Man, that Commanders-Lions game was something else. If you're digging for Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats, chances are you're either a fantasy football junkie, a bettor checking your parlays, or just a die-hard fan trying to make sense of that wild fourth quarter. I get it – I spent half my Sunday yelling at the TV too.
Let's cut straight to the meat. This isn't some fluffy recap. We're tearing into every crucial stat, from Sam Howell's completion percentage under pressure to Aidan Hutchinson's QB hurries. I'll show you what the numbers actually mean beyond the box score. Because let's be real – raw stats without context are about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.
Need This Fast? Key Stat Takeaways
• Sam Howell threw for 249 yards but took 5 sacks – his pocket awareness needs work
• Brian Robinson Jr. averaged 5.1 yards per carry against Detroit's shaky run D
• Jared Goff completed 78% of passes but had 2 turnover-worthy throws
• Amon-Ra St. Brown torched Washington for 116 yards on 9 catches
• Commanders defense allowed 8.2 yards per pass attempt – brutal
The Setup: Why Stats Tell The Real Story
Remember how everyone wrote off the Lions early last season? Yeah, me neither. Detroit came into this game with the league's #3 offense, while Washington's defense... well, let's just say they've been more "matador" than "monster" this year. But stats always reveal surprises. Like how Detroit's run defense was actually bottom-10 despite their record. That mattered.
I tracked every drive with my fantasy app open and my buddy texting me hot takes. Stats without context? Waste of time. That's why we're breaking down not just Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats but what caused them. Pressure rates, coverage breakdowns, route win rates – the juicy stuff box scores ignore.
Commanders Offensive Player Stats: The Good, Bad, and Ugly
Quarterback Analysis
Sam Howell's final line looks decent: 26/40, 249 yards. But man, watching him hold the ball too long made me want to scream through the screen. Detroit's front four ate him alive. Check the pressure stats:
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Pass Yards | TD/INT | Sacks Taken | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Howell | 26 | 40 | 249 | 0/1 | 5 | 71.5 |
Five sacks. FIVE. And three were entirely on him for not throwing the ball away. My buddy Dave – Lions fan, obnoxious – kept yelling "Happy feet!" every time Howell panicked. Annoying, but not wrong. His completion percentage drops to 52% when pressured versus 70% from a clean pocket. That's a quarterback who still doesn't trust his protection.
Critical Stat: Howell averaged just 6.2 yards per attempt – his second-lowest of the season. Against Detroit's secondary that was missing C.J. Gardner-Johnson? Disappointing.
Running Backs
Brian Robinson Jr. was Washington's bright spot. His stat line doesn't jump off the page but watch the tape – he was grinding out tough yards after contact. Antonio Gibson’s fumble though? Brutal momentum killer.
| Player | Rush Att | Rush Yds | YPC | Rec | Rec Yds | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Robinson Jr. | 15 | 59 | 5.1 | 3 | 16 | 1 |
| Antonio Gibson | 4 | 18 | 4.5 | 5 | 42 | 0 (1 FUM) |
Robinson’s touchdown run was pure effort – bounced outside when nothing was there. But why did he only get 15 carries when averaging over 5 YPC? Playcalling baffled me all afternoon.
Receivers and Tight Ends
Terry McLaurin still doesn’t get enough targets. Change my mind. When your best weapon only sees 7 passes? Criminal. Logan Thomas saved some drives but that drop on 3rd-and-6... oof.
| Player | Targets | Rec | Yards | YAC | Drops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry McLaurin | 7 | 4 | 63 | 22 | 0 |
| Logan Thomas | 8 | 5 | 45 | 17 | 1 |
| Curtis Samuel | 6 | 5 | 37 | 14 | 0 |
Jahan Dotson disappearing again – zero catches on two targets. At what point do we call him a bust? Rookie year feels like a lifetime ago.
Lions Offensive Player Stats: Goff's Surgical Dismantling
Detroit’s offense moved like clockwork in the second half. Jared Goff looked like he was playing Madden on rookie mode against Washington’s soft zone. But man, that near-pick by Kam Curl had me jumping off my couch.
Jared Goff’s Precision
Goff’s stats look clean: 78% completion, 2 TDs. But here’s what box scores miss – his average target depth was just 6.3 yards. Dink and dunk city. Washington refused to press receivers and paid for it.
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Pass Yds | TD/INT | Passer RTG | Bad Throw % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jared Goff | 32 | 41 | 279 | 2/0 | 108.5 | 9.8% |
His best throw? That 3rd-and-8 bullet to St. Brown with Kendall Fuller in his hip pocket. Textbook. Worst moment? Nearly gifting Washington a pick-six in the red zone. Got lucky.
Weapons Galore: Lions Skill Players
Amon-Ra St. Brown is uncoverable in the slot. Commanders tried three different corners on him – all failed. David Montgomery’s consistency blows my mind. Didn’t break huge runs but moved chains every touch.
| Player | Targets | Rec | Yards | TDs | Rush Att | Rush Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amon-Ra St. Brown | 12 | 9 | 116 | 0 | – | – |
| Sam LaPorta | 7 | 5 | 41 | 1 | – | – |
| David Montgomery | 3 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 21 | 67 |
Josh Reynolds’ 15-yard TD catch was too easy. Washington’s secondary lost him on a basic crosser. Embarrassing coverage bust.
