NFL X factors: NFC divisional playoffs

Lions fans couldn’t be happier with the team’s second year running back, who finished the regular season with 668 more total yards and nine more touchdowns than he had as a rookie.

Of course, Washington head coach Dan Quinn held Gibbs to 2.9 yards per carry for 43 yards as defensive coordinator of the Cowboys late last season. Fortunately the 22-year-old running back ended the regular season with three-straight 100-yard games and already has three playoff games (two wins) under his belt.

Washington Commanders | Jayden Daniels | QB

Detroit’s offense has looked unstoppable at times, scoring league-high 33.2 points per game in the regular season. But the team’s defense gave up a healthy 342.4 yards per contest, 14.5 more than Washington. 

Stopping the league’s second-leading passer (Jared Goff), fifth-leading rusher (Jahmyr Gibbs) and fifth-leading receiver (Amon-Ra St. Brown) won’t be easy, which means the Commanders will need touchdowns, not field goals, when they face the Lions on Saturday night.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024, tied with Green Bay’s Jordan Love for 10th-most in the league. He also had a pair of touchdowns against the Buccaneers in his first playoff start.

With little outside of Terry McLaurin at wide receiver and a combined 43 yards from running backs Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. in last week’s wild-card game, Daniels’ dual-threat abilities should be on full display at Detroit’s Ford Field.

Los Angeles Rams | Matt Stafford | QB

Sunday’s forecast calls for a mix of rain and snow with near-freezing temperatures in Philadelphia on Sunday, but Stafford should be fine after spending the first 12 years of his career in the NFC North.

The Eagles intercepted Green Bay’s Jordan Love three times in last week’s wild-card game, but Stafford has only one interception in his last eight games.

Per stamuse.com, Stafford is 4-3 against Philadelphia in his career with a 2-1 record at Lincoln Financial Field. If he can complete 70% of his passes like he did against the Vikings, the Rams can make it to next week’s NFC Championship Game.

Philadelphia Eagles | Oren Burks | LB

Saquon Barkley rushed for a franchise-record 255 yards in a 37-22 victory over the Rams in Week 12, but this week’s game could come down to a little-used linebacker known primarily for special teams.

Nakobe Dean made six tackles, three solo and two for a loss before leaving last week’s wild-card game against the Packers with a season-ending knee injury. He was replaced by Burks, who made four solo tackles of his own.

Burks played just 14 percent of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps during the regular season (71 percent on special teams). He had two solo tackles with a pass defended against L.A. in November and should be counted on heavily this weekend.