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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It’s in situations like this we should remember the Commanders needed the miracle of all miracles to beat the Bears in the regular season.
It seems apparent that Washington will play its sixth straight game that will be decided on the final play from scrimmage.
WR Terry McLaurin’s 58-yard touchdown reception is the longest postseason touchdown reception since WR Ricky Sanders’ 80-yard touchdown reception on January 31, 1988 (the 1987 season).
The Commanders are averaging 7.8 yards per play. The Lions are averaging 9.0. Ben Johnson and Kliff Kingsbury are doing their jobs tonight.
TOUCHDOWN: Terry McLaurin to the house
The Commanders respond quickly. A pair of blocks bust open a screen pass for Terry McLaurin, who runs it all the way in from 58 yards out. We’ve got a football game here.
That’s a fun pick-up by the Fox broadcast. Lions tackle Dan Skipper reported as eligible and ran a route. The Commanders opted to double-team him.
He didn’t just catch it one-handed, he tucked it in mid-air one-handed.
TOUCHDOWN: Sam LaPorta with a bonkers one-handed catch
What a play by Sam LaPorta, who gives the Lions the lead back with a wild one-handed catch. It took an impressive play from Jared Goff just to get it there too.
Lions have 1st-and-goal after a quick pass to Kalif Raymond picks up 15 yards.
Amon-Ra St. Brown fights through defensive holding for a 34-yard gain. They might be losing, but the Lions keep picking up big plays.
TE Zach Ertz is being evaluated for a concussion and is questionable to return
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.
Rebecca Hurley is a news writer at Rebel Planet Dispatch, where she covers everything from arts and construction to automotive, travel, real estate, and fashion. She has been writing professionally since 2004 and has worked in a variety of different fields. Her hobbies include cooking, painting, drawing, and playing the saxophone.
