The Detroit Lions Take on the Washington Commanders in the NFL Playoffs
The Washington Commanders will play against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round. The game is on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 PM ET, with the game broadcast on Fox.
The Washington Commanders will continue their surprising season tonight. They will try to knock off the NFC’s top seed, the Detroit Lions. The Commanders have surprised a lot of people and don’t have the most talent in the league. They do have quality coaching that puts players in situations to succeed. Can they trip up the Lions today at Ford Field?
Team Overviews
Detroit Lions (15-2):
The Lions have had a stellar season, finishing with a 15-2 record and securing the top seed in the NFC. Their offense is orchestrated by Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson. It has been prolific. The team ranks as the league’s second-best in average yards per game. Under Johnson’s guidance, quarterback Jared Goff has experienced a career resurgence. He leads a multifaceted offense that excels in both passing and rushing. Key offensive weapons include running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta. Defensively, despite significant injuries, Coordinator Aaron Glenn has implemented effective strategies, utilizing high man-coverage and blitz tactics.
Washington Commanders (12-5):
The Commanders have been the surprise team of the season, exceeding expectations with a 12-5 record. They have become masters of the walk-off win. They have secured their last five victories on the final play from scrimmage. This is a total of seven this season. It is a feat unprecedented since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Head Coach Dan Quinn has emphasized practicing crucial situations consistently, contributing to their success in close games. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels has been instrumental, leading the NFL in QBR on third and fourth downs. The Commanders are aggressive on fourth-down plays. Their approach has resulted in an 87% success rate. This strategy adds significant expected points for the team.
Injury Reports
Detroit Lions:
- Kevin Zeitler (G): Ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
- Ennis Rakestraw (CB): Questionable with a hamstring/illness.
- Pat O’Connor (DL): Out with a calf injury.
Washington Commanders:
- Bobby Wagner (LB): Expected to play despite an ankle issue.
- Zane Gonzalez (K): Expected to play despite a hip issue.
- John Bates (TE): Full participant in practice with a shoulder injury.
- Dominique Hampton (LB): Full participant in practice with a back injury.
- Marshon Lattimore (CB): Full participant in practice with a hamstring injury.
Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions Betting Odds
As of January 18, 2025, the Detroit Lions are favored by 9.5 points over the Washington Commanders. The moneyline is set at Lions -550 and Commanders +400, with an over/under of 55.5 points.
Weather Conditions
The game will be played indoors at Ford Field; however, for those attending, the weather in Detroit on January 18 is as follows:
Currently 37° · Heavy snow
Detroit, MI, United States
 11 AM | 35° | Showers |
 12 PM | 33° | Rain |
 1 PM | 31° | Cloudy |
| 2 PM | 32° | Cloudy |
| 3 PM | 32° | Cloudy |
| 4 PM | 30° | Cloudy |
| 5 PM | 29° | Cloudy |
| 6 PM | 27° | Cloudy |
 7 PM | 27° | Intermittent clouds |
| 8 PM | 26° | Intermittent clouds |
| 9 PM | 25° | Intermittent clouds |
| 10 PM | 24° | Intermittent clouds |
| 11 PM | 23° | Intermittent clouds |
Key Matchups to Watch
- Jayden Daniels vs. Lions’ Defense: Daniels’ mobility and clutch performance have been pivotal for the Commanders. The Lions’ defense, despite injuries, will need to contain Daniels, especially on critical downs.
- Lions’ Offensive Line vs. Commanders’ Pass Rush: With guard Kevin Zeitler ruled out, the Lions’ offensive line faces a challenge. The Commanders’ defense will look to exploit this, aiming to disrupt Goff’s rhythm.
Conclusion
This matchup features the top-seeded Lions against the resilient Commanders, who have thrived in high-pressure situations. Both teams bring unique strengths: the Lions with their high-powered offense and the Commanders with their clutch performances. Fans can anticipate a competitive and thrilling game as these teams vie for a spot in the NFC Championship.
The Dart Throw: The head coach will determine the winner of this game. They both make some bad decisions in crunch time. Dan Quinn and Dan Campbell are both quality coaches. Their teams reflect their coaching. However, they sometimes throw common sense out the window. They continuously make questionable calls on offense when the chips are down. Handicappers Hideaway looks for a shootout in the second half. The Detroit Lions will win 34-31. Dan Quinn, of the Washington Commanders, decides to go for it on 4th down to win the game. He chooses this instead of tying the game and going into overtime.
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