Lions’ Campbell on Commanders in Divisional playoff, Jayden Daniels: He’s dangerous

For the first time, Lions coach Dan Campbell’s opinions on the Commanders, the team’s Divisional playoff opponent, were shared during a news conference on Monday.

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    The Lions play the Commanders in the NFL’s Division Round at 8 p.m. Saturday.
    
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    Rookie QB phenom Jayden Daniels leads Washington and drew praise from Lions Coach Dan Campbell Monday.
    
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    Campbell spoke about the team’s mindset after a pre-season theme of Super Bowl or bust saying the focus is only on Washington.
    

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  The Lions play the Commanders in the NFL’s Division Round at 8 p.m. Saturday.
  
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  Rookie QB phenom Jayden Daniels leads Washington and drew praise from Lions Coach Dan Campbell Monday.
  
• 
  Campbell spoke about the team’s mindset after a pre-season theme of Super Bowl or bust saying the focus is only on Washington.
  

FOX 2.The NFC No. 1 seed bye gave the Lions a well-earned week off, but now it’s time to compete in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

The Washington Commanders, who just defeated the Buccaneers in the Wildcard Round, are the opponent. At 8 p.m. on Saturday, FOX 2 will broadcast the Lions’ game against Washington at Ford Field.

“We’re in the middle of the (playoff) circus right now, and it’s time for us to perform,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated. “That’s how I look at it.”

A Single Game at a Time:

In a season that was characterized from the beginning as “Super Bowl or bust,” Campbell dismissed inquiries about whether making it to the postseason would be sufficient. No one, he said, is thinking ahead just yet.

“Listen, this game is everything at the moment. As I’ve previously stated, I’ve lost my mind at the Super Bowl. It’s foul,” he declared. “This week is crucial; we must figure out a method to win this game. They are aware of the stakes.

Planning a defense against new QB sensation Jayden Daniels is the team’s first priority.

“He is a serious menace and dangerous. “He doesn’t play quarterback like a rookie,” Campbell remarked. “He’s smart, calm, and a deadly runner. Then, he is surrounded by weapons.

“He’s a difference maker.”

In addition to Daniels, veteran first-year coach Dan Quinn has helped the Commanders undergo one of the NFL’s biggest turnarounds this season. Campbell complimented Quinn and said the team’s accomplishments are remarkable.

By playing a new opponent, the Lions avoid (for the time being) a rubber matchup with a division rival such as the Vikings.

Associated with:

“I think there’s a level of excitement,” observed Campbell. “You know each other, you know them, and they know you if you see another team twice. On the other hand, it’s fascinating to meet an opponent you haven’t yet encountered because you don’t really know them well. They don’t fully understand you. Thus, you must now sort of start over.”

Overview:

Campbell was questioned about the Lions’ history of having trouble stopping running quarterbacks.

Two recent instances include the Bills’ 48-42 victory against the Lions, which featured Josh Allen’s 68 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and the Ravens’ 38-6 victory over the Ravens in 2023, despite Lamar Jackson’s 36 yards and one touchdown (with him primarily responsible for the damage passing).

“I am aware that running quarterbacks is challenging. “Defending them is difficult,” Campbell remarked. “It’s like, somebody tells you that, ‘We don’t we don’t handle running quarterbacks very well.” Let me know which team does. When you’re attempting to manage Lamar alongside Josh Allen and someone like him (Daniels). Many teams find it difficult to compete with those people. It’s difficult to stop them. And there’s a rationale behind that.

Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator, will have a strategy, and the players will carry it out, Campbell said. Additionally, he was quick to note that one or two big runs do not necessarily signify the end of the world.

“He might run. “That’s just the nature of the game,” Campbell said, adding that he might pop a runner. “But that that doesn’t mean that you win the game.”

Next steps:

According to Campbell, this week is all about figuring out how to win when the team is aware of the stakes.

Observing and learning from the other teams was one benefit of having the bye.

The coach discussed the playoffs’ little tolerance for error and how minor errors get blown out of proportion.

“I gave the team a quick rundown of each game’s events. You consider the potential costs to the team. whether it’s a circumstance, a penalty, a drop here, or anything else,” he stated. “The playoffs are just that. That one extra play, simply carrying out your duties under pressure.

“You give yourself the best chance if you do it. The other team is going if you don’t.

AT Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on January 12, 2025, Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders tosses a pass during the second half of an NFL football wild card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Source: Data was taken from the news conference held by Lions coach Dan Campbell on Monday.