Categories: Sport

Lions vs. Commanders: Playoff showdown with Super Bowl stakes

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)

The Detroit Lions are riding unprecedented momentum, entering the NFL playoffs as Super Bowl favorites for the first time in franchise history.

Hosting the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, the Lions (15-2) are the NFC’s top seed after a record-breaking season. Detroit is favored to win by more than a touchdown, aiming to end a championship drought dating back to 1957.

From Underdogs to Top Contenders

“We were the hunters, now we’re the hunted in the lions’ den,” said All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph. Detroit leads all teams in Super Bowl odds, ahead of Kansas City, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Buffalo. Head coach Dan Campbell embraces the team’s evolution, saying, “We’ve been the laughingstock, now we’re great. It’s time to perform.”

Commanders Thrive as Underdogs

Washington (13-5), expected to win just six games this season, has defied all predictions. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the league in comeback wins, including a historic playoff performance last week against Tampa Bay. Daniels became the first rookie QB to lead his team in rushing and passing yards in a playoff victory.

“We’ve been counted out all season, but we just keep proving people wrong,” said running back Brian Robinson Jr.

Clutch Coaches and Aggressive Play

Both teams excel on fourth down, with Detroit converting 22 of 33 attempts and Washington achieving an 87% success rate during the regular season — the best since 2000. Campbell’s Lions lead the NFL in fourth-down attempts over the last four years, while Commanders coach Dan Quinn called five fourth-down plays in last week’s win, including a late TD pass.

Prime-Time Dominance

Detroit thrives under the spotlight, boasting an 11-2 record in prime-time games with Campbell at the helm. Adding to their advantage, running back David Montgomery returns from injury to reunite with Jahmyr Gibbs. The pair averaged 138.5 rushing yards per game during the regular season, while Washington ranks 30th in run defense.

Commanders Keep It Close

Washington enters the game on a five-game streak of winning on the final play, showcasing their resilience. “You see who rises to the occasion when it’s crunch time,” said Daniels.

As the Lions look to capitalize on their historic season, the Commanders aim to extend their underdog run, promising a thrilling showdown under the Saturday night lights.

Herbert Bauernebel

Herbert Bauernebel has been reporting from New York since 1999 and currently works for Bild.de, OE24 TV, and US Live. He also runs the news portal AmerikaReport.de. Bauernebel has covered nearly all major US events of the past quarter-century, including 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Barack Obama’s election, Donald Trump’s surprise victory, the pandemic, last year’s election showdown, as well as natural disasters such as hurricanes and oil spills. He has also reported firsthand on international events, including the Asian tsunami, the Haiti earthquake, and the Fukushima disaster. He lives in Brooklyn with his family and holds degrees in communication and political science from the University of Vienna. Bauernebel is the author of a book about his experiences on 9/11, And the Air Was Full of Ash: 9/11 – The Day That Changed My Life.