You ever hear the saying, “Stats don’t lie”? Yeah, well, they might not lie, but they sure like to exaggerate sometimes. Numbers are only half the story when the Detroit Lions take on the Washington Commanders this Saturday at Ford Field. Kickoff’s at 8 p.m. on Fox, but before that, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty stats and rankings to see who might come out on top.
Spoiler alert: It’s closer than you think.
Offense: The Lions Roar or the Commanders Command?
Let’s start with the flashy stuff—offense. The Lions? Absolute beasts. They scored on 51.6% of their drives this season, tops in the NFL. Jared Goff (I mean, JA-RED GOFF!) is leading an aerial attack that’s averaging 263.2 passing yards per game, second only to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Oh, and their total yardage? A ridiculous 409.5 yards per game. That’s enough to make opposing defensive coordinators weep into their playbooks.
But hold up—Washington’s no slouch. Jayden Daniels has been running an efficient operation, too, with the Commanders scoring on 50% of their drives. Their run game is lethal, ranking third in the league with 154.1 rushing yards per game. They’re like that quiet kid in school who suddenly wins the talent show. Unexpected but dangerous.
Edge: Lions (barely). The Commanders’ run game is scary, but Detroit’s versatility is scarier.
Defense: Bend, Don’t Break?
Here’s where it gets spicy. The Lions’ defense? It’s like a mullet—business up front, party in the back. They’re great against the run, allowing just 98.4 yards per game (fifth in the league), but their pass defense… yikes. They’re giving up 244 passing yards per game, 30th in the league. Basically, if you’re a quarterback, you’re licking your chops against Detroit’s secondary.
Washington, though? Opposite problem. They’re elite against the pass (third in the league, allowing just 189.5 yards per game) but soft against the run, giving up a whopping 137.5 rushing yards per game. That’s 30th in the NFL—third-worst!
Edge: Split. If Detroit can run the ball effectively, it’s game over. If Washington forces Goff to throw into tight windows, watch out.
Situational Football: The Hidden Stats
Now let’s get nerdy with some situational stats. Third down? Detroit converts 47.6% of the time, fourth-best in the league. Washington’s right behind at 45.6%. Fourth down? The Commanders are kings, converting an insane 87% of their attempts. That’s not just gutsy; it’s borderline ridiculous.
On defense, the Lions shut teams down on third down, allowing a conversion rate of just 32.4%, the best in the NFL. Washington? Middle of the pack at 38.2%.
Edge: Lions. When it comes to the clutch, Detroit shines brighter.
The Blitz Battle
Both defenses love to bring the heat. Detroit blitzes on 34.6% of plays, second in the league, while Washington’s not far behind at 31.5%. The problem? Washington gets home more often, racking up 43 sacks to Detroit’s 37. And with both offensive lines showing cracks—33 sacks allowed for the Lions, 50 for the Commanders—this game might be decided in the trenches.
Edge: Commanders. If they can get to Goff early and often, it could be a long night for Detroit.
So, who’s better? Honestly, it’s a toss-up. Detroit’s offense is electric, and their run defense is rock-solid, but Washington has a knack for keeping games close with their opportunistic defense and bruising ground game.
If the Lions can protect Goff and exploit Washington’s leaky run defense, they should take this one. But if the Commanders force turnovers and control the clock with their rushing attack, the upset’s in play.
Bottom line: Saturday’s game is gonna be a nail-biter. And I, for one, am here for every second of it.
