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Lions Begin Playoff Push Against Commanders in Divisional Round
The Detroit Lions (15-2) will host the Washington Commanders (12-5) in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs on Saturday night at Ford Field. The Lions, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, are looking to capitalize on a historic season and secure their first postseason win since 1991, while Washington aims to extend its Cinderella story behind rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
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Odds and Trends Favor the Lions
Detroit enters as 9-point favorites, with bettors heavily backing the Lions’ moneyline at -560. The total points line of 55.5 has seen strong support for the Over, as both teams feature offenses capable of producing fireworks.
Commanders’ Cinderella Run
Washington’s impressive turnaround has been fueled by Daniels, who threw 12 fourth-quarter touchdowns during the regular season and orchestrated a thrilling wild-card win over Tampa Bay. With poise beyond his years, Daniels has transformed the Commanders into legitimate contenders. Washington’s defense, led by veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, has also been a stabilizing force, but they’ll face their stiffest challenge yet against the Lions’ top-ranked scoring offense.
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Detroit’s Balanced Attack
The Lions’ offense, spearheaded by Jared Goff, running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, and All-Pro receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, is a juggernaut. With Montgomery returning to full strength, Detroit’s ground game adds a punishing element to complement Goff’s precision passing. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s creative play-calling has been a nightmare for opposing defenses, and Saturday will likely be no different.
Defensive Resilience Amid Injuries
Despite a rash of injuries, Detroit’s defense remains formidable, particularly on third downs. Led by coordinator Aaron Glenn, the unit has leaned on depth and man-to-man schemes to disrupt opponents. Washington’s offense will need another stellar performance from Daniels to counter the Lions’ aggressive approach.
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Prediction: Lions’ Firepower Too Much for Commanders
While Daniels has exceeded expectations, the Lions’ offensive balance and home-field advantage present a daunting challenge. Expect Detroit to control the tempo and capitalize on Washington’s vulnerabilities in a high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Lions 34, Commanders 24
