Lions Eye Historic Super Bowl Run as Underdog Commanders Look to Shock the NFL

DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions are soaring, reaching a historic milestone as Super Bowl favorites.

On Saturday night, Detroit will face the Washington Commanders in the divisional round as the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history, a position secured by their record-setting 15-win season.

The Lions (15-2) are favored by more than a touchdown over Washington (13-5), according to BetMGM Sportsbook, as they aim to end their NFL championship drought dating back to 1957.

“We were the hunters, and now we’re the hunted in the lions’ den,” said All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph.

BetMGM lists Detroit with the best odds to win the Lombardi Trophy, ahead of the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills.

However, head coach Dan Campbell remains grounded.

“We’ve been so good, we’ve been so bad, we’ve been a laughingstock, and now we’re great,” said Campbell, who started his tenure with a 4-18-1 record. “It’s been a roller coaster. For me, the coaches, and the players, this is nothing new. We’re in the middle of the circus, and it’s about time to perform.”

Meanwhile, Washington enters with nothing to lose. With a new quarterback, coach, and general manager, the Commanders were projected to win around six games. But rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels exceeded expectations.

Daniels led the league in fourth-quarter comeback victories in both the regular season and playoffs since 1950, helping his team win six games after trailing late, including last week’s wild-card victory in Tampa Bay — Washington’s first playoff win in 19 years.

Daniels made history as the first rookie quarterback to lead his team in both passing and rushing yards in a playoff victory and the first rookie to throw at least two touchdown passes in a road playoff win since Sammy Baugh in 1937.

The Commanders insist they won’t be underestimated.

“They wrote us off before the season and continued to count us out,” said running back Brian Robinson Jr. “We see that. We feel that energy. We just want to keep proving people wrong.”

Fourth Down Gambles

Campbell and Commanders coach Dan Quinn are among the most aggressive fourth-down decision-makers in the league. Detroit converted 22 of 33 fourth-down attempts, while Washington succeeded on 20 of 23, the highest rate (87%) since 2000.

The Lions have gone for it on fourth down a league-high 151 times over the past four seasons, with Campbell being the only coach since 1991 to attempt it so often within that span.

Washington converted three of five fourth-down attempts in their win against Tampa Bay, including a late touchdown pass from Daniels to Terry McLaurin.

“They’re excellent at it, and so are we,” said Quinn. “It’s going to be a big factor in the game.”

Prime Time Dominance

Detroit boasts an impressive 11-2 record in prime-time games under Campbell, a trend favoring the Lions in this Saturday night matchup.

“We thrive in this,” Campbell added.

Clutch Commanders

Washington has won five consecutive games on the final play, including last week’s game-winning field goal against Tampa Bay.

“That’s what you play for — those moments when it’s time to make plays,” Daniels said. “You’ll see who steps up when it matters.”

Rushing Reinforcements

Detroit’s strong ground game should receive a boost with the return of David Montgomery from a knee injury. He rejoins Jahmyr Gibbs in the backfield after combining for an average of 138.5 rushing yards per game during the regular season.

Washington, on the other hand, ranked among the worst in run defense, allowing 137.5 yards per game on the ground — 30th in the league.