NFL Week 10: Detroit Lions Keys To The Game Vs. Washington Commanders
The mission is clear: erase the memory of last January!
The Detroit Lions (5–3) and Washington Commanders (3-6) renew hostilities in Week 10. The last time these two teams met was the divisional round 2024 playoffs where a heavily battered Lions defense couldn’t withstand Washington’s offensive surge. The game was lopsided ending Detroit’s playoff run in disappointment. That sting still lingers for the Lions, especially the fans, even as the roster and circumstances have shifted this is a must win game.
This time, the Lions arrive with a healthier, more disciplined defense and a chance to prove they’ve grown from that setback. Washington, meanwhile, is forced to lean on veteran Marcus Mariota with Jayden Daniels sidelined with an elbow injury. Mariota is not an easy target, his veteran presence, mobility and poise should be respected, if not he can rip the battered Lions’ secondary into pieces.
For Jared Goff and the Lions, the mission is clear: erase the memory of last January by controlling the line of scrimmage, fixing their third‑down woes, and rediscovering the play‑action rhythm that once defined their offense. John Morton is on the hot seat with this fanbase and may be coaching for his job against Washington. If Detroit wants to stay firmly in the NFC playoff race, they’ll need to execute the Rock's Locks keys to the game.
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The State of the Lions Offense
The Detroit Lions entered this season with the reputation of being one of the most balanced and creative offenses in football. Built on a foundation of a powerful run game, rhythm passing from Jared Goff, and explosive play‑action concepts, the unit was expected to carry Detroit through the NFC race. But cracks have shown, and they were glaring in last week’s loss to Minnesota.
Goff was sacked five times, hit 11 times, and the run game never found traction. Offensive coordinator John Morton admitted the obvious in his press conference: “If you don’t have sound protection so the quarterback can throw the ball, it doesn’t matter.” That statement sums up the current problem — the offense is losing its rhythm before plays even have a chance to develop.
What’s troubling is that these issues aren’t isolated. They’ve lingered week after week, creating a version of the Lions offense that feels apathetic compared to the explosive, creative unit fans grew accustomed to under Ben Johnson. Morton’s system has been less aggressive, less inventive, and too conservative.
Where The Offense Has Failed:
Protection breakdowns: Interior line injuries have left Goff exposed, forcing hurried throws and killing timing.
Conservative play‑calling: Too many second‑down runs into stacked boxes, leading to 3rd‑and‑long situations. Detroit ranks just 25th in third‑down conversion (36.3%).
Vertical inefficiency: Goff has targeted vertical routes more often this year (14.2% of attempts, his highest rate as a Lion), but his 44.1% completion rate is his second‑lowest in five seasons.
Play‑action decline: Usage has dropped from last season, robbing the offense of its best tool for explosive plays.
The result has been an offense that looks predictable and less dangerous. Timing with receivers has suffered, especially with Jameson Williams on deep routes. The run game, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, has been inconsistent — Gibbs managed just 25 yards on nine carries last week. Without the run game setting the table, play‑action has lost its bite.
What Needs To Change:
Recommit to play‑action from under center.
Passing more on 2nd‑and‑7+ to avoid predictable runs into stacked boxes leaving the Lions in 3rd & long situations.
Use max‑protection concepts to give Goff clean pockets for selective deep shots.
Feature Gibbs more on perimeter runs and angle routes.
Lean on LaPorta as the safety valve in the middle of the field.
Max‑protection deep shots to Jameson Williams to punish Washington’s depleted corners.
Morton must call this game differently. He needs to marry max‑protection with play‑action, give Goff clean pockets, and take selective deep shots. Motion and condensed formations can stress Washington’s coverage rules. Passing more on 2nd‑and‑long can keep drives alive and open the playbook on 3rd down. If Detroit can do this, they’ll flip their biggest weakness — vertical inefficiency — into their biggest weapon.
The stakes are clear. If the Lions once again look flat and conservative against a defense this vulnerable, questions about Morton’s future will grow louder. Dan Campbell has built this team on aggression and creativity. If Morton’s offense continues to undercut that identity, Campbell may have no choice but to move on.
Keys To The Game
Key #1: Exploit Secondary Attrition
Washington’s secondary is in shambles without Lattimore. They rank 29th against the pass, and last week Sam Darnold shredded them for 330 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Detroit’s weapons:
St. Brown on option routes vs nickel defenders.
LaPorta on seams and crossers against Wagner.
Williams on vertical shots off play‑action.
If protection holds, Goff can pick apart this defense.
Key #2: Unlocking the Vertical Game
Washington’s defense has been one of the worst in football at defending vertical routes — they’ve already surrendered 843 yards on deep patterns, most in the league, and just last week Sam Darnold carved them up with 137 yards and 3 touchdowns on vertical throws. Yet for Detroit, the vertical game has been inconsistent. Jared Goff has targeted vertical routes more often this season (14.2% of attempts, his highest rate as a Lion), but his 44.1% completion rate is his second‑lowest in five years.
