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Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions Preview
The Washington Commanders, boasting a record of 13-5, are set to face the Detroit Lions, who have an impressive 15-2 record. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. EST and will be broadcast live on Fox. According to BetMGM, the Lions are favored by 9.5 points in this matchup. Historically, Washington holds a 31-16 advantage over Detroit, winning all three playoff encounters on home turf.
This season, Washington has performed well against the spread, with an 11-6-1 record, while Detroit has an equally impressive 12-5. In their previous meeting on September 18, 2022, the Lions topped the Commanders 36-27 in Detroit. Last week, Washington earned a narrow victory over the Buccaneers with a score of 23-20, while the Lions enjoyed a bye, securing their place as the NFC’s top seed.
Analyzing the performance metrics, Washington’s offense ranks 7th overall, with their rushing attack sitting at 3rd and passing at 17th. They have managed to score at the 5th position. Defensively, Washington ranks 13th overall, with significant challenges in run defense, where they sit at 30th, yet they excel in pass defense at 3rd. Conversely, the Lions have an outstanding offense, ranked 2nd overall, with their rushing game at 6th and passing attack also at 2nd, making them the top-scoring team in the league. Defensively, however, they rank lower at 20th overall, despite strong run defense capabilities at 5th.
The turnover differential favors the Lions at plus-9, compared to the Commanders’ plus-1. A notable player to keep an eye on for Washington is cornerback Marshon Lattimore. He has been recovering from a hamstring injury and has faced tough matchups, most recently against Mike Evans, leading to coaching adjustments. As the Commanders prepare for Detroit’s formidable receiving corps, Lattimore’s performance will be crucial.
For the Lions, running back Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as a key player, particularly in the absence of David Montgomery due to a knee injury. Gibbs has averaged 162.3 yards from scrimmage over the past three games, scoring six touchdowns in that span. With Montgomery returning, the Lions are expected to have one of the top backfields in the league, making their combined rushing averages a significant talking point as the Commanders struggle with run defense.
Injury reports indicate that the Commanders will have linebacker Bobby Wagner returning after missing some practice time with an ankle injury, although rookie LB Jordan Magee is out due to a hamstring issue. The Lions will also be managing injuries, with starting right guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor ruled out. However, rookie Christian Mahogany is expected to step up, and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw remains a question mark due to a hamstring injury and illness.
Historically, these two teams have not faced each other in the playoffs since the 1999 season. Washington has seen playoff success in previous encounters, having won the Super Bowl following their playoff victories in the early ’80s and early ’90s.
As Washington enters this game fresh off its first playoff victory in 19 years, they are eager to make a deeper run towards their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991. The current Commanders are riding a five-game winning streak, all concluded in dramatic fashion. Jayden Daniels has made history as a rookie quarterback, leading the team with remarkable passing numbers alongside effective rushing contributions. Meanwhile, the Lions are relishing their top seed placement for the first time in franchise history and are keen to break their playoff win drought that has persisted since the early ’50s. The upcoming matchup promises to be a clash of high stakes and thrilling plays as both teams strive for postseason glory.
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