Anthony Lynn - Commanders RBs coach
The Washington Commanders' rushing attack went through some issues down the stretch. Not having veteran Austin Ekeler didn't help, but the productivity from the running backs earlier in the campaign wasn't evident despite Dan Quinn's squad making the postseason as the NFC's sixth seed.
Jayden Daniels' mobility wasn't going to suffice at the Detroit Lions. They needed the ground game to set a strong tone and make things happen. This would, in theory, give the rookie signal-caller more time in the pocket to get things done through the air.
This is exactly what happened. The Commanders dictated the tempo, controlled the clock, and had a well-balanced offense that gave the Lons endless complications throughout. Kliff Kingsbury took the plaudits and rightfully so, but one cannot underestimate the impact made by Anthony Lynn.
Quinn formed an exceptional coaching staff this offseason. He found the right blend of progressive thinking and experience to steer the Commanders through Year 1 of this comprehensive rebuild. Lynn's arrival was extremely important as a former head coach with proven motivational techniques.
The running backs coach deserves endless praise for the way he had this group ready to shine on the Saturday Night Football primetime stage. Something that's brought speculation linking Lynn with the Dallas Cowboys head coaching job.
Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE
Things didn't look too promising for Dorance Armstrong Jr. early in the contest. The defensive end had the daunting task of facing All-Pro offensive tackle Penei Sewell right out of the gate. Not many get the better of him, which proved to be the case during the opening exchanges.
The Commanders got more from Armstrong as the game progressed. He started to generate pressure and maintained gap discipline against the run. Stopping the dynamic tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs was impossible. Making quarterback Jared Goff uncomfortable was much more feasible.
This is something Armstrong accomplished effectively. The free-agent signing's second-half performance was arguably his best since joining the Commanders. His two sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and three tackles were an underrated yet important contribution to Washington's incredible success.
Armstrong's now set the bar for himself. The Commanders need the former Kansas star must perform up to or above this level at the Philadelphia Eagles if Washington wants to reach the Super Bowl. Nothing else will do in the Lincoln Financial Field pressure cooker.
Dan Quinn believed in Armstrong enough to sign him in free agency after their time together on the Dallas Cowboys. It's not been flawless, but the defensive end has repaid the faith over time.