Commanders Viewing Guide: 3 Things to Watch In AFC, NFC Championship Games
Super Bowl berths are on the line when the Baltimore Ravens face the Kansas City Chiefs at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday in the AFC Championship game, and the San Francisco 49ers host the Detroit Lions at 6:30 p.m. ET.
While the Washington Commanders' season has been long over, the odds that their next head coach comes from Sunday's matchups are high. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald have already interviewed once for the Commanders' vacancy, and the team is reportedly planning to interview both for a second time.
The stakes don't get much higher, and how each coach performs in their biggest games to date may have a huge say in who becomes Washington's next head coach.
Here are three things for the Commanders in the AFC and NFC Championship games.
Adam Peters and Ben Johnson
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Mike Macdonald and the Ravens defense vs. Patrick Mahomes
Macdonald has been the "mad scientist" behind the best defense in the NFL this season.
The Ravens allowed the fewest points per game (16.5), led the league in sacks (60) and were tied for first in turnovers (31). They also held the Lions and 49ers to a combined 25 points in their regular season matchups.
Stopping the Chiefs poses the biggest challenge for Macdonald and his defense this season. Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's offense has found its groove in the playoffs, scoring 26 points against the Miami Dolphins and 27 against the Buffalo Bills.
The Chiefs are on the verge of a dynasty with two Super Bowl victories in three appearances since the 2019 season. If Macdonald's defense can shut down Mahomes, that could pull Macdonald ahead in the Commanders' coaching search.
Ravens Impending Free Agents Patrick Queen and Geno Stone
Even if the Commanders don't hire Macdonald, general manager Adam Peters needs to completely retool a defense that allowed the most points per game.
Who better to sign players from than the team with the best defense in the NFL?
Linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone have been two key cogs for Baltimore. Queen is coming off a career year with 133 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, six passes defended and an interception. Stone was second in the league with seven interceptions.
With Washington having the most cap space in the NFL, it can offer more money than anyone in free agency if that's the path they choose this offseason. For a defense that needs to be completely retooled, Queen and Stone should be atop Peters' list of targets this offseason.
Ben Johnson vs. 49ers defense
Johnson has been the belle of the ball in this coaching cycle for his offensive prowess, and many people have predicted he will be the Commanders' next head coach.
In his two seasons as the Lions' offensive coordinator, they have been fifth in points per game. They haven't slowed down in the playoffs either, scoring 24 points against the Los Angeles Rams and 31 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 49ers' defense poses the biggest test during Detroit's playoff run, as they were third in points allowed per game (17.5) in the regular season. Peters was also in San Francisco from 2017-2023 before being hired by Washington, so putting together a strong performance in Santa Clara could hold more weight in his eyes.
With Washington picking No. 2 in the 2024 NFL Draft, it's well-positioned to take its quarterback of the future. Pairing Johnson with a rookie quarterback could be a dream start for Peters as he begins to fix the Commanders in his image.
If Johnson and the Lions offense put on another show against one of the NFL's best defenses, that could tab him as Peters' guy.
