Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Match Player Stats: Divisional Round 2025 Analysis

Introduction

Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats exploded after their electrifying NFC Divisional Round clash on January 18 2025 at Ford Field. The Washington Commanders, led by rookie sensation Jayden Daniels, stunned the top-seeded Detroit Lions with a 45-31 upset, advancing to their first NFC Championship since 1991 (espn.com). This game, marked by explosive offenses, costly turnovers, and a historic second quarter, captivated NFL fans. Daniels’ 350 total yards and the Commanders’ five forced turnovers overshadowed Detroit’s high-powered attack, led by Jared Goff and Jahmyr Gibbs (nfl.com).

Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats matter This game showcased a changing of the guard, with a rebuilding Washington team outshining a Super Bowl favorite. This player performances, key stats, and what made this upset one of the biggest in playoff history. Using sources like ESPN, NFL.com, and Yahoo Sports, we’ll break down the numbers and moments that defined the game (espn.com, nfl.com, sports.yahoo.com).

Game Overview: A Historic Upset

The Washington Commanders (14-5) entered as 9.5-point underdogs against the Detroit Lions (15-3), who boasted the NFC’s #1 seed after a franchise-record 15 wins (nbcsports.com). Played on January 18, 2025, at Ford Field, the game saw Washington dominate early, capitalizing on Detroit’s five turnovers to secure a 45-31 victory (pro-football-reference.com). The second quarter alone made history, with 42 combined points—the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history (espn.com).

Washington’s offense, led by Daniels, racked up 481 total yards, while their defense, under Joe Whitt Jr., forced four turnovers from Goff and one from Jameson Williams (detroitlions.com). Detroit’s 521 yards were overshadowed by their inability to stop Washington’s clutch plays, including 3-of-4 fourth-down conversions (cbssports.com). Key injuries, like Lions’ CB Amik Robertson’s broken arm and Commanders’ OG Sam Cosmi’s leg injury, impacted both teams (cbssports.com). Let’s dive into the standout player stats driving “Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats” searches.

Washington Commanders: Key Player Stats

Jayden Daniels (QB)

Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was the heartbeat of Washington’s upset. He completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns, and a 122.9 passer rating, adding 51 rushing yards on eight carries (commanders.com). His 350 combined yards rank second all-time for a rookie in a postseason game, and his 242 first-half passing yards set an NFL rookie playoff record (espn.com). Daniels’ poise against Detroit’s 34.6% blitz rate (second-highest in the NFL) was remarkable, going 12-of-16 for 191 yards and a touchdown under pressure (commanders.com).

Notable plays included a 58-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin on a screen and a 5-yard scoring toss to Zach Ertz (foxsports.com). Daniels’ zero turnovers contrasted sharply with Goff’s struggles, earning him Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game honors (foxsports.com). His fourth-down conversion on a 3-yard rush late in the third quarter kept a crucial drive alive (cbssports.com). Daniels’ stats cement him as a frontrunner for the 2025 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (nbcsports.com).

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB)

Running back Brian Robinson Jr. rebounded from a lackluster Wild Card performance, rushing for 77 yards on 15 carries (5.1 Y/A) and scoring two touchdowns (hogshaven.com). His 2-yard and 1-yard scores came on drives extended by Daniels’ clutch plays and a Lions’ penalty (cbssports.com). Unlike his 1.6 Y/A against Tampa Bay, Robinson benefited from better blocking, with all 77 yards gained before contact (hogshaven.com). His performance was pivotal in Washington’s 139 rushing yards, exploiting Detroit’s injury-weakened front (nfl.com).

Terry McLaurin (WR)

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin turned four receptions into 87 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown that shifted momentum in the second quarter (sports.yahoo.com). His 81 yards after catch (YAC), with 60 on the TD, showcased his elusiveness (hogshaven.com). McLaurin’s 2.56 yards per route run (Y/RR) tied him with Austin Ekeler as Washington’s second-most productive receiver (hogshaven.com). His ability to break tackles against Detroit’s depleted secondary was critical.

Dyami Brown (WR)

Dyami Brown led Washington’s receivers with six catches on eight targets for 98 yards, averaging 3.5 Y/RR—an elite mark (hogshaven.com). His 12.3 average depth of target (ADOT) stretched Detroit’s defense, creating space for underneath routes (hogshaven.com). Brown’s three first downs and 5.2 YAC per reception highlighted his growing role in Washington’s offense (commanders.com).

Zach Ertz (TE)

Tight end Zach Ertz caught all five targets for 28 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown in the second quarter (hogshaven.com). While not a high-volume contributor, Ertz’s reliability on third and fourth downs was crucial, with his score capping a drive that gave Washington a 24-14 lead (espn.com).

Defensive Standouts

Washington’s defense forced five turnovers, with rookie corner Mike Sainristil grabbing two interceptions—one off Goff and one on a trick play by Williams (sports.yahoo.com). Safety Quan Martin’s 40-yard pick-six in the second quarter was a game-changer, pushing Washington’s lead to 24-14 (nfl.com). Linebacker Frankie Luvu recovered a fumble forced by Dorance Armstrong’s strip-sack on Goff, leading to a 78-yard touchdown drive (commanders.com). Safety Jeremy Chinn sealed the game with a late interception (foxsports.com). The defense’s 5.0 sacks and 10 QB hits disrupted Goff’s rhythm, despite Detroit’s 521 yards (pro-football-reference.com).

