The Detroit Lions have waited nearly a year for this game. After falling to the Washington Commanders in last season’s divisional round, Detroit gets its long-awaited shot at revenge Sunday — and a chance to get its season back on track.
After a gut-wrenching loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the Detroit Lions are on a mission to right the ship this week when they take on the Washington Commanders. It’s not just another game on the schedule — it’s personal. Detroit still remembers how last season ended, with Washington knocking them out in the divisional round of the playoffs. This Sunday, the Lions finally get their shot at revenge.
The Commanders, though, won’t look much like the team that ended Detroit’s postseason dreams. Washington has been absolutely ravaged by injuries this year, and the latest blow came in last week’s Monday Night Football matchup. Starting quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a serious arm injury that will sideline him indefinitely. For a player who’s quickly become one of the league’s most electrifying dual threats, it’s a devastating loss, not just for the team, but for fans hoping for another Daniels-versus-Detroit showdown.
And it doesn’t stop there. Star wideout Terry McLaurin has been dealing with nagging leg issues and is expected to miss Sunday’s game as well. In that same game against Seattle, the Commanders also lost receiver Luke McCaffrey and cornerback Marshon Lattimore to season-ending injuries. Losing three starters in one night is brutal for any team, but for Washington, it’s catastrophic.
The Commanders will turn to veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, who’s seen just about everything in his 11-year career. Mariota is now on his fifth NFL team, and while he’s not the same dynamic player he was early in his career, he brings leadership and poise to the huddle. Through four games this season, he’s 1–3 with five total touchdowns, four interceptions, and a completion percentage hovering near a career low. He’s no Jayden Daniels, but his experience could help steady a team desperately trying to stay afloat.
Washington chose not to make any moves at the trade deadline, opting to roll with the roster they have. It’s a risky move given the injury situation, but head coach Dan Quin has always prided his team on toughness and resilience.
Detroit, however, isn’t exactly at full strength either. Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that safety Kerby Joseph’s knee injury is “taking a little longer than expected” to heal — not exactly the news Lions fans wanted to hear. Left tackle Taylor Decker was visibly limping in the loss to Minnesota and hasn’t practiced this week, a strong indication he’ll be sidelined. The offensive line took another hit when right guard Christian Mahogany was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury, and backup tackle Dan Skipper missed Wednesday’s practice with a back issue.
There is a glimmer of hope, though. Rookie fifth-round pick Miles Frazier returned to practice and appears ready to contribute. With the offensive line battered and bruised, any reinforcements are more than welcome.
Despite the injury concerns, the Lions enter the matchup as 8.5-point favorites, according to most sportsbooks. But if last week’s loss taught them anything, it’s that no game is guaranteed — even when the odds are in their favor. Detroit was favored by 9.5 points at home against Minnesota and still came up short.
This week isn’t just about getting back in the win column. It’s about redemption. The Lions have a chance to shake off a tough loss, silence their critics, and avenge last year’s playoff heartbreak. If they can do that, they’ll remind the NFC, and themselves, that they’re still very much a force to be reckoned with.