It’s finally time for the Lions to suit up for playoff action against the Washington Commanders. Both teams are coming off of their best season in decades with Detroit earning their first number one seed and Washington winning their first playoff game since 2005. With that being said, one of their seasons will be cut short, but which team? Let’s see how the stats line up.
Rushing
Both the Lions and the Commanders have been among the best rushing teams in the league throughout the season and that does not stop in the playoffs. For Detroit, after losing running back David Montgomery, it seemed like they would take a step back from the run game without their one-two punch. Instead, Jahmyr Gibbs stepped up his game and allowed for the Lions to continue pounding the ground and winning.
Washington has created a successful run game as well with running backs, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, along with a successful Offensive line.
Overall, it seems that the run battle between the two will come down to their run defense and how well they can stop both teams’ gritty running backs.
Lions
3rd in rushing attempts per game: 31.4
5th in rushing yards per game: 146.4
9th in yards per attempt: 4.7
2nd in rushing touchdowns per game: 1.7
Commanders
4th in rushing attempts per game: 31.1
3rd in rushing yards per game: 150.1
5th in yards per attempt: 4.8
4th in rushing touchdowns per game: 1.4
Passing
While both teams pass less than the majority of the league, they have both found immense success in the passing game. Detroit is led by quarterback Jared Goff, who has had the best season of his career with 4,629 yards- 2nd in the league, 37 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. His right-hand man, Amon-Ra St. Brown, has become one of the premiere wide receivers in the league, scoring 12 touchdowns on the season. The pair has allowed for the Lions to have one of the most explosive offenses in the league and it will be interesting to see if it will continue in the playoffs.
The Commanders have a familiar story as their quarterback rookie sensation, Jayden Daniels, has already made a name for himself with 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. They also have their star wide receiver, Terry McLaurin, who has scored the second-most touchdowns in the league with 13. The passing game will come down to which quarterback can get the ball to their favorite wide receiver more.
Lions
17th in pass attempts per game: 32.4
2nd in yards per attempt: 8.6
2nd in yards per game: 263.2
1st in completion percentage: 72.41%
4th in passing touchdowns per game: 2.3
Commanders
25th in pass attempts per game: 31.1
12th in yards per attempt: 7.5
16th in yards per game: 218.5
6th in completion percentage: 69.46%
8th in passing touchdowns per game: 1.7
Rushing Defense
In what could very well decide in the game, it is very clear that Detroit has the edge with a rush defense that has been solid all year long. Washington on the other hand, has been at the bottom of the league. If the Commanders want a chance to make the NFC Championship, they must find a way to stop the run.
Lions
4th in opponent yards per game: 98.3
22nd in opponent yards per attempt: 4.5
3rd in opponent rushing first downs per game: 5.1
19th in opponent touchdowns per game: 1.1
Commanders
27th in opponent yards per game: 135.4
28th in opponent yards per attempt: 4.7
20th in opponent rushing first downs per game: 7
18th in opponent touchdowns per game: 1
Passing Defense
The Lions are still struggling when it comes to pass defense, although Washington is not much better. That being said, it does seem that the Commanders have the slight edge, and if they can cause turnovers, they have a shot at the upset.
Lions
2nd in opponent completions percentage: 61.15%
29th in opponent yards per game: 244
2nd in opponent yards per attempt: 8.6
23rd in opponent passing first downs per game: 11.6
2nd in opponent passing touchdowns per game: 1.1
Commanders
6th in opponent completions percentage: 62.65%
3rd in opponent yards per game: 189.1
12th in opponent yards per attempt: 7.5
8th in opponent passing first downs per game: 10.4
16th in opponent passing touchdowns per game: 1.5
Other Stats
Takeaways
Lions: 1.4
Commanders: 1
Giveaways
Lions: 0.9
Commanders: 0.9
Penalties per game
Lions: 6.3
Commanders: 6.4
