Lions’ Defense Prepares to Contain Commanders’ Star Rookie Jayden Daniels

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions are gearing up to face one of the NFL‘s most electrifying rookies, Jayden Daniels, as they prepare for their NFC divisional playoff game against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night at Ford Field.

Daniels, the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year, has been a revelation for the Commanders, leading them to a 12-5 record and a playoff berth. The 24-year-old quarterback set an NFL rookie record with a 69.0% completion rate, throwing for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 891 yards, the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

“You got to shrink the pocket,” said Lions safety Brian Branch, who faced Daniels in college. “Jayden Daniels is an exceptional quarterback. He kind of reminds me of [Lamar Jackson]. Just how he moves and stuff, but to me, that’s really the game plan. Just shrinking the pocket on him and making him make those throws.”

The Lions’ defense, which finished the regular season with a 15-2 record, has been a cornerstone of their success. Branch, a key player in the secondary, recorded 109 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four interceptions, and 16 passes defensed this season. He became the only defensive back since 2010 to achieve 100-plus tackles, 15-plus passes defensed, and five-plus tackles for loss in a single season.

Detroit’s defense will need to be at its best to contain Daniels, who has shown an uncanny ability to escape pressure and extend plays. Veteran defensive end Za’Darius Smith, who faced Daniels earlier this season while with the Cleveland Browns, likened the challenge to “chasing a chicken in a chicken coop.”

“I got him once, but I missed him twice,” Smith recalled. “The older I get, the younger the quarterbacks get.”

The Lions are determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s NFC Championship Game collapse against the San Francisco 49ers. Branch emphasized the team’s focus and unity, saying, “The vibes are immaculate. I feel like everybody is on the same page here. We are hungry more than ever.”

Despite being heavy favorites, the Lions are wary of the hype surrounding their team. Branch cited former Alabama coach Nick Saban‘s mantra, calling external praise “rat poison.”

“We don’t really pay attention to the outside noise,” Branch said. “We know what we are capable of doing. We just want to prove it to ourselves.”

Saturday’s game, set for 8 p.m. ET on Fox, will be a test of Detroit’s ability to contain one of the league’s most dynamic young talents. The Lions’ defense, led by Branch and Smith, will need to execute their game plan to perfection to advance to the NFC Championship Game.