The Detroit Lions were breathing a sigh of relief after winning in Week 18 to get the first-round bye, and after the Los Angeles Rams’ emphatic win over the Vikings, head coach Dan Campbell and crew are not just happy for the extra rest.
Avoiding an early bump in the road is usually beneficial, and the Lions will look to take advantage of that against the emerging Washington Commanders. Washington entered the season with low expectations, but now arrives in the divisional round with the presumptive NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in Jayden Daniels and coming off a road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round — the only road team to win in the first weekend of the playoffs.
For Detroit, David Montgomery is back in the lineup after missing the final three games of the regular season with a knee injury — he returned to practice Tuesday. Montgomery rushed for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns in his 14 games this season and would reunited the “Sonic and Knuckles” tandem with Jahmyr Gibbs in the Detroit backfield. That duo powered the Lions to finish sixth in the NFL in rushing this season and second in the league in rushing touchdowns.
With a win, Washington would make it to the NFC championship game for the first time since their Super Bowl win at the end of the 1991 season.
How to watch Commanders vs. Lions: NFC divisional playoff
Time: 8 p.m. ET Location: Ford Field | Detroit TV Channel: Fox Streaming: Fox Sports App, Fubo
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Sam Cosmi is up and very, very gingerly walking off. Got bent backward on the TD run.
On their ninth play in the red zone, the Commanders run Brian Robinson Jr. up the middle on an option and take the lead. Offensive guard Sam Cosmi is down with an injury.
The Lions get called for pass interference on a critical 3rd-and-goal. Kerby Joseph had a hand on Terry McLaurin when he fell down, and it means a fresh set of downs for D.C.
Lions fans do not approve.
The Commanders go for it on 4th-and-3 at the Lions’ 9-yard line and get it. Zach Ertz got stopped two yards short of a touchdown.
Commanders fan Kevin Durant didn’t appreciate Jahmyr Gibbs doing his dance.
The lights are definitely not too bright for Jayden Daniels. Given plenty of time to stand in the pocket, the rookie finds a wide-open Dyami Brown for a long gain.
Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. is looking like a difference-maker early, with 34 yards on three carries.
The Washington defense can take a breather, but the Lions had gains of 33 yards, 23 yards, 19 yards, 15 yards and 14 yards in their last two drives. Goff isn’t going to fumble every time, so D.C. has some work to do.
FUMBLE: Commanders get huge break in the red zone
The Lions were once again rolling, but Dorance Armstrong knocks the ball out of Jared Goff’s hands and Frankie Luvu recovers it. An enormous play for Washington.
Jahmyr Gibbs continues to present a problem for Washington, this time with a 33-yard gain. The Lions have reached the red zone in three plays.
Two wins for the Lions defense, as far as I’m concerned. Jayden Daniels is not flinching. Commanders are moving the ball, but Washington only has three points to show for two drives that ended in Detroit territory. Offense can keep the pressure on Washington with another score.
Nearly a quarter in, this game has been about as expected. Lions look like the better team on both sides of the ball, but Jayden Daniels doesn’t look overwhelmed. The Commanders can’t afford to make mistakes like that too-cute fourth-down attempt and Brown’s drop.
Facing another 3rd-and-10, Jayden Daniels hit Dyami Brown on the hands, but the ball is dropped. Zane Gonzalez doesn’t need a doink to make it 7-3.
The Commanders are past midfield after Jayden Daniels picked up a big first down on 3rd-and-10. Just an easy throw to Jamison Crowder.
Washington had zero answers for Jahmyr Gibbs on Drive 2.
Dina Dodson is a writer who covers sports, education, and tech. She loves to write about the stories that make her feel like she's living in the future, whether it's using a state-of-the-art virtual reality headset or learning how to code. Her hobbies include lifting heavy things and watching YouTube videos of people lifting heavy things.
