Analyze Jayden Daniels's matchup for week 10
Daniels has regressed as a passer and runner, but Detroit’s middle-of-the-road QB defense (22.2 fantasy pts allowed) plus his 45-yard rushing floor keeps him in the low-end QB1 tier.
Detroit is allowing 277 passing yards and 1.7 TD passes per game to QBs while also giving up 21 rushing yards per contest to the position—ideal for a dual-threat quarterback looking to rebound. Washington’s offensive line has leaked 11 sacks, yet the Lions’ 23-sack pace isn’t elite, so Daniels should have time to exploit a secondary that’s already surrendered 14 touchdown passes in seven games.
After a historic rookie year, Daniels’ completion rate has dipped to 62.1 %, his yards-per-attempt sits at 7.1, and he’s on pace for barely 300 rushing yards—half of last year’s total—while his QBR has fallen to 52.7.
The second-year slump is real: Daniels is throwing shorter and running less, producing only seven touchdown passes through nine weeks and averaging a full yard fewer per carry than he did as a rookie. The Lions, however, represent a get-right spot. They play man coverage at a top-10 rate but lack lock-down corners, which should let Terry McLaurin and the emerging slot duo create separation on intermediate crossers—exactly where Daniels has been most accurate this season. Detroit’s pass rush is respectable, yet their interior pressure rate ranks 19th; with guard Sam Cosmi back healthy, Daniels should be able to climb the pocket and use his legs when coverage breaks down. Expect 8–10 designed or improvised scrambles, a handful of RPO keepers, and at least one red-zone rushing attempt that props up his fantasy floor even if the aerial numbers remain modest. Finally, game script projects neutral—Washington is only a 2.5-point underdog—so Daniels won’t be forced into obvious passing downs that expose his diminished deep-ball efficiency. All signs point to a safe 18-22 point outing with sneaky QB1 upside if he connects on a 40-yard shot or finds pay-dirt twice.