Injuries plague both teams as Lions face Commanders, seeking redemption after last year's playoff stunner in a historic 93-year rivalry.
Who’s ready for the 49th clash between two storied franchises — the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders?
It might not be the epic duel fans expected heading into the season, with the injury bug biting hard on both sides. Both teams limp into Week 10, but no injury looms larger than that of Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This matchup was supposed to be the ultimate revenge game for Detroit after Washington shocked the Lions in last year’s playoff showdown at Ford Field. Detroit had battled all season to a 15-2 record, earning the NFC’s top seed — only to fall to the Commanders after a bye week.
Now, as the two meet again in this week’s Game of the Week, we’re getting Marcus Mariota versus a Lions offensive line so banged up it might feature a few fans from the stands.
Before diving into this week’s breakdown later this week, let’s take a trip through history and see how we got here — a rivalry that Washington currently leads, 32–16.
It All Started in Portsmouth
Before the Lions were the Lions, they were the Portsmouth Spartans — a small-town Ohio franchise that joined the NFL in the early 1930s. In 1932, the Spartans faced the Boston Braves (who would later become the Washington Redskins and eventually the Commanders).
That first matchup — a 10–0 Portsmouth win — sparked a rivalry now 93 years old.
1930s: Detroit 5–2
The Spartans/Lions dominated the early years, winning five of the first seven meetings. But once Boston moved to Washington in 1937, the tide began to turn.
1940s: Washington 5–1
Washington took firm control in the ‘40s, winning five of six matchups.
1950s–1960s: Split Eras
The teams traded blows in both decades, each finishing 1–1 in the ‘50s and ‘60s.
1970s: Washington Sweeps the Decade (5–0)
Washington won all five meetings, beginning what would become one of the most brutal streaks in NFL history — 18 straight wins over Detroit spanning from 1968 to 1997.
1980s: Washington 6–0 (Including a Playoff Beatdown)
The ‘80s didn’t treat Detroit much better. Washington won all six matchups, including a 1983 playoff rout. That one wasn’t close — a 77-yard pick-six by Jeris White opened the floodgates as Washington jumped to a 31–0 lead before the Lions managed a late score in garbage time.
1990s: Washington 6–1 (Including the 1991 NFC Championship)
Despite having Barry Sanders and one of their best teams ever, the Lions couldn’t get over the hump. Washington won six straight in the ‘90s, including a dominant NFC Championship Game win in 1991. Detroit finally broke the 18-game losing streak in 1999 behind Gus Frerotte, Herman Moore, and Luther Ellis.
2000s: Washington 4–2 (Including Another Playoff Loss)
The turn of the millennium brought no playoff redemption. Washington knocked off Detroit again in the postseason, led by Stephen Davis’ two early rushing touchdowns. The Lions’ lone bright spot came in 2009, when rookie Matthew Stafford ended a brutal multi-season losing streak for Detroit with a win over Washington.
2010s: Detroit 3–1
Finally, the tide turned. The Lions took three of four from Washington, with Stafford going a perfect 4–0 as a starter. The only Lions' loss coming with Jeff Driskel under center.
2020s: Detroit 2–1 (Including Last Year’s Playoff Loss)
The modern era has favored Detroit — until last season’s devastating playoff defeat. The Commanders’ 2024 postseason upset still stings, and the Lions will be looking for payback in Week 10.
A Rivalry Renewed
Washington still holds the upper hand in the all-time series (32–16), including a perfect 4–0 record in the playoffs. But recent history has swung in Detroit’s favor — and this week, the Lions will look to add one more notch in their climb to even the score.