Everyone associated with the Washington Commanders is beaming with pride after their memorable Wild Card success at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But the hard work isn't over.
The Commanders are focused on the next challenge rather than anything they've accomplished previously. It's what got them this far during a sensational first season under head coach Dan Quinn. Keeping the same mindset ahead of their sternest challenge to date is crucial.
Quinn knows that more will be needed to counteract the supreme threat posed by the Detroit Lions. They are the NFC's No. 1 seed for a reason. Their offense is phenomenal and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a master at his craft. Couple this with being on the road in a hostile environment, it's not hard to see where the complications could arise.
There is no wiggle room for the Commanders. Everyone needs to perform up to or above expectations to keep this competitive. Nothing else will do if Washington wants to cause a monumental upset en route to the NFC Conference championship game.
With this in mind, here are five Commanders players with no margin for error at the Lions. We'll begin with veteran defensive tackle Jonathan Allen.
Commanders players with no margin for error in the Divisional Round
Jonathan Allen - Commanders DT
There wasn't much the Washington Commanders' defense could do to stop the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fortunately for Dan Quinn's squad, the offense controlled the clock with supreme efficiency to spearhead their triumph.
Jonathan Allen was largely anonymous at Raymond James Stadium. The veteran defensive lineman failed to register a single statistic and was contained comfortably by the Buccaneers' offensive line interior. That has to change this weekend at the Detroit Lions.
Allen played 58 percent of defensive snaps last time out, so the Commanders are easing him back into the rotation after spending most of the campaign on injured reserve with a torn pectoral. But considering the opposition and the fact this could be Washington's last game of the campaign, he'll be tasked with more.
That bears more significance if Daron Payne is limited after a gruesome dislocated finger suffered at the Buccaneers. Either way, the Commanders need Allen back to his dominant best versus one of the league's most prolific offensive lines.
There are growing doubts about whether Allen will be part of the team's plans beyond 2024. This looks like a great opportunity to silence his doubters and put together an accomplished display.
Tyler Biadasz - Commanders C
Tyler Biadasz's presence in the lineup was a major boost for the Washington Commanders in their Wild Card triumph at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, his performance wasn't up to his usual standards.
It wasn't the easiest task for Biadasz. Going up against Pro Bowl nose tackle Vita Vea is a challenging task not many around the league easily navigate. The communication pre-snap improved, but the veteran struggled in pass protection and couldn't provide a solid anchor on running plays.
Biadasz is good enough to ensure this wayward effort was a blip rather than the start of anything more concerning. He's been a breath of fresh air since joining the Commanders in free agency. They need all that and more to contain the Detroit Lions' interior pressure on the road.
The Lions' defense is missing several influential figures, but they remain dangerous. Biadasz will be tasked with keeping the defensive tackle tandem of Levi Onwuzurike and D.J. Reader in check alongside Nick Allegretti and Sam Cosmi. The Commanders won't get any further during the postseason if their offensive line suffers similar problems to that which they experienced at Raymond James Stadium.
This was Biadasz's first game back from injury. That gives him a pass, but he needs to return to his form earlier in the campaign if Washington wants to keep this competitive.
Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB
Brian Robinson Jr.'s recent regression is deeply concerning. One can point to the offensive line not getting enough push, but the explosiveness and contact balance displayed earlier in the campaign have deserted him.
There seems to be a confidence issue with Robinson. The former third-round pick out of Alabama is struggling to make his presence felt and the coaching staff aren't giving him a hefty workload as a result. That's piling more pressure on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels to put his dual-threat capabilities to good use.
Establishing the run versus the Detroit Lions might be difficult. They are among the league's best at stopping the run, giving up 98.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season. The best way to counteract their dynamic offense is controlling the clock — something that could also take the crowd out of the equation for good measure. The ground game will be key to that.
Robinson will be under the microscope more than most. He's got the talent and is a willing runner. Finding the player's mojo and building early momentum might be enough to turn the tide, but the margin for error has gone from slim to non-existent where the backfield threat is concerned.
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.