Detroit Lions vs. Washington: Week 10 game preview

The 3-5 Detroit Lions will look to pounce on the 2-6 Washington Football Team

After another defeat, the Detroit Lions get an opponent in the Washington Football Team who has only won two games so far this season. With the Lions facing a weaker opponent in Washington, they will look for the opportunity to grab a win.

This article will take a look at the matchup history between Washington and Detroit, their last matchup, what to watch for, what the Lions need to do to win and a prediction for the game.

Matchup history

These two teams have played each other a grand total of 45 times with three of those matchups coming in the playoffs. Washington has the lead with a 31-14 record. Despite the 45 previous matchups, this will be the first time that the Lions face Washington without the Redskins moniker.

Last matchup

The Lions played Washington last season on the road and lost 19-16. Quarterback Jeff Driskel threw for 207 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions.

Running back Bo Scarbrough rushed for 98 yards on 18 carries while Driskel ran them ball himself seven times getting 63 yards. In the air, wide receiver Kenny Golladay led all Lions players with 61 yards on four catches while tight end Logan Thomas got the touchdown.

Cornerback Armani Oruwariye got five tackles (all solo) with an interception and the Lions as a team got three sacks. Kicker Matt Prater was three for four on field goal attempts but made a successful one of 49 yards.

Quarterback Dwayne Haskins threw for 156 yards and an interception. Running back Adrian Peterson who played for Washington last season got 27 yards on 10 carries against the Lions.

Wide receiver Terry McLaurin got 72 reception yards on five catches and Kelvin Harmon caught three passes for 43 yards. Peterson caught a 22 yard pass.

Defensively, safety Landon Collins got 10 tackles (eight solo) and Washington got six total sacks as a team. Kicker Dustin Hopkins was a perfect four for four on field goal attempts with his longest one being 42 yards.

What to watch for

With Haskins underperforming and quarterback Kyle Allen potentially unavailable to play due to injury, Washington will probably start Alex Smith under center. In case you don’t remember, Smith suffered a gruesome leg injury in 2018 that was life threatening. Will the Lions front seven be comfortable going all out when attempting to sack Smith?

You would think that defensive players that face Smith wouldn’t care about this but before these people are athletes, they are human beings and no one would want to bare the responsibility of ending someone’s career or life because of an injury they caused.

Keys to the game/What the Lions need to do to win

If the Lions are looking for their fourth win, they need to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford. What I mean by that is the offensive line needs to prevent Washington’s front seven from getting to Stafford.

Washington has a dynamic front seven that features dynamic defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat on the edges. Washington is so loaded up front that defensive end Ryan Kerrigan who has 94.5 career sacks to his name, is not even a starter.

Prediction

Washington (2-6) is one of a few teams that have less or the same amount of wins as the Lions do. As each team is hoping to improve their win total by one, it will be a hard fought game coming from both sides with the Lions emerging victorious. Final score: Lions 27, Washington 17