Detroit would be the ultimate playoff crew to start out its playoff adventure this season when the Lions play host to the Washington Commanders in the second one NFL sport on Saturday evening.
Detroit claimed the No. 1 seed within the NFC for the primary time in franchise historical past.
“We got here into this yr able for video games like this,” Lions quarterback Jared Goff mentioned. “If we win, we get some other one at house. That is a large praise.”
ODDS AND TRENDS
The Lions are consensus 9.0-point favorites amongst regulated sportsbooks. That incorporates at BetRivers, the place Detroit has been sponsored by way of 54 p.c of the spread-line tickets and 74 p.c of the cash.
Detroit’s -560 moneyline has been a much more well-liked play. In spite of the low odds and possible payout, the Lions have drawn 81 and 87 p.c of the motion, respectively.
The 55.5 overall issues line has because the Over closely supported with 71 p.c of the cash.
PROP PICK
Lions WR Jameson Williams Over 3.5 Receptions (-150 at DraftKings): The third-year big-play extensive receiver has turn into an integral a part of the passing sport, averaging seven objectives over his previous 8 video games. He has had a minimum of 5 receptions in all however a type of video games, which is why this has been the preferred participant prop on the e book.
THE NEWS
Runners as much as the 49ers within the NFC final season, the Lions (15-2) set a franchise document for wins within the 2024 common season, clinching the NFC North with a Week 18 win over the Minnesota Vikings. That victory secured the one first-round bye within the convention.
Whilst the Lions rested and plotted tactics to offer protection to their injury-ravaged protection, the Commanders scored their first postseason victory since 2005 at Tampa Bay, 23-20 at the back of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
A crowning glory share of 72 p.c with 12 touchdowns within the fourth quarter and extra time helped outline Daniels’ stellar rookie season. He threw a game-tying TD go to No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin on fourth down at Tampa Bay and, after the Buccaneers tied the sport, he frivolously attached on 3 immediately passes and ran for a primary all the way down to arrange the game-winning box purpose.
Daniels led 5 comeback wins and helped Washington crash the playoffs with 3 fourth-quarter landing passes to overcome the Eagles final month.
Daniels, described by way of his trainer as a “killer within that helmet,” may now not have compatibility the outline of rookie at this level within the season. He helped the Commanders strengthen from 4 wins to a 12-5 end and was once 8-3 in one-score video games.
“He does now not play the placement like a rookie quarterback,” Lions head trainer Dan Campbell mentioned.
The No. 6 seed within the NFC is going again at the street for the fourth playoff matchup with the Lions, who’re 0-3 towards Washington within the playoffs. With a win, the Commanders would advance to the convention championship for the primary time since they defeated the Lions within the 1991 NFC identify sport.
“Jayden has such poise in those profitable time moments. And that’s contagious as smartly,” Commanders head trainer Dan Quinn mentioned.
Beating Detroit on its house turf is more likely to require some other take hold of appearing from Daniels and the Washington protection. The Commanders bogged down Baker Mayfield and the Bucs final week, however the Lions are a distinct animal.
No. 1 within the NFL in scoring offense (33.2 issues in step with sport) and moment in overall offense (409.5 yards in step with sport) all the way through the common season, Detroit welcomes the go back of working again David Bernard Law Montgomery (1,116 yards from scrimmage, 12 speeding TDs in 2024) after he ignored 3 video games with a knee damage sustained Dec. 15. Bernard Law Montgomery was once thought to be a surgical treatment candidate however mentioned rehab has him feeling more potent than he was once ahead of the damage.
“He is a large a part of this crew. Anytime you get a key participant and a man like him — the way in which he runs, you truly cannot substitute it,” Lions extensive receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown mentioned. “To have him again, we are all beautiful excited at the offensive aspect of the ball as a result of he units a tone for us as an offense. I believe like he will get guys going. We will be able to’t wait to have him available in the market. I am excited to look him even move in follow once more after which be available in the market for the sport.”
A key to slowing Bernard Law Montgomery down for the Commanders is center linebacker Bobby Wagner. A second-team All-Professional in 2024, Wagner injured his ankle at the second-to-last defensive play of the wild-card win final week and did not follow Tuesday or Wednesday.
