The Lions finally have their first win of the year and it came with a 50-yard touchdown run, a dominant run defense and a statement performance from rookie Derrick Moore.
It’s official, the Detroit Lions have won their first game of the year, defeating the Washington Commanders 17-13 in their second preseason game of the year.
The play of the game came when quarterback Josh Dobbs took a read-option 50 yards to the end zone. The explosive run helped Detroit finish with an impressive rushing performance, totaling 35 carries for 169 yards and one touchdown.
Juice Scruggs started at center and continues to make a strong case to be Detroit’s Week 1 starter while Cade Mays recovers from his wrist injury. Several starters also saw action on defense, including defensive lineman Tyleik Williams, edge rusher D.J. Wonnum, guard Tate Ratledge, cornerback D.J. Reed and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
Second-round pick Derrick Moore also made his NFL debut and immediately impressed. Moore finished with two solo tackles and an impressive strip-sack, giving Lions fans plenty to be excited about.
Detroit recorded six quarterback hits, with Moore, Wonnum, Eric O’Neill, Malcolm Rodriguez, Skylar Gill-Howard and Ahmed Hassanein each getting credited with one.
The Lions’ run defense was also impressive, holding Washington to just 17 carries for 35 yards. Commanders starting quarterback Jayden Daniels played only one drive and attempted just one pass, which fell incomplete.
Dobbs and Luke Altmyer both had inconsistent performances through the air. Altmyer finished with the better stat line, completing 9 of 13 passes for 86 yards and an 87.3 passer rating. Dobbs went 7-for-12 for 74 yards, one interception and a 41.7 passer rating.
Detroit’s defense allowed just six points, with Washington’s other touchdown coming from its defense.
The Lions trailed 13-7 before taking a 14-13 lead. Detroit then added a late fourth-quarter field goal to extend its advantage to 17-13 and secure the victory.
While there were plenty of positives, the offensive line struggled throughout the game. Detroit allowed five sacks and seven quarterback hits, while Washington’s defense also recorded nine tackles for loss. The pressure created problems for the Lions’ quarterbacks and limited the offense’s consistency.
After the game, Dan Campbell praised Detroit’s special teams and coverage units. He also said a number of players stepped up and made their presence felt throughout the game.
Overall, it was a solid win for Detroit. The Lions showed flashes on both sides of the ball, particularly with their rushing attack and run defense, while several young players made strong cases for roster spots heading into the final stretch of the preseason.
