Washington Commanders DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler could have an increased role in a potential high-scoring affair against the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Ekeler returned from his four-game absence due to a concussion in Week 18. In this game, he tallied 32 total yards. Last weekend in Tampa Bay, he tallied a solid 27 yards on eight carries and brought in 26 yards on three receptions. Given Brian Robinson Jr.'s recent struggles, Ekeler has a viable path to being the top option in the backfield this weekend. In addition, given the projected 55.5-point total, the Commanders will need to rely on their passing attack, which should bode well for Ekeler, given his elite pass-catching abilities. Ekeler is a great value play as an RB2 in DFS competitions despite the tough matchup on paper.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is a touchdown-dependent flex option in the divisional round when he faces the Detroit Lions. Robinson had a disappointing conclusion to the season, and those struggles lingered during their wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this game, Robinson tallied just 16 yards on ten carries. Over the final three weeks of the regular season, Robinson tallied just 31.3 rushing yards per game and did not score a touchdown. However, during his first ten games of the season, Robinson scored eight touchdowns and averaged a solid 64 yards per game. Facing another tough rushing defense in Detroit, who has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs, makes him a touchdown-dependent flex option that is best to avoid in DFS in competitions.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels will look to extend their playoff run in a showdown in Detroit on Saturday evening. In his playoff debut last weekend in Tampa Bay, Daniels looked poised as he went 24-for-35 with 268 yards and two passing scores. He added 36 yards on the ground. The LSU product finished the regular season on a high note, averaging an impressive 34.0 PPR points per game and tallying over 300 all-purpose yards per game during Weeks 12 through 17. During this stretch, he found the back of the end zone 17 times. This weekend, in a projected high-scoring affair (55.5 projected point total) against the Lions, who have allowed the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs, makes Daniels an elite option in all DFS competitions.

According to the team, Washington Commanders wide receiver Jamison Crowder (hamstring) is off the injury report and good to go for Saturday's playoff game against the Detroit Lions. Crowder carried a questionable tag with this same injury last tweet but avoided one heading into the divisional round. Last weekend against Tampa Bay, Crowder logged just offensive snaps and did not see a target. He also was held off the scoresheet during Week 18. However, during Weeks 15 through 17, Crowder caught 2.7 passes per game and, tallied 22.3 yards per contest and found the end zone twice. The 31-year-old should be viewed as a high-risk desperation flex play as he is the clear No.4 option in the wide receiver room and has not seen consistent work throughout the season.

Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (rib) is off the injury report and should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in DFS formats this weekend, facing the Detroit Lions. Ertz opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade each day, ending the week with a full session on Thursday. Last weekend, during their upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ertz took the backseat as he caught just two of his four targets for 23 yards. However, Ertz scored three touchdowns during Weeks 17 and 18 and caught 11 of his 12 targets. Overall, the 34-year-old has enjoyed a nice debut campaign in the DMV as he has found the back of the end zone seven times and averaged 38.5 yards during 17 regular season games. Given the projected high-scoring affair on Saturday evening, Ertz should enjoy a nice bounce back despite the Lions allowing the fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends.