Tag: Option

The Athletic has live coverage of Commanders vs Lions  in the NFC divisional round playoffs.

ASHBURN, Va. — After the week’s first practice, reporters and cameramen crowded around one of the Washington Commanders wideouts. That’s not uncommon when the receiver is Terry McLaurin.

“Man, I haven’t had interviews and (crowds) like this all year,” Dyami Brown joked on Tuesday.

He’s not wrong, at least with the two-deep throng of media members seeking a sound bite from one of Washington’s wild-card standouts. Based on the divisional-round matchup against the Detroit Lions, there’s a chance Brown is sought out again.

Detroit, the top seed in the NFC and coming off a bye, has one of the most aggressive defenses in the league. Under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, a hot head-coaching candidate this cycle, the Lions played man coverage (41.5 percent of the time) more than all teams and finished third in blitz percentage per dropback (38.4 percent) during the regular season.

That style may cause offenses to hurry. It will also open downfield opportunities for Washington.

“(Glenn is) going to get you,” Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. “You got to just stay within yourself. There’s going to be times that they win, and they get you, and you’re going to have some negative plays. But you’ll have a chance, because they’ll take risks, to hit some big ones, as well.”

That’s why Brown might have his number called again. The fourth-year receiver never developed into a steady route-running threat, and it’s hard to say he’s turned into one now. However, he caught all five targets Sunday night at Tampa Bay for 89 yards and a 10-yard touchdown.

Dyami Brown wide open in the back of the end zone! TD @Commanders!

: #WASvsTB on NBC
: Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ZUyUbswAte

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

The yardage was his highest since Week 5 of the 2022 season, and the five targets matched a season best. With 23 of his 45 total targets this season coming in the past five games, there’s an apparent uptick in involvement following Noah Brown’s season-ending kidney injury. Others could be this week’s surprise help — Olamide Zaccheaus and Jamison Crowder have produced during this six-game winning streak, too — but Brown is delivering.

“They’ve all stepped up when their number’s been called,” Kingsbury said, adding Brown’s “attitude and approach have gotten more business-like and more professional throughout this season, and it’s paying off. To have a game like that in that environment was really cool to see.”

Brown credits preparation and belief from Kingsbury and his teammates for this late-season boost. “That’s a pretty big thing for me,” Brown said. “I can trust myself because I prepared for the moment.”

Kingsbury’s homework includes finding ways to get McLaurin involved in the first half. Washington is 7-0 when the two-time Pro Bowler generates at least 35 yards before halftime. Six times, he entered the second half with fewer than 10 yards. The Commanders also have won all seven games in which McLaurin finished with at least eight targets.

“The sideline erupts when he gets going,” Kingsbury said.

Another agenda item is Kingsbury finding ways to attack and manipulate Detroit’s playmaking safety tandem of Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch, and first-round rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold. There are also reminders to avoid becoming an “emotional play caller,” even if the Lions’ pressure causes havoc or the league’s top-scoring offense (33.2 points per game) flexes its big-play muscle.

Statistical similarities between the Lions and Buccaneers should help with mental preparation. Detroit’s 37.1 pressure rate ranks sixth, one spot behind Tampa Bay. The Lions allowed 71 plays of 20-plus yards, fourth most in the league and eight more than the Buccaneers. However, Detroit’s lengthy list of injuries has hampered the defensive output.

The Lions allowed 27 receptions of 20-plus yards over the final five weeks of the regular season, the most in the NFL. They also surrendered the second-most passing yards (285.2) and ranked 28th in yards per carry (4.9) over that stretch.

Kingsbury knows Washington must keep feeding its running backs, even though the traditional ground game has been in a month-long slump. Starter Brian Robinson Jr. has 110 yards on 38 carries (2.9 yards per rush) in the Commanders’ last four games. Austin Ekeler provides a perimeter and dual-threat skill set. Coach Dan Quinn reminds Kingsbury to remain consistent with run calls.

“It’s helped me having a defensive head coach. (Quinn) let’s it be known we need to run the football at times,” Kingsbury said. “In my previous life, (I’d) be airing it out.”

That will happen, as well. McLaurin is the primary target, but Brown has quietly emerged from the crowd as a viable option.

