The Washington Commanders were one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 NFL regular season, and they will face the Detroit Lions and their NFL-best scoring offense in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Washington beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round by a 23-20 score thanks to a game-winning field goal as time expired.
The Lions earned the NFC's first-round bye after a Week 18 win over their NFC North rival Minnesota Vikings, and they look set to have running back David Montgomery back from injury for this contest.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions will be broadcast on FOX, which can be viewed through linear or cable TV and streamed via live TV streaming apps such as YouTubeTV or FuboTV.
Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions is scheduled to start at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT/5 PM PT on Saturday, January 18th from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
Read the latest betting picks and predictions Commanders vs. Lions on site.
On Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell and on taking anything he’s done in Detroit to implement in Washington: “Well, one, I think he's done a fantastic job. And so, just, you see the play style and the identity and those are the things as a coach, that you're really want to make sure that it's rock solid and crystal clear."
On how he feels towards the end of close games: “No, it's awesome. It's like the best part of coaching, because it's right with everything on the line. And it's my most favorite part of it all. Being 10 toes down with guys that you really love and care about, it's the best."
On playing a team coming off of extra rest and on preparing for Detroit to bring out looks Washington hasn’t seen before: “No different from our end and just in terms of the what if’s, you don't go there. They've got a huge playbook, so for us to draw some stuff up in the dirt and say, ‘This might happen.’ Like, no way [laughs], no can do. And so, there's plenty of stuff that they have that we've got to really be rock solid and ready. Run game’s excellent, the play-pass that goes off of that is excellent."
On if the first playoff game felt any different compared to the regular season and on if anything has changed throughout the week: “Nah, it's just another game to me. Obviously, everybody puts the implications and makes it bigger than what it really is. But at the end of the day, it's still the game."
On having the chance to win in the final minutes: “I mean, it's like kind of what [Head Coach Dan Quinn] said, it’s what you live for. That's what you kind of play the sport for, to when it's time, to go out there and make plays. You're going to see who rises to the occasion and make plays. So, we kind of thrive there."
On the last time he was nervous on a football field: “I don't know. I don't want to say nervous, but I think you just get butterflies. My dad always told me you get butterflies, that means you're alive, but it's not necessarily nervous because I'm always prepared.”