The Washington Commanders lead the Detroit Lions 31-21 at halftime of the Divisional Round, the world continues to fall in love with Jayden Daniels. The Rookie has been a miracle worker this season taking the Commanders from the second worst record in the league to winning a game in the Divisional Round.
The first half featured Daniels ripping off big plays with his legs while also dropping absolute dimes as the Commanders made the Lions look like a shell of themselves. As Daniels' Rookie season continues he looks like he did last year winning the Heisman at LSU.
Jayden Daniels' Brilliance this season and the level he is hitting in the Playoffs where the stakes are at the highest only makes it more frustrating that LSU's 2023 season unfolded the way it did. The LSU Football team had one of the best offenses in the Country and far and away one of the worst defenses in the Country.
Just a reminder that Brian Kelly had Jayden Daniels last year…and didn’t even sniff the playoff
— Michael Collins (@MCFanSided) January 19, 2025
The Tigers went 10-3 in 2023, losing to Florida State where LSU allowed 45 points as the defense struggled and the Tigers muffed punts, LSU also lost a game where Daniels scored 49 points but, the defense allowed 55 points to Ole Miss, and Jalen Milroe shredded Matt House's defense with his legs.
Not only did LSU have Jayden Daniels but, the Tigers also had Brian Thomas Jr and Malik Nabers who remained at their college levels in the NFL this season finishing 3rd and 7th in receiving yards.
The Tigers defense which ranked outside of the Top 100 in nearly every defensive metric sunk the Tigers historic offense in 2023. If Matt House's unit even played average defense during the 2023 season, LSU would've made the College Football Playoff and could've won the National Championship.
Jayden, Malik and Brian Thomas instantly took over the NFL. I’ll never forgive the 2023 LSU defense.
— Eric Ray (@EricRayweather) January 19, 2025
As Jayden Daniels' red hot Playoff run continues, a simple Twitter/X search of Matt House's name will quickly show you the reason for LSU's 2023 failures. It's truly a shame that LSU couldn't ever field a competent defense in 2023 as LSU could've had a special season.