Commanders QB

Jayden Daniels is a phenom. The Washington Commanders are riding a tidal wave of momentum and unrivaled positivity with the rookie quarterback under center. His poise and composure in the highest stakes continue to amaze.

No moment shakes Daniels. His demeanor stays the same no matter the environment. The No. 2 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft delivers through a unique blend of composure, aggressiveness, and savviness beyond his years. He's woken a sleeping giant and has the Commanders one more win away from the Super Bowl.

Daniels walked into Ford Field like it was a game of 7-on-7 in the park. He dictated the tempo, took calculated risks when needed, and relied on his escapability to avoid pressure when defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn began sending blitzes almost constantly. Some of the throws on key down and distances were astonishing.

The former LSU standout's legend continues to grow. Daniels is an assassin — a cold-blooded killer who displays nerves of steel on every down. Teammates rallied behind him quickly and he rewarded them with elite-level production that fans scarcely believed was possible.

Washington is in good hands with Daniels. But as he stated after the game, the job is not finished just yet.

Winner No. 3

Commanders secondary

Stopping the high-octane Detroit Lions' passing game from gaining yards was impossible. The Commanders almost conceded that before the game. This was all about taking advantage of opportunities when they arose.

It was a successful mission in that regard. The secondary was opportunistic en route to a memorable triumph. They didn't have things all their way, but four takeaways were better than even the brightest optimist envisaged beforehand.

Quan Martin's pick-six turned the tide, giving the Commanders a lead they would never relinquish. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil helped himself to two interceptions as his exceptional first season in the pros gained more steam. Standout safety Jeremy Chinn put the exclamation point on proceedings with a pick on the Lions' final offensive play.

The influence of Marshon Lattimore cannot be overstated, either.

He returned to something like his old self after struggling at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The four-time Pro Bwler locked down his side of the field, having just one target thrown in his direction for zero yards allowed. Lattimore was also a dominant presence against the run in the second half. This was exactly why the Commanders acquired the Ohio State product via trade from the New Orleans Saints.

Washington's secondary gave up 336 passing yards as the Lions chased the contest. But when the time came to step up and make a play, they delivered.

Winner No. 4

Commanders OL

The Washington Commanders needed their offensive line to make a leading contribution to stand any chance of keeping this game competitive. This maligned unit answered the call in no uncertain terms.

There was something different about Washington's protection right from the outset. They were aggressive, intent on winning their battles in the trenches to become a cohesive group in front of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. There were some lapses, but it was a huge step in the right direction.

The offensive tackle tandem of Brandon Coleman and Andrew Wylie provided Daniels with a bookend tandem to depend upon. Tyler Biadasz communicated well pre-snap and the center was healthier looking at his performance levels throughout. Nick Allegretti was solid. Sam Cosmi too until he got hurt.

Even Trenton Scott — an edge protector by trade who came in as Cosmi's replacement at right guard — stepped up to the plate. The pass protection versus an under-strength Detroit Lions defense was exemplary. Perhaps more impressive was their ability to carve up the running lanes needed to do damage.

The Commanders weren't going to win this game without better production at the line of scrimmage. Dan Quinn must have been thrilled with what he saw. A display of resolve that didn't go unnoticed.z

Winner No. 5

Commanders rushing attack

Speaking of the ground game...

The Commanders' rushing attack picked a good time to make a successful return to their form earlier in the season. Detroit's run defense was among the league's best during the regular season. That didn't stop Washington from testing them by running it straight down their throat.

Having a dual-threat weapon like Jayden Daniels under center kept the Lions' defense honest. They had to account for the signal-caller at all times. But there was a lot to like about the ground game's ability to set the tone at the best possible time for this resurgent franchise.

Brian Robinson Jr. heard the criticism. He responded accordingly with powerful running, aggressiveness, and outstanding contract balance to maximize almost every touch that came his way. This was much more like it from the Alabama product after some indifferent performances in recent weeks.

Robinson was ably assisted by Austin Ekeler, who caused endless complications to Detroit's defense as a runner and pass-catching outlet out of the backfield. Daniels got his customary yards and Jeremy McNichols also got in on the act with a rushing touchdown.

The Commanders gained 182 rushing yards and three scores from 42 carries. It was an imposing performance that made things easier for everybody.

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.

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?

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