Series Thread: Forecast Friday: Lions

[Stymietee]

The Washington Commanders have a strong playoff record against the Detroit Lions, boasting a perfect 3-0 record in their playoff matchups. Here’s a quick rundown of those encounters:

1. 1982 NFC Wild Card Game: Washington triumphed over Detroit with a score of 31-7.
2. 1991 NFC Championship Game: Washington dominated Detroit with a 41-10 victory, eventually winning Super Bowl XXVI.
3. 1999 NFC Wild Card Round: Washington secured a win with a score of 27-13.

The teams are set to face each other again tomorrow in the divisional round at Ford Field, Detroit. Can Washington maintain their streak, or will Detroit break it?
Knowing this history the oddsmakers have appointed the Lions as 9.5-point favorites as I post this. Still, I believe that they are dismissing the ascendency of the Commanders, but I will not be as dismissive. To me, this looks a lot like their game against the Bengals who were 7.5-point favorites early in the season with the oddsmakers relying upon the offense heave Bengals and not quite sure what to make of Daniels, Kingsbury, and the not-then-tested or proven Washington offense. The Commanders are now the talk of the league and the surprise entrant of these playoffs and although I believe that their magic ride ends on Saturday, that 9.5-point difference is where the oddsmakers miss, and, it becomes a closer, much more competitive game than they're predicting. Let's take a look at the particulars:



Here's what they're saying...



While I don't think they're wrong, I see this as a much closer game. Here's how I visualize the game playing out:

First Quarter
The game kicks off with the Lions receiving the ball. They start their drive at the 25-yard line.
Jared Goff completes a 12-yard pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown for a first down.
Jahmyr Gibbs breaks through the Commanders’ defense with a 23-yard run, putting the Lions in field-goal range.
The Lions' drive stalls at the 18-yard line. They settle for a 35-yard field goal. Score:

Jayden Daniels and the Commanders begin their drive at the 20-yard line. Daniels completes a 15-yard pass to Terry McLaurin for a first down.
Commanders move into Lions’ territory with a 10-yard run by Brian Robinson Jr..
Daniels is sacked forcing a 3rd & 15.
The Commanders fail to convert and punt the ball back to the Lions.

Second Quarter
Goff leads the Lions on a methodical drive, featuring a key 18-yard reception by Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Lions finish the drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Goff to St. Brown.

The Commanders start at their 25-yard line. Daniels completes a deep 35-yard pass to Dyami Brown.
Commanders' drive ends with a 3-yard touchdown run by Robinson Jr.

The Lions' drive is halted by a Commanders' defense, forcing a punt.
Commanders take over at their 30-yard line. Daniels scrambles for a 12-yard gain.
Commanders tie the game with a 27-yard field goal.

Halftime
The Lions and Commanders head to the locker rooms with the score tied at 10-10.

Third Quarter
Commanders receive the second-half kickoff.
Daniels completes a 20-yard pass to McLaurin, moving the ball to the Lions' 35-yard line.
Commanders take their first lead with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to Robinson Jr.

Goff responds with a clutch 45-yard screen pass to Gibbs.
The Lions tie the game with a 12-yard touchdown run by Gibbs.

Commanders are forced to punt after a three-and-out.
Lions regain the lead with a 38-yard field goal. Score:

Fourth Quarter
The Commanders drive down the field, highlighted by a 25-yard reception to OZ.
Commanders tie the game with a 33-yard field goal.

Goff is intercepted by Commanders' safety Jeremy Chinn at the Lions' 45-yard line.
Commanders capitalize with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to McLaurin.

Lions drive down the field with a series of short passes and a 15-yard run by Gibbs.
Goff connects with St. Brown for a 9-yard touchdown.

Commanders are forced to punt after a failed third-down conversion. (drop by Ertz)

Lions drive to the Commanders' 25-yard line, setting up a potential game-winning field goal.
Lions' kicker nails a 42-yard field goal as time expires. The final Score: Lions 30, Commanders 27.
Enjoy the Game Everyone!



They've had their say, I've had mine, now what do you predict?... You know the drill! Good luck!

1. Who wins this game?

2. Final score?

3. Player(s) of the game?

4. Memorial moment, event, or play, that will have everyone talking on Sunday morning and the rest of the week?

 

[skinz2winz]

Well, cannot say I don't agree on your score however, Skins "shock" the Football world with a 30-27 win as time expires.

They've had their say, I've had mine, now what do you predict?... You know the drill! Good luck!

1. Who wins this game? Washington maintains its playoff streak vs Detroit

2. Final score? 30-27

3. Player(s) of the game? JD5 & Scary Terry

4. Memorial moment, event, or play, that will have everyone talking on Sunday morning and the rest of the week? Z. Gonzales 55 yarder as time expires and the whole team bum rushes the field and its a PILE ON Gonzales of epic proportions. Lol!

 

[Stymietee]

Well, cannot say I don't agree on your score however, Skins "shock" the Football world with a 30-27 win as time expires.

They've had their say, I've had mine, now what do you predict?... You know the drill! Good luck!

1. Who wins this game? Washington maintains its playoff streak vs Detroit

2. Final score? 30-27

3. Player(s) of the game? JD5 & Scary Terry

4. Memorial moment, event, or play, that will have everyone talking on Sunday morning and the rest of the week? Z. Gonzales 55 yarder as time expires and the whole team bum rushes the field and its a PILE ON Gonzales of epic proportions. Lol!

Here's to hoping you're on point and I'm not with these predictions!!
( I would love to be wrong)

 

[skinsdad62]

i think roles are reversed from the previous lion losses to us in the playoffs

the lions are the better team and in the end it most likely will be shown

i have us losing 20 to 16 as we fall short on our final drive

our lack of discipline on defense will be our downfall and the lions defense will be inspired by their home crowd

without our running game too much will be asked of JD5

player of the game JD5

memorable moment , our hole season

 

[deanpet21]

i think roles are reversed from the previous lion losses to us in the playoffs

the lions are the better team and in the end it most likely will be shown

i have us losing 20 to 16 as we fall short on our final drive

our lack of discipline on defense will be our downfall and the lions defense will be inspired by their home crowd

without our running game too much will be asked of JD5

player of the game JD5

memorable moment , our hole season

low scoring game? wow.