If you live in the Washington, D.C. area (DMV), you know that any talk of snow causes panic in the city and its surrounding areas.
You will witness some craziest driving habits, especially those with Maryland license plates. If you go into the grocery store, milk, toilet paper, and bread are brought up like we’re on the cusp of a zombie apocalypse.
Things felt different as I headed to College Park, MD, to cover the Maryland-Nebraska game.
The roads weren’t full of crazies. Starbucks was buzzing at a good pace even though they made the wrong drink for me. The grocery stores were still panicky, but you can’t have everything.
The Washington Commanders did something that few entities can do. They put the DMV in such a good mood that talk of wintry weather and road closures because of the inauguration was deemed inconsequential.
After a 45-31 win over the top-seed Detroit Lions, the Commanders will play in the NFC Championship game.
On offense, it started with a running game that hasn’t been running back-led in some time. Brian Robinson Jr. returned to his physical running style and finished with 77 yards on 15 carries. Austin Ekeler got into the act with 47 yards rushing, including a big 35-yard run. Then, of course, there was Jayden Daniels’ 51 yards.
Daniels was his usual efficient self in the passing game, finishing with 299 yards passing and two touchdowns.
Last season, Dan Campbell was highlighted for going for it on fourth downs where other coaches wouldn’t dare. Well, Dan Quinn is his match. Quinn has been aggressive on fourth down all season, and that didn’t change in Detroit. The Commanders were 3-4 on fourth downs, with each conversion seemingly taking something out of Detroit’s machismo.
The main question coming into the game was about the defense. How would it hold up against the Lions’ explosive offense?
The defense didn’t shut down the Lion’s offense but forced five turnovers.
Detroit threw four interceptions, three by Jared Goff and one by Jameson Williams. Goff also lost a fumble.
It wasn’t just the number of turnovers. It was when and where they happened.
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- Goff fumbled on Washington’s 17-yard line.
- Goff throws a pick-six to Quan Martin
- Goff throws an interception to Mike Sainristil on Washington’s 29-yard line
- Campbell’s trick play goes awry, and Williams throws an interception. The Lions were on their own 46.
- After Washington missed a field goal, Goff threw an interception (Jeremy Chinn) on Washington’s 17.
Jahmyr Gibbs gashed the much-maligned defensive unit all night. Gibbs had 105 yards on 14 carries. How could he not have more than 14 carries?
It’s something Campbell will have to live with all offseason.
The DMV woke up this morning and pinched themselves. Could this be real? It seems like 15 minutes ago, Daniel Snyder was in charge, and this franchise had more scandals than wins.
Led by the Harris Group, the Commanders are one win away from the Super Bowl. One win away with a rookie quarterback. One win away from a coach the Dallas Cowboys inexplicably let get out of the door.
The Joe Gibbs era was the last time this franchise commanded so much respect.
