‘Imperious’. ‘Remarkably Poised’. ‘Dazzling’.
Washington went into Detroit as massive underdogs, and yet they took the Lions apart in their own house.
As the game went on it became more and more entertaining to watch, with Jayden Daniels leading an amazing offensive performance, and the defense managing an unbelievable five takeaways.
You could feel the hope being sucked out of the Lions and their fans with each Washington success, and each Detroit failure. For the Washington faithful it was a dream come true.
As a long-time fan, I think that was one of the best all round performances I have seen from a Washington team in a very long time, perhaps second only to their Super Bowl wins.
However, before we all get too excited, all this needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Detroit were nowhere near their full strength, having 16 injuries going into the game. They were down seven defensive linemen, two linebackers, and three of their secondary – not helped by another breaking his arm on the second play of the game.
That is enough defensive injuries to field an entire first team defense!
Injuries may be part of the game, and credit to the Lions, they did not whinge about them, but we have all seen how injuries can kill off a team’s season and playoff run.
Washington by comparison have been relatively blessed with few injuries this season, and many of those have recovered in time for the end of the season – notably running back Austin Ekeler.
The game stats also confirm that in most categories Washington did not really win this game, the Lions did. Detroit had more first downs, more yards running and passing, and twice the yards per run. However, Washington won in one category that matters the most, turnovers.
The Jayden Daniels fan club
Of course, none of this is what most commentators talked about. For most people it was, perhaps rightly, all about Jayden Daniels.
If you read the post-game press he is described as a ‘Mesmerising Star’, ‘Imperious’, ‘Remarkably Poised’, ‘Dazzling’ and so on.
The biggest takeaway from the game was that Washington has a franchise quarterback. Not just that, but he is as good, if not better, in the postseason than the regular season.
If the Tampa Bay game suggested he was a great postseason player, the Detroit game wrote it on a stone tablet.
Detroit blitzed on roughly half of the plays, and yet they got zero sacks and no turnovers against the rookie. Instead, Daniels punished their blitzes time and time again, whether with his running, or his throws.
Daniels’ confidence was also matched by his wisdom. Early in the game he was happy to run sideways for a couple of yards, or to toss the ball away when nothing was on. He only risked himself when clutch moments called for it.
Looking ahead to Philadelphia
If we win, we go to the Super Bowl. It is as simple, and as close as that! And if we do, we have gone from the second worst, to at least the second best, in one season.
It is remarkable, amazing, and if I was not watching it happen, I would say it is unbelievable, if not impossible.
If we want to win one major obstacle stands in our way, unless we can keep them off the field, and that is Philadelphia’s running back Saquon Barkley.
Washington’s run defense has been abysmal, or more precisely, the second worst in the league, all season.
In the Week 10 match-up between Washington and Philadelphia, Barkley had 26 carries for 146 yards, and two catches for 52 yards. That is 198 yards, approaching half the total production of the Philadelphia offense!
So here we go. Washington vs Philadelphia. Daniels vs Barkley. For a chance to go to the show!