GO DEEPER

Commanders’ fourth-down effectiveness could be pivotal vs. aggressive Lions

Zane Gonzalez opens up

Zane Gonzalez’s lifelong challenge with obsessive-compulsive disorder was on display for Sunday’s nationally televised audience.

The kicker prepped for his career’s most significant field goal attempt. Make the boot from 37 yards, and the Commanders advance past the Buccaneers and into the divisional round of the NFC playoffs for a meeting Saturday night in Detroit. But in that pressure-packed moment, Gonzalez’s tics became a focus for many watching.

He repeatedly removed his cleats on the sideline to adjust his socks. With three seconds remaining in a tie game, he would walk toward his kicking spot and start putting on his helmet, only to stop and scrape his hair. This happened several times, never by choice.

The attempt from Washington’s fourth regular-season kicker and seventh since the offseason went through after a doink detour off the right upright. Game-winning field goals aren’t an everyday occurrence, banked or otherwise. Dealing with OCD, on the other hand, never ends.

“It’s something I’ve done my whole career,” Gonzalez said. “It’s just something I’ve always done.”

Social media commenters and TV analysts unfamiliar with his story weren’t sure what to make of Gonzalez’s pre-kick routine. They weren’t watching him get upset as a kid because he couldn’t complete his homework. Writing a single letter might take hours.

Gonzalez’s parents would attempt to take his mind off whatever was getting in his way. His father took him out for walks or to play soccer. The attempted distractions didn’t stick for long.

“It was pretty much crippling me at that time,” Gonzalez said following Thursday’s practice.

Explaining his condition to others was its own headache.

“It’s hard to describe the mindset that’s going on in the OCD,” Gonzalez said. “Whenever one of those situations comes up, whatever it may be, you think the worst possible situation will come of it. It could be the most unrealistic, crazy, unimaginable thing, and people will be like, ‘You’re crazy for thinking that stuff.’”

For Zane Gonzalez, it doesn’t matter how you get ready…just as long as you’re ready. pic.twitter.com/oTkxuFQvSj

— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 13, 2025

Gonzalez doesn’t need that feedback. He’s aware, but “that tic is constantly kneading at you. It’s never-ending.”

He doesn’t share any of this for pity. Making it to the NFL is quite an accomplishment. The 2017 seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Browns has bounced around, playing regular-season games for four teams. Gonzalez joined Washington’s practice squad in early November and, with Austin Seibert injured, made his Commanders debut in the Nov. 10 one-point home loss to Pittsburgh.

Gonzalez made all 19 of his extra points and 5 of 7 field goals in the regular season. Then came the playoff kick in Tampa. Gonzalez will be ready for his next chance in Detroit despite an early-week hip issue.

He says his anxiety has improved since he was a child and that, as a grown-up, he can “handle it a lot better.” That doesn’t mean he didn’t reset his alarm “about 100 times” Thursday night.

Gonzalez avoids social media, but his wife, Lizzy, shares some of the conversation. They laughed about the post-kick comments. It’s not like his brother and sister didn’t tease him growing up.

“You’ve got to have humility. If not, you’ll drive yourself crazy,” Gonzalez said. “(Lizzy) has seen me at the practice field doing the same stuff. For us, it’s just funny that this was on such a big stage and how it all unfolded.”

Bobby Wagner ready to roll

Eleven-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner isn’t letting an ankle injury or annoyance keep him off the field in Detroit. After sitting out the first two days this week, Wagner returned to practice Thursday on a limited basis.

“I’m good,” the 13-year veteran said when asked how he felt. He was too savvy to offer any more when pressed.

“It’s life,” Wagner responded to the first follow-up question. Two more followed before the voluminous tackler closed the door, respectfully.

“I’m not going to talk about the injury or anything. The Detroit Lions are watching,” Wagner said. “See you guys Saturday.”

With that guarantee, Washington’s injury situation is excellent for Saturday’s massive game with an appearance in the NFC Championship Game at stake. No starter or high-rotation player was on the team’s final injury report. Quinn previously ruled out linebacker Jordan Magee with a hamstring injury. Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) is no longer on Detroit’s injury report.

(Photo: Peter Joneleit / Associated Press)