At first glance, the Detroi Lions’ playoff opener seems promising.

Their opponent, the Washington Commanders, is a relatively inexperienced postseason team with a rookie quarterback, a franchise that has only recently begun to rebuild its identity after two decades of turmoil.

Upon closer inspection, however, the situation becomes more daunting.

The spotlight shines on Jayden Daniels, Washington’s electrifying and agile quarterback, whose highlight reel alone could make any opponent nervous.

The Commanders’ presence in the playoffs is a surprise, much like the Lions’ unexpected rise two years ago.

Riding a wave of fearless energy, the Commanders are led by Daniels, a dual-threat quarterback who has taken the NFL by storm.

His recent performance, guiding Washington to a dramatic 23-20 wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has made him a player to watch.

The Lions and their fans might feel confident about hosting a rookie quarterback at Ford Field on Saturday night, where the atmosphere will undoubtedly be raucous.

Historically, only 11 rookie quarterbacks have won a playoff game, and even fewer—just three—have managed to win two.

However, as is often the case, overconfidence can be dangerous. The Lions, while well-rested after their bye week, are not in perfect condition.

Though they will likely see the return of running back David Montgomery, their defense under Aaron Glenn remains vulnerable, held together by aggressive blitzing and a bit of luck.

While they dominated the Minnesota Vikings 31-9 two weeks ago to secure the NFC’s top seed, the challenge ahead is significantly different.

Unlike Minnesota, a familiar divisional opponent, the Commanders are an unfamiliar threat.

Ranked as the No. 6 seed with a 13-5 record, Washington lacks the prestige of other playoff teams but compensates with unpredictability.

The Lions avoided a rematch with Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams, but facing Washington, an 8.5-point underdog led by the unpredictable Daniels, could be just as challenging.“

He’s a serious threat,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. “Daniels doesn’t play like a rookie quarterback.

He’s poised, he reads the field well, and he can extend plays with his legs. He’s a smart player who knows how to execute their offense, and he has weapons around him.”

Though Washington’s roster isn’t stacked with star players, they are making the most of what they have.

Their second-leading receiver, tight end Zach Ertz, was briefly on the Lions’ practice squad last season. Meanwhile, Daniels has emerged as their most versatile weapon.

He has thrown for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns and rushed for 891 yards, second only to Lamar Jackson among quarterbacks.

Dubbed the “Cardiac Commanders,” Washington has won five games with fourth-quarter comebacks and is currently on a six-game winning streak.

Their latest triumph, a narrow victory over Tampa Bay, showcased Daniels’ ability to stay calm under pressure.

In the final drive, he led a 51-yard march that drained the clock, setting up a game-winning 37-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez, which narrowly bounced off the upright.

“I felt like I was in a commercial where the cup spills, and you’re yelling ‘nooo,’” Washington head coach Dan Quinn said. “When the kick went through, I probably skipped a heartbeat.”

Under new ownership and with a less controversial team name, the Commanders appear to have accelerated their rebuilding process.

Just a year ago, they finished 4-13. Their last playoff appearance was in 2020, and their last postseason win was in 2005, when Daniels was only five years old.

Now, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall draft pick out of LSU is leading the charge, displaying maturity far beyond his years.

The Lions, however, cannot afford to let Washington rewrite the narrative.

The Commanders carry little pressure into this matchup compared to the Lions, who have been living under the weight of Super Bowl expectations all season.

“We’ve been under the spotlight for years,” Campbell said.

“We’ve been through highs and lows, from being a laughingstock to where we are now. This isn’t new for us. It’s time to perform—this is the world we live in.”

The atmosphere at Ford Field will undoubtedly be electric, but the Lions’ key players—Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Montgomery—are used to handling such intensity.

They will need to exploit Washington’s defense, which ranks 30th against the run, to control the game.

The Commanders, much like the Lions, aim to dominate possession and dictate the pace.

They thrive on aggressive fourth-down conversions and rely heavily on Daniels, whose accuracy (69% completion rate) and mobility make him a constant threat.

Against Tampa Bay, he went 3-for-3 for 44 yards on the final drive and converted a crucial third-and-2 with a short run.

Daniels’ ability to remain calm under pressure is striking.

In fact, he posted the league’s third-best passer rating when blitzed, a detail Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will need to address.

If he had a heart rate monitor on, and I did too, they’d show very different readings,” Quinn joked.

“He’s consistently calm, while I’m like a duck—cool on the surface but paddling like crazy underneath. He’s exceptional.”

Daniels embodies that duck analogy—always composed on the outside, even when working tirelessly. The Lions are likely dedicating most of their practice this week to preparing for him, as he is Washington’s primary weapon.

While receiver Terry McLaurin offers some support, the Commanders lack many other standout playmakers.

This assessment might sound dismissive, reminiscent of criticisms once leveled at the Lions.

However, it’s a testament to Washington’s rapid progress. The Lions must disrupt their momentum, and having linebacker Alex Anzalone back from injury is a significant boost.

Anzalone’s strong performance against the Vikings two weeks ago will be critical in containing Daniels.

Historically, the Lions have struggled against mobile quarterbacks, though they have shown improvement. This season, only Buffalo’s Josh Allen truly caused problems, rushing for 68 yards and two touchdowns.

The reality is that mobile quarterbacks challenge nearly every team. It’s a reason why players like Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Jalen Hurts lead playoff-caliber teams.

“People say we don’t handle running quarterbacks well,” Campbell said.

“Well, show me a team that does. We know Daniels will have his moments—it’s part of the game. But that doesn’t mean he’ll win the game.”

Ultimately, the Lions can’t choose their opponent, but they can control their preparation.

Facing the Commanders is a unique test, but the Lions should feel confident in their chances.

With a solid plan and strong execution, the Lions aim to stay on their path and keep their storybook season alive.