Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB
Marshon Lattimore deserves credit for giving it a go in the Wild Card round despite dealing with a hamstring issue. Unfortunately for the cornerback, his overall contribution was underwhelming at best.
All eyes were on Lattimore as he locked horns once again with bitter rival Mike Evans. The shutdown cornerback had the better of this matchup throughout his time in the NFC South. That wasn't the case in this instance.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers targeted Evans heavily whenever he was matched up against Lattimore. He looked a yard off the pace after missing so much football and the four-time Pro Bowler struggled to make his typical impact on proceedings. This forced the Washington Commanders into a defensive adjustment — something that limited the wideout's influence considerably over the second half.
Much will depend on Lattimore's status throughout this week. There isn't much time to heal with the Commanders playing on Saturday Night Football at the Detroit Lions. This is also a devastatingly efficient offense that can put up points in a hurry.
Asking Lattimore to shadow Amon-Ra St. Brown might be a stretch considering how he fared against Evans. Regardless of what the Commanders task him with, the former first-round pick out of Ohio State needs to step up and remind the world of his outstanding credentials.
Brandon Coleman - Commanders OT
Brandon Coleman is currently dealing with a knee issue. The rookie left tackle is toughing it out as the Commanders continue their exceptional campaign into the postseason. However, the complication had a detrimental impact on his performance levels.
Coleman's done well overall this season. The Commanders tasked him with significant responsibilities, which made his rookie year a sink-or-swim scenario. There have been plenty of positives to take. Even so, some glaring flaws could be exploited as a weak link by the Detroit Lions.
There is a rigidness to Coleman's pass protection that wasn't evident earlier in the campaign. The robocop-style leg brace he's using to prevent his knee issue from flaring up is a big reason. But the lack of push generated on running plays is equally concerning.
This is the playoffs. The Commanders are coming up against the No. 1 seed on the road. Although the Lions have been decimated defensively through injury, they remain a significant obstacle to overcome.
Coleman needs to improve. He needs to show the correct resolve and make an immediate statement. The former TCU standout struggled to contain Yaya Diaby against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That won't suffice at Ford Field despite Detroit's defense being under-strength.