Santana Moss was in the press box right behind Grant Paulsen for most of Sunday night’s Commanders win in Tampa, so the two of them got to share some feelings about it in the moment – but how was ‘Tana feeling when he joined Grant & Danny on Wednesday?
“You don’t know what I’ve been going through the last 10-plus years now! It is nerve-wracking to sit there and watch a game, especially of a team that you just feel like you put everything in that you ever had in your soul when you were a part of it, and now you're still putting everything in it because you're that much of a fan,” Moss told the guys. “I go to games and I still find myself doing some of the same things I did as a player. I pray every morning before the game, hoping for us to win and guys come out of it injury-free.
It’s nerve-wracking, but it’s great to watch, too.”
So, what can the Commanders take from that win as they look towards a tough battle in Detroit?
“I think one thing that translated from this team all year long, is it didn't really matter who the opponent is – they have a motto like any time, anybody, anywhere,” Moss said. “We watch and analyze the team, and we're telling you what we think the strengths and the weaknesses are, but what they've shown time and time again is they really don't care who the opponent is. As long as they handle business, take care of themselves, then they have a chance. So that’s how I look at Detroit now – they’re a juggernaut, one of those teams that you don't wanna be caught up in a shootout with, but this team has shown that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. I love the fact that they're battle tested, I love the fact that they went toe to toe with just about everybody, and when you're in the playoffs, you can scrap what you did in the regular season. It doesn't matter, it’s just time to be your best at this given moment.”
And to that point, Dyami Brown had perhaps the biggest catch of Saturday’s game on the final drive, after having just 30 all year, and it was the other Brown, Noah, who caught the Hail Jayden weeks ago. For a receiving group that was looked as at Terry McLaurin and a bunch of JAGs, they’ve stepped up big – which is something ex-wideout Moss can truly appreciate.
“I loved everything about that performance for Dyami, and I told him the other day that on our pregame show, I talked about all the receivers, and what I believe he was for this team – and I said we’ve been waiting to see that Dyami Brown we saw at North Carolina,” Moss said. “Sometimes it takes longer for guys, but sometimes as a receiver, you have to settle for what they give you, or do it so well to where you can't be replaced, and you saw that Sunday night. I think games like that help guys like Dyami build confidence that they can do it consistently, and if you can bring that, we don’t need to go searching for other receivers.”
Take a listen to Moss’ entire visit above, as he also gave some thoughts on this Saturday night in Detroit and more!