Daron Payne and 4 Commanders on the hot seat in NFC Divisional Round at Lions

The Washington Commanders have a huge challenge ahead of them. They've done remarkably well to reach the Divisional Round stage. Beating the Detroit Lions on the road is a different test entirely.

Detroit is among the Super Bowl favorites for good reason. They are the No. 1 seed in the NFC and have a tremendous locker room culture spearheaded by head coach Dan Campbell. Considering the Lions could be losing Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to head coaching positions during this hiring cycle, there is real urgency to maximize this window of opportunity.

The Commanders are heavy underdogs with sportsbooks, which isn't surprising. Their backs are against the wall and almost nobody is giving them a chance to reach the NFC Conference championship game. However, head coach Dan Quinn installed a level of belief and professionalism in this squad that guarantees they are never out of the fight.

And with rookie sensation Jayden Daniels under center, the Commanders have a legitimate closer capable of coming through when the lights are brightest.

This is going to take a collective effort. The Commanders have no room for passengers versus this formidable adversary. Everyone must perform up to or above the level expected. There is no next time — this is win-or-go-home in a hostile environment.

With this in mind, here are five Commanders players on the hot seat at the Lions. We'll begin with defensive tackle Daron Payne.

Commanders players on the hot seat entering Divisional Round at the Lions

Daron Payne - Commanders DT

The Washington Commanders got a stroke of good fortune on the injury front with the news that prolific Detroit Lions interior offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler won't feature. Rookie Christian Mahogany is expected to take his place, which represents a potential weak link the defensive line interior must exploit.

Daron Payne comes under the microscope. The former first-round pick has to play well in this one. Much will depend on how much he'll be able to do after suffering a gruesome dislocated finger at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but if he's on the field, he'll be expected to contribute.

Payne has underachieved considering his price tag and expectations before the campaign. He was playing well at Raymond James Stadium before getting hurt, which is positive. But holding firm against the Lions' devastating rushing tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs is easier said than done.

The Commanders need Payne to become the dominant force that saw him make the Pro Bowl in 2022. Anything less is going to come with grave consequences attached.

Dorance Armstrong Jr. - Commanders DE

Generating pressure on Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff might be difficult. The pre-snap motion is creative and can confuse opposing defenses. The veteran signal-caller gets the football out quickly into the hands of his primary playmakers. Ben Johnson's rushing attack makes play-action a serious obstacle to overcome.

That's without counting for the Lions' offensive line. They are outstanding with Pro Bowlers and All-Pros everywhere you look. This is no more evident than at the tackle positions with Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker.

Sewell and Decker are among the league's most productive tackle tandems. They are aggressive, athletic, and accomplished. That's a dangerous combination that the Washington Commanders must find a way to counteract.

Considering how Sewell is dominating everyone unfortunate enough to meet him at the line of scrimmage, attacking Decker might be the best route forward. Dorance Armstrong Jr., in particular, needs a big-time performance in the Divisional Round pressure cooker.

Armstrong's been solid if not spectacular this season. His pass-rushing is sufficient with six sacks and 46 pressures throughout the campaign. The player hasn't excelled against the run, which could be something the Lions look to exploit in this one.

Dan Quinn thought enough of Armstrong to bring him along for this unbelievable ride. There would be no better time to repay this faith.

Brian Robinson Jr. - Commanders RB

The margin for error with Brian Robinson Jr. is slimmer than most. His production has dipped significantly in recent weeks. He's gone from a potential long-term focal point to someone who could potentially be replaced if a better option can be found during the offseason.

Robinson is talented, there's no debate about that. His performance levels over the first half of 2024 were immensely encouraging. Things have dipped since then, and his carries diminished significantly due to this downturn in consistency.

This has a lot to do with the offensive line's run blocking taking a step back. However, that does not detract from the need Robinson has to show out on primetime and keep the clock ticking over at the Detroit Lions.

Detroit's run defense gave up just 98.4 rushing yards per game during the regular season, which was fourth-best around the league. Kliff Kingsbury cannot go away from the ground game. That puts the onus on the former third-round selection out of Alabama to set the tone and take some pressure off rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

It wouldn't be a big shock to see veteran Austin Ekeler get more involved. He's got the savviness and big-game experience to remain calm amid the chaos. Robinson has a role to play — just how big will be determined by his early contribution.

Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL

The Detroit Lions defense is banged up. They are missing some key personnel, although there is hope that stud edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson can get back if they reach the Super Bowl. That provides optimism for the Washington Commanders, but they cannot be underestimated.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is a master at his craft. He's maximized the weapons at his disposal to ensure minimal momentum was lost. The game plan devised to make Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold's life awkward in Week 18 enhanced his head coaching credentials considerably.

He's also got some beef on the defensive front that must be thwarted effectively. D.J. Reader is a brute force — the catalyst behind Detroit's top-five run defense. He'll be lining up more often than not against left guard Nick Allegretti, who must rise to the occasion.

Allegretti has experience in big-game environments such as this. He was thrown into the fire with the Kansas City Chiefs for last year's AFC Conference championship game when Joe Thuney went down. His accomplished production over the final two games helped Andy Reid's men go back-to-back.

The former Illinois standout needs to hold firm versus Reader at the point of attack. He'll need help on occasion, but he cannot flounder in the middle with rookie third-rounder Brandon Coleman on the blindside.

Mike Sainristil - Commanders CB

Marshon Lattimore should be better for another game and a full week of practice under his belt. But the veteran shutdown cornerback might not be at 100 percent as he continues to tackle a complicated hamstring issue.

This means Mike Sainristil will once again be tasked with significant responsibilities. The rookie second-round has been a revelation for the Commanders this season, providing assured coverage and coping extremely well with his transition from the slot to the boundary. That was a lot to ask of the first-year pro, but he's taken on the challenge and thrived.

When Lattimore struggled mightily against wide receiver Mike Evans in the first half last weekend, it forced Washington to adjust. The four-time Pro Bowler got more help over the top. The Commanders utilized Sainristil on him more frequently with great success.

This is a testament to Sainristil's mindset, accomplished credentials, and willingness to take on the league's best despite his lack of experience. He'll need all this and more at the Detroit Lions.

Detroit's offense is exceptional. Their prolific running back tandem sets the tone. Their offensive line is outstanding, bookended by offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker. Jared Goff is an efficient quarterback with the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams capable of turning short gains into significant yards. Tight end Sam LaPorta is an assured option over the middle and a supreme red-zone threat.

Sainristil — the entire secondary for that matter — need to be at the top of their game. Otherwise, this isn't going to end well for Washington.

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