Detroit Lions news: Ben Johnson, Duce Staley, Zach Ertz, statistical edges vs. 49ers?

The Detroit Lions universe is centered on Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers this week, as it should be. Any talk of offseason stuff can for the most part wait, though the specter of losing one or both coordinators to a head coaching job lingers.

But there are things going on, so let's look at some Lions news and rumors on the Thursday before the NFC title game.

Ben Johnson a 'lock' for the Commanders' job?

On his WFAN morning show Wednesday morning, Boomer Esiason declared Lions' offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be the next head coach of the Washington Commanders.

"I’ll tell you who the best coach available is…….his name is Ben Johnson; he’s the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions,” Esiason said.

"Runs an unbelievable offense, but he’s going to be the next head coach of the Commanders, I told ya.”

Esiason’s co-host asked him: “So, you’re telling me that’s a lock?”

“Yeah,” Esiason replied. When pressed again, Esiason said, “Yes.”

Johnson has gotten plenty of traction as the favorite for the job in Washington. Esiason took it a step further by declaring it a lock when pushed a little, presumably with someone he trusts telling him so if he went on his well-listened -o radio show in the New York market with it. The Commanders have asked for an in-person interview, which can happen next week, and it may be a simple formality to lock him in as the hire once they can get it done officially.