DETROIT – During the NFL Wild Card Round, the Washington Commanders took down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20 inside Raymond James Stadium.
The victory didn’t come without the dramatics, as kicker Zane Gonzalez nailed a 37-yard field off the right goalpost before ricocheting off and landing through the left side of the uprights for the win.
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DOINKED IT IN FOR THE DUB!!!!!
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 13, 2025
📺 #WASvsTB @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/3WvqkokVMV
After the win, the fans stormed the concourse and chanted that they wanted Detroit.
“We got some things to clean up, but playing Detroit, they’re the No. 1 seed for a reason,” said wide receiver Terry McLaurin. “They got our respect, but there’s a reason we say ‘Anywhere, anytime, anyplace.’”
The No. 6 seeded Commanders as an organization are undefeated against the Detroit Lions as they’ve played three times.
The last time they played each other in the playoffs was in the Wild Card Round in 1999, when Washington won 27-13 at home.
Washington eliminated Detroit in the NFC Championship game back in 1991 during a home beatdown, winning 41-10 to advance to the Super Bowl.
Before that, they eliminated the Lions in the 1982 strike-shorten season 31-7 inside Robert F. Kennedy Stadium.
Read: Detroit Lions expect key reinforcements back for NFL Divisional Round vs. CommandersCommanders'
Michigan State Spartans legend and NBA icon Erving “Magic” Johnson spoke after the game alongside investor Josh Harris about the Commanders' victory as they’re pumped about heading to Detroit as well.
“New vision, new owner with a strategy, picking the right people, like first, our coach, coach (Dan) Quinn, Adam Peters, and then we all step out of the way and let them do their job,” said Johnson. "
“Talent, culture, and people,” said Harris. “We’ll see you guys in Detroit.”
Although the Commanders franchise has gotten the best of the Lions in the playoffs, the Lions have defeated them in six out of the last seven regular matchups dating back to 2009’s 19-14 victor.
The Lions are 8.5-point favorites in the matchup as the No. 1 seed. They’re a 15-2 squad coming off clinching the much-needed bye, locking up the best record in the conference, and capturing the NFC North Division crown for consecutive years.
Out of the four games being played this weekend, the spread looks to be the most lopsided odds for a chance to return to the NFC Championship game since 1991.
The injury-plagued Lions are expected to get reinforcements back this week, including some big names like running back David Montgomery, guard Kevin Zeitler, and cornerbacks Ennis Rakestraw Jr. and Terrion Arnold.
Kickoff is at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, inside Ford Field, where the rabid fans will look to break decibel levels.
