On Saturday night, the Detroit Lions will face a fresh challenge as they kick off their playoff journey.

They’ll need to contain standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels for the first time.

While Daniels is new to the Lions, one player on their defense has already gone up against the Washington Commanders’ young star.

Za’Darius Smith faced Daniels in Week 5 while playing for the Cleveland Browns, prior to being traded to Detroit.

On January 15, Smith shared his thoughts on the task of tackling Daniels, offering an intriguing analogy.

“Ever seen a chicken in a chicken coop? That’s what it’s like,” Smith said (via USA Today’s Jarrett Bell).

“I got him once, but I missed him twice.” Daniels’ agility has frustrated defenses throughout the season, helping him set a new record for rushing yards by a rookie quarterback with 891 yards.

Despite his elusiveness, Daniels hasn’t been impossible to bring down, as he’s been sacked 47 times this year.

The Lions, meanwhile, have excelled at pressuring quarterbacks, recording a top-five pressure rate of 26.2%.

However, this effectiveness has only resulted in the tenth-fewest sacks in the league.

To contain the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Lions must convert their pressure into sacks more consistently than they have all season.

Failure to do so will put extra responsibility on the offense to carry the load if the team hopes to advance.