Detroit Lions: Key Player Stats

Jared Goff (QB)

Quarterback Jared Goff had a night to forget, completing 23 of 40 passes for 313 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions, plus a fumble (detroitlions.com). His 59.7 passer rating reflected costly mistakes, including a pick-six to Martin, an end-zone interception, and a fumble in scoring range (nfl.com). Goff’s lone touchdown, a 7-yard pass to Sam LaPorta, briefly gave Detroit a 14-10 lead (espn.com). Facing Washington’s 31.5% blitz rate (fifth-highest in the NFL), Goff struggled, with four turnovers in the first half alone (freep.com). A late interception to Chinn ended Detroit’s hopes (foxsports.com).

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB)

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was a bright spot, rushing for 105 yards on 14 carries (7.5 Y/A) and scoring two touchdowns—an 8-yard run and a 61-yard reverse (sports.yahoo.com). His 152 all-purpose yards kept Detroit competitive, but his impact waned as turnovers forced the Lions to abandon the run (cbssports.com). Gibbs exploited Washington’s 30th-ranked run defense (137.5 YPG allowed), but it wasn’t enough (cbssports.com).

Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)

Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight passes for 137 yards, including a 13-yard grab on a late fourth-down conversion (foxsports.com). His 17.1 yards per catch stretched Washington’s secondary, but Goff’s turnovers limited his opportunities (pro-football-reference.com). St. Brown’s performance was a highlight in an otherwise disappointing night for Detroit’s passing game.

Sam LaPorta (TE)

Tight end Sam LaPorta scored Detroit’s only passing touchdown, a 7-yard catch in the second quarter, finishing with four receptions for 45 yards (espn.com). His one-handed grab showcased his athleticism, but Washington’s tight coverage limited his impact (sports.yahoo.com).

Jameson Williams (WR)

Wide receiver Jameson Williams contributed a 61-yard touchdown run on a reverse but threw a costly interception on a trick play in the fourth quarter, picked off by Sainristil (prideofdetroit.com). His three catches for 28 yards were overshadowed by the turnover, which led to a Washington touchdown (nfl.com).

Defensive Struggles

Detroit’s defense, plagued by 13 players on IR, including six starters, allowed 481 yards and failed to force a punt until the third quarter (detroitlions.com). CB Amik Robertson’s broken arm on Washington’s second snap weakened an already thin secondary (cbssports.com). A critical penalty—12 men on the field on a fourth-and-2—extended a 15-play, 70-yard Washington touchdown drive (prideofdetroit.com). The Lions’ 3.0 sacks couldn’t offset their inability to stop Daniels’ quick reads (nfl.com).

Key Moments and Stats Breakdown

The game’s turning points were rooted in turnovers and fourth-down conversions. Washington’s 3-of-4 fourth-down success, including Daniels’ 3-yard rush and a Lions’ penalty, sustained long scoring drives (cbssports.com). Detroit’s five turnovers—four from Goff, one from Williams—led to 17 Washington points, including Martin’s pick-six and a 66-yard touchdown drive after Sainristil’s interception (commanders.com). The second quarter’s 28-14 scoring edge for Washington set a playoff record, with Daniels’ 242 passing yards fueling a 31-21 halftime lead (espn.com).

Washington’s 481 total yards (299 passing, 182 rushing) outpaced Detroit’s 521 (313 passing, 208 rushing), but the Commanders’ zero turnovers versus Detroit’s five were decisive (pro-football-reference.com). Both teams excelled offensively, with Washington scoring on 50% of drives and Detroit on 51.2% during the regular season (freep.com). However, Detroit’s defensive injuries and penalties, like the too-many-men infraction, crippled their chances (prideofdetroit.com).

Why This Game Mattered

The “Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats” reflect a pivotal moment for both franchises. For Washington, a team with a 4-13 record in 2023, Daniels’ emergence and Dan Quinn’s leadership signaled a new era (sports.yahoo.com). Their first NFC Championship berth since 1991, against either the Eagles or Rams, underscores their rapid rise (foxsports.com). For Detroit, the loss was a crushing end to a 15-2 season, raising questions about coordinators Aaron Glenn and Ben Johnson’s futures (prideofdetroit.com). The Lions’ failure to reach their first Super Bowl despite home-field advantage left fans reeling (sports.yahoo.com).

Where to Find More Stats

Fans searching Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats can explore:

• ESPN.com: Detailed box scores and game recaps (espn.com).
• NFL.com: Play-by-play analysis and advanced stats (nfl.com).
• Pro-Football-Reference.com: Comprehensive player and team stats (pro-football-reference.com).
• Commanders.com: In-depth notes on Daniels and defensive takeaways (commanders.com).
• FoxSports.com: Highlights and live updates (foxsports.com).

Follow @NFL and @Commanders on X for real-time insights, like Daniels’ record-setting night (post:2). Apps like CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports offer mobile-friendly stats (cbssports.com, sports.yahoo.com).

Conclusion

The “Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats” from January 18, 2025, tell the story of a monumental upset. Jayden Daniels’ 299 passing yards, two touchdowns, and zero turnovers outshone Jared Goff’s 313 yards marred by four turnovers (espn.com). Brian Robinson Jr.’s 77 yards and two scores, Terry McLaurin’s 58-yard touchdown, and Mike Sainristil’s two interceptions powered Washington to a 45-31 victory (nfl.com). Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs (105 yards, two TDs) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (137 yards) fought valiantly, but five turnovers and defensive injuries sealed their fate (detroitlions.com).

This game redefined both teams’ trajectories, propelling Washington to the NFC Championship and leaving Detroit to regroup (sports.yahoo.com). For fans craving more, ESPN, NFL.com, and Pro-Football-Reference.com offer deep stats, while X posts from @NFL capture the excitement (espn.com, nfl.com, post:2). What’s your take—did Daniels’ poise or Detroit’s turnovers surprise you most? Share in the comments and stay tuned for Washington’s next chapter.

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