With a trip to the NFC Championship game on the line, and just two wins away from a berth in Super Bowl LIX the Washington Commanders head to Detroit on Saturday. They’ll clash with the Detroit Lions, fresh off their first-round bye with kickoff slated for 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Let’s take a look at this Commanders-Lions preview and predictions.
After going just 4-13 in 2023, Washington fired their coaching staff and set out to start over. They brought in Dan Quinn, a head coach who led Atlanta to the Super Bowl. Drafted Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU and made a flurry of other moves. Now after a 12-5 season that earned them a berth as a wild card, they’ve advanced past the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a late field goal. They find themselves a win away from the NFC title game.
The Lions had their best regular season in franchise history going 15-2 and securing the #1 overall seed in the NFC. After a huge win against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18, they had last week off to rest up and prepare. It was much-needed rest for the beat-up squad. Kevin Zeitler, Ennis Rakestraw, and a handful of other players remain questionable. The good news is David Montgomery and Terrion Arnold were both full participants in Wednesday’s practice. A good sign that both will be available on Saturday.
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions Preview and Predictions Video
Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions Preview and Predictions
Tim Patrick Over 16.5 Receiving Yards (-110)
I know there are a lot of players you could go to in this game that are flashy. The least flashy of them may be Tim Patrick, but that’s what we love about him. Here at SGPN, he’s made us a lot of money this season. As you’ll see in my next bet, I expect the Lions to roll in this game and march down the field at will. Patrick has been part of the Lions game plan, and they are going to want to strike to him early as they look to quiet the Commanders.
Just a casual +6000 Tim Patrick 2 TDs from @kramercentric @seantgreen #DetroitPride
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— Sports Gambling Podcast ™ (@GamblingPodcast) December 6, 2024
Patrick was just a yard short of this number in their game against Minnesota in Week 18, but down the stretch, he was a key piece in the Lions’ offense. In five of the Lions’ last eight games, Patrick passed this number and eight times in total this season. Patrick’s 22/1 first touchdown and 45/1 2+ touchdowns are also must-plays.
Detroit Lions -8.5 (-108)
The Commanders winning 12 games, and a playoff game in the first season of their rookie quarterback after a four-win season last year was an impressive feat. However, now they are going up against the best team in the NFC. Coming off a week of rest and it’s a team that’s beat up on teams all season.
The Lions are 12-4-1 ATS, the best record in the NFL. Three times this season they’ve been favorites of nine points or more and gone 2-1, the one loss coming to divisional opponent Chicago Bears. However, they’ve beaten teams by more than eight points in eight of their last 14 games. Once they step on a team’s throat, they don’t let up. The Lions roar to the NFC Championship with a convincing win on Saturday.
