By Mummy Grace 
The Washington Commanders advanced to the Divisional Round with a thrilling 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wild Card Weekend. This win marked the franchise’s first playoff victory since 2005—also against the Buccaneers—making it a significant milestone for the team.
Preparing for a Tough Test in Detroit
The Commanders now face the formidable Detroit Lions, who finished the regular season 15-2 and are a favorite to reach the Super Bowl. Playing on the road against such a powerhouse is no small task, but rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has proven he thrives under pressure. Fresh off his clutch performance against Tampa Bay, Daniels will be key in Washington’s hopes to upset the top seed.
Commanders’ Injury Report
Heading into this crucial matchup, Washington has released its first injury report of the week. While several players are managing injuries, the team is focused on getting as healthy as possible for Saturday’s game:
- Non-Participants:
- WR Jamison Crowder (hamstring/rest)
- TE Zach Ertz (rib/rest)
- DE Clelin Ferrell (knee/rest)
- OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (rest)
- LB Jordan Magee (hamstring)
- LB Bobby Wagner (ankle)
- Limited Participants:
- K Zane Gonzalez (hip)
- DT Daron Payne (finger)
- TE Ben Sinnott (shoulder)
The team appears to be using extra caution, as many injuries are minor or rest-related. However, getting veterans like Bobby Wagner and Zach Ertz back to full strength could provide a significant boost against a talented Lions squad.
Building Momentum
The Commanders have momentum on their side, but they’ll need to be near-perfect to overcome a Lions team with both offensive firepower and a stout defense. With Jayden Daniels leading the charge, Washington fans have reason to believe in another playoff upset.
Stay tuned with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for ongoing updates and in-depth coverage as Washington prepares for its biggest game of the season.