(Detroit) The Detroit Lions are at the top of their game, elevated to a status they never had as Super Bowl favorites.
Posted at 8:53 p.m.
Larry Lage
Associated Press
The Detroit squad will host the Washington Commanders on Saturday evening in the National Association semi-finals. She is the top seed for the first time in her history and has achieved this advantage thanks to 15 victories, which is a team record.
The Lions (15-2) are favored to beat the Commanders (13-5) by more than a touchdown, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, and they want to take the first step toward ending a 68-year championship drought. NFL.
“We were the hunters and now we are the hunted in the lion’s den,” said star safety Kerby Joseph.
The Lions hold the best chance to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy, according to BetMGM, ahead of the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills.
Head coach Dan Campbell knows this is just the latest analysis on his team, however.
“We’ve been so good, we’ve been so bad, we’re a laughingstock, now we’re great,” said Campbell, who was 4-18-1 more than a year into his tenure. of four seasons. It’s just a roller coaster of ups and downs. This is nothing new for me, for the coaches, for the players. We are in the middle of the circus and it is time to perform. »
Meanwhile, the Commanders have nothing to lose.
-With new quarterbacks, head coaches and general managers, the Washington team was only projected to win six games.
Jayden Daniels had other ideas in mind.
PHOTO PETER JONELEIT, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jayden Daniels
When trailing in the fourth quarter, Daniels posted the highest total in season and playoff victories by a quarter since the start of the 1950 season (six). This was also the case last week, in Tampa, when the Commanders won their first playoff game in 19 years.
Daniels became the first rookie in NFL history to lead his team in rushing yards and air yards in a playoff victory. He also became the first rookie quarterback to throw at least two touchdown passes in a road playoff win since Sammy Baugh in 1937.
The Commanders think it would be stupid to count them defeated.
“Even before the season, they pushed us aside, and again many times during the season,” said running back Brian Robinson Jr.. We see it. We feel this energy. We just want to continue to leave no doubt that we are who we say we are. We want to prove people wrong. »