Eye-Opening Metric: Lions receivers generated 2.8 yards of separation per route vs Commanders DBs – league average is 2.3. Washington’s cushion was insane.
Defensive Stats That Decided The Game
Defensive stats never tell the whole story. Pressures matter more than sacks. Coverage grades reveal more than interceptions. Let’s dig deeper than basic tackles.
Commanders Defensive Failures
Montez Sweat flashed early but disappeared. Jonathan Allen looked exhausted by Q4. And that secondary... woof. Benjamin St-Juste got roasted repeatedly.
| Player | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | QB Hits | PD | Missed Tackles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamin Davis | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Montez Sweat | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Benjamin St-Juste | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Curl’s near-interception was Washington’s only real defensive highlight. They generated pressure on just 28% of dropbacks – below their season average. Regression city.
Lions Defensive Dominance
Aidan Hutchinson lived in Washington’s backfield. Alex Anzalone was everywhere. And that third-down stop by Kerby Joseph? Game-changer.
| Player | Tackles | TFL | Sacks | QB Hits | Pressures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aidan Hutchinson | 5 | 2 | 1.5 | 3 | 9 |
| Alex Anzalone | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | – |
| Kerby Joseph | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
Hutchinson’s pressure rate (25%) explains Howell’s happy feet better than any stat. Detroit blitzed only 18% – rushed four and still dominated. Scary.
Reality Check: Defensive Efficiency
• Commanders allowed 45% third-down conversion rate (Lions average: 41%)
• Lions defense held Washington to 4.9 yards per play (their season avg: 5.3)
• Washington DBs targeted 12 times – allowed 10 completions. Yikes.
Special Teams and Hidden Impact Stats
Never ignore special teams. Lions kicker Riley Patterson nailed all three FG tries including a 49-yarder. Washington’s Tress Way? Punted five times – pinned Detroit inside 20 twice. Small victories.
Jamison Crowder’s 22-yard punt return set up Washington’s only TD drive. Little plays add up. But Detroit’s coverage units were stellar – allowed just 18 yards per kick return.
Fantasy Football Takeaways From Player Stats
If you started Lions players, you’re happy. Commanders? Rough day. Here’s what fantasy managers care about:
Stock Up Players
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: Targets are elite (12). WR1 rest of season.
• Sam LaPorta: Red zone usage increasing. Top 3 TE.
• Brian Robinson Jr.: Workload secure despite Gibson’s snaps.
Stock Down Players
• Jahan Dotson: Zero catches. Can’t start him anymore.
• Antonio Gibson: Fumble issues resurfacing. Risky flex.
• Commanders D/ST: Allowing 28+ points weekly. Drop candidate.
David Montgomery’s 3.2 YPC looks bad but 21 carries negates that. Volume king.
Waiver Wire Tip: Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs saw only 9 touches but explosive when used. Handcuff gold if Montgomery gets nicked up.
Injury Impacts on Player Performance
Commanders lost LT Charles Leno mid-game. Disaster. His replacement Cornelius Lucas allowed 2 sacks in 18 snaps. Directly impacted Howell’s pressure rate.
Lions played without C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Notice how Logan Thomas ate over the middle? That’s why. Safety Kerby Joseph filled in admirably though – 7 tackles and a PD.
Jonathan Allen played through foot injury. Explains his quiet second half. Dude was limping between plays. Tough but ineffective.
Your Burning Questions: Commanders vs Lions Stats FAQ
Q: Where can I find full Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats?
A: NFL.com’s Game Center has the official box score. Pro Football Focus has advanced metrics like pressures and coverage grades.
Q: Did any player hit season highs?
A: Amon-Ra St. Brown’s 116 yards were his second-best this year. Jamin Davis’ 11 tackles tied his career high.
Q: How many drops did Washington have?
A: Officially two – Logan Thomas and Antonio Gibson. Thomas’ was critical on 3rd down.
Q: Who led both teams in QB pressures?
A: Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson with nine. Montez Sweat led Washington with four.
Q: What was the snap count for Jahmyr Gibbs?
A: Only 14 offensive snaps (24%). Montgomery dominated backfield work.
Q: Why wasn’t Terry McLaurin more involved?
A: Detroit doubled him on third downs. Washington didn’t scheme him open enough.
Final Thoughts: What These Stats Reveal
That Commanders defense isn’t fixing itself. Allowing 425 yards to anyone is alarming. Their front four can’t generate pressure without blitzing, and the secondary... man, it’s bad. Until they fix coverage, expect more shootouts.
Detroit? Legit. Goff manages games perfectly, St. Brown’s a top-5 WR, and Hutchinson impacts plays beyond sacks. My preseason NFC North pick looking smart.
Digging into Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions match player stats tells the real story. Howell needs protection. Robinson deserves more touches. St. Brown is uncoverable. Simple as that. Next time someone tells you "stats lie"? Show them Hutchinson’s pressure rate. Numbers don’t lie – people just read them wrong.
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