Lions Week 10 preview: Breaking down Commanders’ offensive, defensive schemes

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The Detroit Lions (5-3) and Washington Commanders (3-6) will square off in a Week 10 battle. While these two teams just faced off in last year’s NFC Divisional playoff game, each team looks a bit different than they did last year, and both teams are dealing with significant injuries, though the Lions’ situation may be a bit more optimistic.

As for the teams’ coaching staff, the Lions are working with two new coordinators and a handful of new position coaches, while the Commanders are rolling back the same unit from last season. As a reminder of who the Commanders’ decision-makers are and how things have changed in 2025, let’s take a closer look at the scheme they run and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.

Commanders head coach: Dan Quinn​

NFL coaching seasons: 23 seasons
Head coaching seasons: 8 seasons (Falcons 2015-20, Commanders 2024-present)
Influences: Nick Saban, Eric Mangini, Gus Bradley, Jim Mora
Style: Culture setter
Playcaller: Yes (Defense)

Dan Campbell on Quinn and the Commanders:

“Got a lot of respect for what Dan Quinn’s done out there. Good program. They’ve gotten some injuries, some things that they’ve been trying to overcome here – and really no different than us though, coming off a loss and getting back on their feet. We’re getting back on our feet and cleaning things up and find a way to be competitive and get the win.”

Offensive coordinator: Kliff Kingsbury​

NFL seasons as a player: Quarterback from 2003-06 (Patriots, Saints, Broncos, Jets, and Bills)
NFL coaching seasons: 6 seasons
Offensive coordinator seasons: 2 (Commanders 2024-present)
Head coaching seasons: 4 (Cardinals 2019-22)
QB cultivator: Case Keenum (Houston, 2010-11), Johnny Manziel (Texas A&M, 2012), Baker Mayfield (Texas Tech, 2013), Patrick Mahomes (Texas Tech, 2014-16), Kyler Murray (Cardinals, 2019-22), Caleb Williams (USC, 2023), and Jayden Daniels (2024-present)
Influences: Mike Leach (HC during time as a player), Dana Holgorsen (Texas Tech), Lincoln Riley (USC, 2023)
Key Staff: David Blough (Assistant QB coach), Anthony Lynn (Run game coordinator)

Offensive scheme​

Passing game: Modified Air Raid
Running scheme: Outside Zone
Staples of scheme:

• Personnel: 11 (59.5%, 18th), 12 (32%, 9th), 13 (1.5%, 25th), 21 (2.3%, 20th)
• Scheme is almost completely designed to optimize Jayden Daniels
• Air Raid: High-tempo, shotgun, multiple receiving options
• West Coast influences: pre-snap motion, play-action (24.6%, 17th), screens, and bunch formations
• RPOs with QB-designed runs mixed in
• QB also has an open option to scramble
• Attack the middle of the field with layered crossing routes (Mesh and Y-Crossing routes)
• Prioritize 1st down success to get them into 2nd/3rd and managable
• 1st down = high-accuracy plays
• 2nd/3rd down = willing to gamble
• Will run no huddle when they get looks they like/advantages
• Multiple formations with the same personnel, intended to fool defenses
• Willing to go for it on 4th down
• Use the pass to set up the run

Scouting notes​

• With Jayden Daniels injured, the offense takes a step back
• New starting QB Marcus Mariota has started three games and played in five this season
• Mariota can execute this offense—even though it’s designed for Daniels
• Maroita will get into passing set quicker, wants to speed up the process
• Lots of RPO and play-action with Mariota
• Will still run designed runs with Mariota
• More early designed RB runs with Mariota—went away from it once they got behind
• Will use all three RBs + QB + Deebo Samuel in the run game
• RB Jacory Croskey-Merrit is the early down back, Jeremy McNichols 3rd down/passing downs
• Favoring toss plays to handoffs
• Checkdowns go to TEs on short routes
• Samuel remains a quick slant option and gadget player
• Terry McLaurin is a problem when he plays

Dan Campbell on Quinn being blamed for playing Daniels in a lost game before being injured:

“You can’t second-guess that. That’s (my opinion), you can’t. (Daniels) just got back and I’m sure (you want to) get him in a rhythm, a flow. So, I think it’s hard to second-guess that. And I know hindsight, all this and that. But yeah, I do feel for (Quinn). But I don’t feel like he should have to feel that way. Try to get your guy going back in a rhythm and it’s unfortunate. I hate that for (Daniels) JD, man. That’s tough. But it’s not (Quinn’s) fault.”

Defensive coordinator: Joe Whitt Jr.​

NFL coaching seasons: 19 seasons
Defensive coordinator seasons: 2 seasons (Commanders 2024-present)
Influences: Dan Quinn (6 years), Dom Capers (10 years), Steve Wilks, Mike Pettine, Mike Zimmer
Key Staff: Ken Norton Jr. (LB coach), Ryan Kerrigan (Asst pass rush specialist), Darryl Tapp (DL coach)

Defensive scheme​

Base: 4-3, aggressive “multiple” front
Coverage: Single-high structured (1/3 Man, 2/3 Zone)
Staples of scheme:

• “Multiple” 1-gapping front
• Twists and stunts along the DL
• Blitz is a weapon
• Linebackers are capable of blitzing and causing problems
• More 3 LB sets in 2025 than in 2024
• As a result, less nickel (Mike Sainristil) as the season progresses
• Single high man (26% of the time), Cover-3 zone (28% of the time)
• Cover-2 (2% man/13% zone), Cover-4 (13%), Cover-6 (6%), Cover-0 (3%)

Scouting notes​

• Frankie Luvu’s suspension for multiple hip-drop tackles is overturned
• Opened Seattle in a 34 look, but right back into 4 down DL
• Not a lot of interior push from IDL, as they’re focused on holding gaps
• Stout up the middle vs. the run
• Slow to attack the sidelines on sweeping plays
• Slow to get pressure the last few weeks
• When they get aggressive up front, they expose holes in the secondary
• Man coverage on early downs and tight yardage
• Man coverage (bump-and-run) is late to react and constantly trailing
• Zone later downs and longer yardage
• LBs drop deep in zone, open space underneath for checkdowns
• Single-high/Cover-3 (53+% of the time) = attack the seam
• Throw into the blitz
• DBs react to play-action

Jared Goff on the Commanders’ defense:

“Yeah, good. Bobby (Wagner)’s been playing for a long time now, got as much respect for him as anyone in our League. (Frankie) Luvu is a hell of a player as well. They do a hell of a job, man., they do. They’re really well-coached over there, their front seven is a problem and their backend is doing a good job, too. So yeah, it’s a really good defense and we’ll have our hands full.”

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