Washington Commanders DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

According to the team, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (concussion) is questionable to return to Saturday's Divisional Round playoff game against the Detroit Lions. The veteran tight end sustained a hard hit in the second quarter and is being evaluated for a concussion. Before exiting, Ertz caught both of his targets for 13 yards. While sidelined, John Bates should have a starting role in the offense.

The Washington Commanders announced on Friday that they signed wide receiver Mike Strachan and cornerback Allan George to Reserve/Futures deals. Strachan, a former seventh-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in the 2021 NFL draft out of Charleston, spent the first two years of his NFL career with the Colts before playing in four games with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. The 27-year-old will not be eligible to play with Washington in the Divisional Round playoff game on Saturday versus the Detroit Lions, but he'll be hoping to stick around with the organization beyond training camp next summer. He did not appear in any NFL games in 2024. In his three NFL campaigns, Strachan has only produced six receptions on 15 targets for 130 yards and no touchdowns in 23 games (one start). He'll merely serve as receiver depth heading into training camp.

Washington Commanders kicker Zane Gonzalez (hip) is off the injury report and is good to go for Saturday's divisional round matchup against the Detroit Lions. Gonzalez opened the week as a limited participant but was upgraded to a full participant for the remainder of the week. Last weekend in Tampa Bay, the 29-year-old had the best game of his career as he went 3-for-3 on field goals and 2-for-2 on extra points. Gonzalez made his first attempt from over 50 yards in this contest and hit the game-winner as time expired. Playing in a dome in a projected high-scoring affair makes Gonzalez a viable play in DFS competitions, as the Commanders should be in scoring positions all evening.

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin should be viewed as a high-end WR1 during the divisional round when he faces the Detroit Lions on Saturday evening. Last weekend, McLaurin led the way in their upset victory in Tampa Bay, bringing in seven of his ten targets for 89 yards and a score. His targets were the most on the team. Over his previous seven games, McLaurin has scored in six of them (eight total TDs) and averaged a solid 66.3 yards and 19.3 PPR points per game. During this span, he has seen 8.4 targets per game and caught just under six of them in each contest. Given his role as Jayden Daniels' go-to option, he carries elite upside in a favorable matchup, as the Lions have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season. McLaurin should be targeted in all DFS competitions this weekend.

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.