The 34-year-old was once again at the box Thursday in a restricted capability and is predicted to play Saturday.
Wagner adopted Quinn to Washington and crowned 100 tackles for the eleventh consecutive season. Described as a “heartbeat” presence on protection, Wagner has 17 playoff appearances within the NFL.
The 230-pound Bernard Law Montgomery’s pad-popping working taste is the perfect supplement to rapid Jahmyr Gibbs, who crowned 21 miles in step with hour on two of his TDs (70-yard run, 54-yard reception), in line with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. Gibbs led the crew with 1,412 speeding yards and 16 touchdowns, plus 52 catches for 517 yards and 4 extra TDs. St. Brown was once named All-Professional in 2024 with a team-high 115 receptions for 1,263 yards and 12 TDs, and Goff throwing 37 TD passes and finishing 72.4 p.c of his makes an attempt.
“They are all truly just right,” Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. mentioned. “They check your self-discipline. I believe (offensive coordinator) Ben (Johnson) does a truly great process of working out coverages. He understands the duty of each and every participant, and he’ll check the self-discipline of the ones gamers in protection. … After which they have got truly just right gamers.”
Detroit’s protection has been dominant on 0.33 down regardless of being besieged by way of accidents. The Lions led the NFL in third-down protection and beat the Vikings by way of unexpected Minnesota with greater than 50 p.c man-to-man protection, a long way upper than the league moderate. Even with subs in numerous key positions, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn hasn’t modified the way. Twelve defensive gamers who had been starters or key backups are on IR.
However staying the direction and handing over effects is the large explanation why he is been a well-liked goal for groups with a emptiness at head trainer.
“Something I have revered is such a lot of instances whilst you see a crew have accidents, they alter to play in a different way,” Quinn mentioned. “And ‘let’s play extra of this,’ which they by no means did. I believed there may be some boldness and self belief that is going with that.”
Washington and Detroit are each masses daring in relation to rolling the cube. The Commanders led the NFL in fourth-down conversion share, transferring the chains on 20 of 23 makes an attempt. Campbell and Johnson went for it on fourth down greater than some other crew this season and transformed 22 of 33 tries. They lead the NFL with 151 makes an attempt on fourth down since 2021.
The Commanders transformed thrice in 5 fourth-down tries final week.
“I believe that is who we’re the entire season,” Quinn mentioned. “However whilst you do get stopped early, you simply have to stick the direction figuring out that, ‘Hiya, stay your chin tucked and stay swinging,’ figuring out that that is going to be a sport that is going to head all of the manner all the way down to the top.”
Goff, a No. 1 select in 2016 who performed in a Tremendous Bowl with the Rams ahead of becoming a member of the Lions by the use of business, mentioned Daniels, drafted No. 2 in 2024, seems relaxed regardless of the circumstance.
“It does not appear to be he’s a rookie, it does not appear to be he appears like a rookie,” Goff mentioned. “It appears like he understands the instant and is relaxed in it and our process on protection is to check out to make him uncomfortable. It is been a problem for numerous groups this yr, however I am excited to look what they do.”
KEY STAT
Rookie quarterbacks are 5-7 within the Divisional Playoffs since 1950 and 1-4 since 2010. Handiest Mark Sanchez (2009 with the Jets) and Joe Flacco (2008, Ravens) have gained more than one street video games as rookie starters.
INJURY REPORT
Bernard Law Montgomery practiced in complete all week, as did Detroit cornerback Terrion Arnold (foot).
Detroit might be with out proper guard Kevin Zeitler (hamstring), with rookie Christian Mahogany because of step in for his moment NFL get started. Lions reserve defensive lineman Pat O’Connor (calf) is out, and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring/sickness) was once thought to be questionable.
Washington dominated out reserve linebacker Jordan Magee (hamstring) whilst checklist reserve linebacker Mykal Walker (sickness) as questionable.
PREDICTION
The Lions controlled their manner via a slew of defensive accidents to roll off 15 wins all the way through the common season. The offense is explosive within the run and go video games, placing Daniels in a precarious place of looking to stay tempo in a shootout at the street in a raucous setting.
–Lions 34, Commanders 24
–Box Degree Media
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