The Lions’ offense struggled early, but Detroit’s defense came ready to play. After forcing Washington into a series of stalled drives, the game was tied 7-7 at halftime.
The Detroit Lions are coming off their first win of the season, defeating the Washington Commanders 17-13.
Detroit had announced earlier this week that Jared Goff would not be starting, and that Josh Dobbs would be named the starting quarterback, giving him his first real opportunity to win the QB2 job.
The game started off rough for Detroit. On the second play of the game, quarterback Josh Dobbs was sacked and fumbled, with the ball bouncing into the end zone where the Commanders recovered it for a touchdown.
On Detroit’s second drive, the Lions picked up one first down before Dobbs threw an interception on a pass intended for Tay Martin.
Washington’s first offensive drive stalled quickly. Jayden Daniels was sacked for a 10-yard loss and followed it with an incomplete pass, resulting in a three-and-out and a punt.
Detroit responded in impressive fashion, putting together a 90-yard touchdown drive capped by a 50-yard touchdown run from Dobbs on a read-option play. The explosive run tied the game at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
To begin the second quarter, Washington put together a lengthy 10-play, 38-yard drive that lasted 6 minutes, 44 seconds but ultimately ended with a punt.
The Lions responded with a long drive of their own, putting together a 13-play, 39-yard possession that lasted 7 minutes, 49 seconds. Despite taking three sacks, Luke Altmyer was able to rack up a solid chunk of his 86 passing yards on the day, completing two passes to Jackson Meeks for 21 yards and an 18-yard pass to Tyler Conklin.
Detroit reached the Commanders’ 37-yard line before suffering back-to-back sacks, knocking the Lions out of field-goal range and forcing them to punt.
Washington got the ball back with seven minutes remaining in the first half, but its six-play, 24-yard drive quickly stalled, forcing another punt.
Detroit then put together a seven-play, 35-yard drive that moved the ball down to the Commanders’ 37-yard line. Jake Bates attempted a 55-yard field goal but missed wide right, sending the Lions and Commanders into halftime tied 7-7.
Despite the early struggles from the offense, Detroit’s defense came to play. The Lions held Washington to no points from their offense and 57 total yards of offense through four drives in the first half. The Commanders’ biggest play was a 13-yard pass, as Detroit’s defense consistently kept Washington from generating explosive plays.
With the score tied at halftime, the Lions’ defense had already established itself as the biggest bright spot of the game.
