Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels surpassed the Indianapolis Colts’ Andrew Luck for the most offensive yards by a rookie, including playoffs, in NFL history during Saturday’s Divisional Round game against the Detroit Lions.

Everything special about Jayden Daniels manifested for the first time in the NFL over 5.3 seconds on the night of Sept. 23. It was his third game; he was on the road against a supposed heavyweight; he was dueling a superstar whose heavy shadow he had not been able to escape for the previous two years.

To upset the No. 1 seeded Detroit Lions on the road, the Washington Commanders knew they’d probably have to be perfect. They knew they’d have to pull out every trick from their bag to steal points, possessions, and generally keep the Lions on their toes.

It's rare for an NFL team to have a Super Bowl-winning player on its executive staff who also mentors the team's rookie quarterback, but that's exactly what Doug Williams has done with Jayden Daniels.

On Saturday night, rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will lead his Washington Commanders in a Divisional Round matchup against the Detroit Lions. It's a tough task, though, as Washington currently sits as an 8.5-point underdog but has been red hot, currently on a six-game winning streak.

The Washington Commanders are big underdogs against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round, but that doesn't mean an upset can't happen.

Jayden Daniels' clutch performance in his NFL playoff debut with the Commanders received praise from the Warriors' Draymond Green.

Detroit made a huge statement in Week 18 with their beatdown of the Minnesota Vikings, but the Commanders have something the Vikings don’t; a mobile quarterback in the form of Jayden Daniels. The Lions have struggled with stopping mobile quarterbacks this season. This could very well carry over into the postseason.

Jayden Daniels thrived where few other rookie QBs do in the NFL playoffs, leading the Commanders to a last-minute win over the Buccaneers.

Four Free Press sports writers have some thoughts on the Detroit Lions' NFL playoffs 2025 opener vs the Washington Commanders.