So what’s going wrong?
Protection issues: Goff’s deep attempts often collapse when the pocket isn’t clean. Minnesota exposed this last week with 26 pressures and five sacks.
Timing with receivers: Jameson Williams has the speed to stretch defenses, but chemistry on timing routes has lagged.
Play‑calling shift: Under John Morton, play‑action usage has dipped from Ben Johnson’s system, robbing Goff of the rhythm and spacing that made vertical shots more efficient.
Why it matters against Washington:
Secondary injuries: The Commanders’ secondary is depleted without Marshon Lattimore, and their zone‑match scheme has been vulnerable to seams and posts.
Stress point: Vertical routes stress their safeties, who are forced to cover more ground in Cover‑3 and quarters looks. When mixed right, the run game sets up the play pass, and the play pass counters the run game, both open up the deep game.
Let it fly: Detroit can exploit this by using max‑protection play‑action, condensed splits, and motion to isolate Williams or LaPorta downfield. It’s time to let the ball fly.
Bottom line: If the Lions want to punish Washington’s defense, they must turn Goff’s vertical inefficiency into opportunity. Protect the pocket, marry the run game to play‑action, and take calculated deep shots. This is the single biggest schematic advantage Detroit holds in Week 10.
Key #3: Reignite Play‑Action
Last season, Detroit’s offense was defined by play‑action. This year, usage and efficiency have dipped under Morton. Without it, defenses are sitting on routes and collapsing the pocket.
How to fix it:
Under‑center wide zone and duo runs to set up PA crossers.
Condensed splits and motion to force Washington’s zone defenders into tough leverage.
Max‑protection shots to Williams to stretch the field vertically.
Key #4: Win Second Down to Fix Third Down
Detroit’s third‑down struggles are glaring: just 36.3% conversion rate, 25th in the league. Too often, they’re facing 3rd‑and‑7+ because second down is wasted on low‑percentage runs. Washington’s defense allows 6.4 yards per play on 2nd‑and‑long — one of the worst marks in football. That’s the opening.
Adjustment:
Pass more on 2nd‑and‑long with play‑action crossers, RPO glance routes, and Gibbs angle routes.
Use LaPorta as the safety valve underneath to keep drives alive.
Aim to create 3rd‑and‑3 or 3rd‑and‑4 situations where Detroit’s short‑yardage menu opens up.
Key #5: Third‑down efficiency
Detroit went 5-for-17 on third down last week and ranks 25th in the NFL (36.3%) through Week 9. The Lions must improve on second down to avoid long third downs and capitalize on Washington’s middling third‑down defense.
Sustaining drives is critical to keep playmakers involved.
Washington’s defense ranks 21st, allowing opponents to convert 41.6% of third downs.
Defense Keys
Key #1: Contain & Make Marcus Mariota Uncomfortable
Mariota isn’t Jayden Daniels, but he’s dangerous in his own way. He’s rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown since taking over in Week 3, and he’s comfortable in RPO and play‑action concepts.
Detroit enters with 28 sacks (2nd NFL), led by Aidan Hutchinson, who has sacks in three straight road games. Laremy Tunsil has allowed just 1 sack, 1 hit, 12 pressures (PFF), while rookie RT Josh Conerly Jr. has surrendered 6 sacks, 2 hits, 31 pressures.
Defensive plan:
Maintain rush‑lane integrity — don’t give Mariota escape alleys.
Use a spy (Campbell or Barnes) on key downs.
Rotate late in coverage to muddy his first read.
Force him into 3rd‑and‑long, where his efficiency drops.
Mariota is a physical runner; tackling discipline is a major emphasis here.
Pressure Mariota, contain his mobility to prevent horizontal play extension and YAC damage.
Key #2: Stop Washington’s Run Game
Jacory Croskey‑Merritt has emerged as Washington’s lead back, with 440 yards and 4 touchdowns. Behind a line anchored by Laremy Tunsil, the Commanders average 139.9 rushing yards per game, 4th in the NFL.
Detroit’s run defense is top‑10, but Minnesota gashed them for 142 yards last week.
Defensive focus:
Interior fits from McNeill and Anzalone.
Gap discipline against zone and duo.
Early run‑stuffs to force Mariota into passing downs.
Rock’s Final Take
This game comes down to execution. The Lions must clean up protection, fix their second‑down sequencing, and rediscover play‑action to punish Washington’s vulnerable defense. On the other side, they must contain Mariota’s mobility and stop Croskey‑Merritt from setting the tone.
If Detroit executes these seven keys, they’ll avenge last year’s playoff loss and keep pace in the NFC playoff race.
Rock’s Lock Prediction: Lions 31, Commanders 20.
Week 10 Matchup On Paper
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