The Washington Commanders have surged ahead of the Detroit Lions in their NFC divisional playoff matchup, courtesy of a punishing 2-yard touchdown run by rookie sensation Brian Robinson. The bruising back’s second quarter score has staked the Commanders to a 10-7 lead as they aim to advance to the conference championship game.
Robinson Caps Methodical Drive
Trailing 7-3 early in the second quarter, the Commanders embarked on a balanced scoring march that covered 72 yards in 11 plays. The drive was highlighted by a critical fourth-and-3 conversion, with quarterback Jayden Daniels finding veteran tight end Zach Ertz to move the chains and set Washington up in the red zone.
From there, it was the Brian Robinson show, as the powerful rookie runner did the heavy lifting to get the Commanders into the end zone. After being stuffed for a 1-yard loss on first-and-goal from the 3, Robinson would not be denied on the very next play:
Brian Robinson Jr. gives the @Commanders the lead!
– NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025
Lining up offset to the right of Daniels in the shotgun, Robinson took the handoff and charged ahead, benefiting from textbook blocks by right guard Sam Cosmi and right tackle Andrew Wylie. Tight end John Bates sealed the edge, giving Robinson a crease to power through for the go-ahead score.
Finding a Playoff Rhythm
Robinson’s touchdown, his first since a Dec. 1 win over the Titans, couldn’t have come at a better time for a Washington ground game that had struggled to find consistency down the stretch. In two of his final three regular season contests, the former Alabama star was held under 25 rushing yards.
But on the playoffs’ biggest stage, Robinson is beginning to recapture the form that made him one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season. His scoring run capped a productive first half that saw him rack up 35 yards on the ground, providing a physical complement to Daniels and the Commanders’ aerial attack.
Keeping the Lions at Bay
Robinson’s go-ahead score also marked a crucial response after the Lions had taken an early 7-3 lead on running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ 1-yard touchdown plunge. With two of the NFL’s most explosive offenses squaring off, the Commanders will need their workhorse back to continue wearing down the Detroit defense and controlling the clock.
A berth in the NFC title game hangs in the balance, and Brian Robinson has put the Commanders on his broad shoulders, muscling them to a 10-7 halftime edge. If the rookie can keep the chains and the scoreboard moving, Washington just might find itself on the doorstep of an improbable Super Bowl run.
- Brian Robinson’s dominant playoff debut a promising sign for Commanders
- Jayden Daniels, Washington offense finding balance at perfect time
- Lions face uphill climb vs. resurgent Commanders rushing attack
An epic showdown between two of the NFC’s most dynamic young teams has lived up to its billing so far, with Robinson’s emphatic touchdown run putting the Commanders in the driver’s seat. Can they finish the job and punch their ticket to the conference championship? The second half in Detroit promises to be a gripping race to the finish.
