Let’s take a closer look at the snap count of the NFC Divisional Round battle of the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders in the 2024-25 NFL Playoffs.
Offense
Quarterbacks
Jared Goff: 66 (96%)
Teddy Bridgewater: 3 (4%)
Hendon Hooker: Emergency Third Quarterback
An unreported hit to the head following an interception forced Goff to be evaluated for a concussion, and although he missed the next series (a three-play drive that ended with a touchdown of 61 yards from Jameson Williams), he returned the following drive.
Running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs: 52 (75%)
David Montgomery: 17 (25%)
Craig Reynolds: 1 (1%) — 15 special teams snaps (52%)
Sione Vaki: 0 (0%) — 24 (83%)
Montgomery got the start, but it was clear from the jump that he needed to get his legs back under him and Gibbs had a lot of work to do. It ended up being another monster day for Gibbs (105 rushing yards, six receptions, 70 receiving yards and two touchdowns) that capped off an incredible season.
Tight ends
Sam LaPorta: 67 (97%)
Brock Wright: 17 (25%) – 5 (17%)
Shane Zylstra: 3 (4%) — 21 (72%)
LaPorta finished the season strong, playing almost every snap and recording six receptions for 51 yards and an insane touchdown. Wright and Zylstra saw their snaps reduced compared to recent weeks, but this outing aligns with the majority of the season.
Wide receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown: 66 (96%)
Jameson Williams: 61 (88%)
Tim Patrick: 30 (43%)
Kalif Raymond: 29 (42%) – 10 (34%)
Allen Robinson: 0 (0%)
While the tight ends have been cut back a bit, the receivers have seen a corresponding increase in their snaps, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kalif Raymond. Together, they combined for more than half of the Lions’ aerial production.
We saw the best and worst of Jameson Williams in this match. He saw four targets (about half of what he saw per game over the past two months) and had just one catch for 19 yards, but his 61-yard touchdown run illustrated his explosive potential and why it is so dangerous. Unfortunately, his decision to throw a pass on a trap play that led to an interception was arguably the play that ended the Lions’ season. He is by no means totally responsible for the outcome of this piece, but he certainly shares responsibility.
Offensive line
Christian Mahogany: 69 (100%) — 5 (17%)
Graham Glasgow: 69 (100%) — 5 (17%)
Penei Sewell: 69 (100%) – 3 (10%)
Taylor Decker: 69 (100%) – 2 (7%)
Frank Ragnow: 69 (100%)
Dan Skipper: 2 (3%) — 5 (17%)
Michael Niese: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)
Kayode Awosika: 0 (0%) — 5 (17%)
Kevin Zeitler: INACTIVE – INJURED
Colby Sorsdal: INACTIVE
Giovanni Manu: INACTIVE
Christian Mahogany got his second start of the season and was a force at right guard for the Lions. It certainly helps to play between two All-Pros, but Mahogany leads the Lions’ PFF grades on offense (92.2 overall) and has firmly put his name in the conversation for a starting role in 2025. His ability to play both left and left. the right side at a high level still helps his case.
With the Lions focused on spreading things around against Washington’s defense, Dan Skipper only saw the field twice as the sixth offensive lineman in this game.
Defense
EDGE
Josh Paschal: 66 (88%) — 8 (28%)
Za’Darius Smith: 40 (53%)
Al-Quadin Muhammad: 40 (53%)
Jonas Williams: 9 (12%) – 8 (28%)
Mitchell Agude: INACTIVE
Paschal and Smith saw the majority of starting reps on the edge in this game, with a healthy dose of Muhammad and some filler work from Williams. Paschal and Smith also saw the majority of their reps at the rim, but they showed some versatility by taking a handful of snaps inside (Paschal had six, Smith had two).
D.T.
Levi Onwuzurike: 63 (84%) — 8 (28%)
DJ player: 60 (80%)
Myles Adams: 9 (12%)
Chris Smith: 9 (12%)
Pat O’Connor: INACTIVE – INJURED
Brodric Martin: INACTIVE
After splitting reps inside and out for most of the season, Levi Onwuzurike played almost exclusively inside in this game (59 inside, four outside), helping to replace an injury-depleted group of defensive tackles. Reader once again increased his snaps to help mitigate the Lions’ losses inside as well, seeing nearly double the snaps he saw earlier in the season.
Linebackers
Jack Campbell: 75 (100%)
Alex Anzalone: 74 (99%)
Trevor Nowaske: 17 (23%) — 24 (83%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 6 (8%) – 24 (83%)
Anthony Pittman: 0 (0%) — 24 (83%)
Ben Niemann: 0 (0%) — 22 (76%)
Ezekiel Turner: 0 (0%) – 14 (48%)
For the second week in a row, the Lions abandoned deploying their base defense on more than 50% of snaps, instead reducing it to around 30%. This change meant more sub-set play (especially from their safeties) with only Campbell and Anzalone on the field.
Cornerbacks
Terrion Arnold: 75 (100%)
Kindle Vildor: 73 (97%) — 11 (38%)
Amik Robertson: 2 (3%)
Stanley Thomas-Oliver: 2 (3%) – 16 (55%)
Robertson broke his arm on the second defensive play of the game, putting an exclamation point on a season full of brutal injuries. Vildor stepped into the starting role opposite Arnold, and although he made decent coverage, he was subbed out missing two tackles. Thomas-Oliver only saw two snaps but was notably one of 12 players on the field during the Lions’ criticism of “too many men” on the field.
Security
Kerby Joseph: 75 (100%) — 8 (28%)
Brian branch: 67 (89%)
Ifetu Melifonwu: 42 (56%) — 1 (3%)
Morice Norris: 22 (29%) – 23 (79%)
In addition to losing Robertson at corner, the Lions also saw Melifonwu and Branch unable to participate at various points in the game due to injuries. While Branch ultimately only missed eight snaps, Norris – a UDFA who had just signed to the active roster a few weeks ago – was needed to replace Melifonwu. When Melifonwu was on the sideline and the Lions switched to nickel sets, Joseph moved to Melifonwu’s cover role and Norris took over Joseph’s single safety position.
To illustrate the impact of serious injuries on the Lions secondary, Arnold was the only one of five secondary starters to finish the season in the role he started. With Carlton Davis out, Robertson moved out to replace him until he was injured. Branch (who was a Pro Bowl safety) was forced into the slot to replace Robertson. And against the Commanders, Joseph (who was an All-Pro at single safety) was moved from his role to replace Melifonwu.
Special teams
Jake Bates: 11 (38%)
Jack Fox: 6 (21%)
Hogan Hatten: 6 (21%)
A very typical working day for specialists.
