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          Commanders' Brian Robinson, Terry McLaurin score TDs

          Zach Ertz spikes the ball after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter Saturday. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
          • John Keim, ESPN Staff WriterJan 19, 2025, 02:45 AM
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              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          DETROIT -- The Washington Commanders knew they had to knock out the Detroit Lions if they wanted to upset them on the road. In the second quarter, they threw multiple punches.

          Safety Quan Martin intercepted quarterback Jared Goff's pass on second-and-14 and returned it 40 yards to give the Commanders a 24-14 lead in the second quarter.

          Jayden Daniels then threw his second touchdown pass of the game, connecting with tight end Zach Ertz for a 5-yard score with 1:46 left in the first half. Daniels threw for 242 yards in the first half. It was Ertz's eighth touchdown catch of the season.

          Daniels' first TD came with 6:23 left in the second quarter when he connected with receiver Terry McLaurin on a screen pass to the left. McLaurin then split two defenders at the line of scrimmage and sprinted 58 yards for a touchdown.

          McLaurin stiff-armed safety Kerby Joseph around the 10-yard line and kept his balance to cross the goal line.

          The score came three plays after Detroit had taken a 14-10 lead. Washington needed only three plays to retake the lead. During the screen pass, McLaurin received blocks at the line of scrimmage from receivers Dyami Brown and Olamide Zaccheaus.

          It was McLaurin's 14th touchdown catch and his second-longest scoring play of the season.

          The Commanders' running backs hadn't been effective for most of the past six weeks. But the rushing attack came through when needed early in the second quarter. Running back Brian Robinson Jr., one play after being tackled for a loss of 1 yard, scored from the 2-yard line for a 10-7 lead.

          Robinson, aligned on the right side, ran up the middle, then cut to his right behind blocks by guard Sam Cosmi and tackle Andrew Wylie. Tight end John Bates cleared the outside with a block.

          It was Robinson's first touchdown run since Dec. 1 in a 42-19 win over Tennessee. Robinson's touchdown run Saturday gave him 35 yards for the game. In two of his past three games, Robinson had rushed for fewer than 25 yards. Washington's drive featured a successful fourth-and-3 conversion on a pass from quarterback Jayden Daniels to tight end Zach Ertz.