The Detroit Lions were one of the best teams in the NFL in the 2024 regular season. They came out on top in all but two of their 17 contests and finished with the best record of any team in the NFC.
Soon, the Lions will have a chance to prove that all their regular-season success wasn’t just a fluke. The team has a playoff game against the Washington Commanders slated for Jan. 18.
Ahead of that important matchup for Detroit, Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared a non-negotiable that he seeks out of those who don blue and white jerseys.
Dan Campbell on the one non-negotiable he looks for in players: "You got to be competitive. That maybe a no-shit statement. … (but) it’s hard to teach somebody to be competitive. You either have it or don’t."
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) January 16, 2025
Unfortunately for the Lions, they will take on a Commanders squad that’s been red-hot over the past month-plus. Washington has won each of its past six contests, including a wild-card victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by a final score of 23-20 on Jan. 12.
Washington ended the regular season on such a high note behind consistently great performances on the offensive side of the ball. The Commanders have scored 20-plus points in every game during their winning streak, with their most prolific scoring showing coming when they dropped 42 against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 1.
A loss for the Lions would mark the end of another playoff stint for the team. Detroit fell to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game in last year’s playoffs after the team finished the 2023 regular season with 12 victories.
In fact, the Lions have made zero Super Bowl appearances in franchise history and have a lengthy history of coming up short in the playoffs. A year ago, Detroit won its first playoff game since all the way back in 1991.
Lions fans are surely hoping that the team will shake off its playoff demons and reach the Super Bowl for the first time ever in the near future. But before Detroit can make history with a run to the Super Bowl, they first need to take care of business against a Commanders team that has been lighting up opponents as of late.
Folks should have their calendars circled for Saturday with all the interesting storylines from both teams heading into the game.
