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Where to watch Lions vs. Commanders playoff game: TV channel, time, live stream

Jack McKessy   Paste BN
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The Detroit Lions are one win away from reaching the NFC championship game for a second straight season. Imagine telling that to any Lions fan three years ago.

Standing in their way are the Washington Commanders, a team that completed an even faster turnaround after a four-win season a year ago. Washington won its wild-card clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thanks to the outstanding performance of rookie quarterback phenom Jayden Daniels (and some help from the right upright on a game-winning field goal attempt).

This weekend, the Commanders will travel to Detroit to face a Lions team coming out of their bye week rested, refreshed and holding a home-field advantage.

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Here's what to know about Saturday night's divisional round matchup:

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Where to watch Lions vs. Commanders game today

The Lions and Commanders will meet in the second matchup of the divisional round on Saturday night in Detroit.

What channel is Lions vs. Commanders tonight?

Fox owns the broadcast rights to Lions vs. Commanders, so fans can watch the game on their local Fox affiliate on Saturday night.

Lions vs. Commanders live stream free

Fans who prefer to stream Lions vs. Commanders can do so with a subscription to live TV and sports streaming provider Fubo.

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Lions vs. Commanders predictions

  • Lions 34, Commanders 24

The Commanders will travel to Ford Field for the Lions' first playoff game this season. Detroit had last week off after earning the No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history (and the first-round bye that came with it) with its franchise-record 15 regular-season wins.

Any concerns about how injuries have affected and will continue to affect the Lions defense should be diminished after their performance in Week 18. In a must-win game against the Minnesota Vikings to determine the NFC's top seed, Detroit held the high-powered, Kevin O'Connell-designed offense to nine points, in part by keeping quarterback Sam Darnold uncomfortable.

This week, the Lions will host a Commanders team led by a talented rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels, fresh off of his first career playoff win – and a win on the road, no less. Daniels, unlike Darnold, has thrived against the blitz this season, and is a far more mobile quarterback than his Vikings counterpart.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will have to change up his game plan against Washington's offense. But even if his plan doesn't come to fruition with Detroit having lost so many impact players to injuries, Detroit can still find a path to victory on the back of its offense, which led the league in scoring this year.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off of a four-touchdown game in Week 18. Quarterback Jared Goff was the most efficient quarterback in the NFL this year by EPA/play and completion rate over expected, and he'll get to throw to dynamic pass-catchers Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick and Sam LaPorta.

Given Washington's struggles in defending the pass, even with cornerback Marshon Lattimore returning for last week's wild card game, the Lions will have a chance to feast on Saturday night.

Lions vs. Commanders odds

The Lions are heavy favorites to defeat the Commanders, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.

  • Spread: Lions (-9.5)
  • Moneyline: Lions (-550); Commanders (+400)
  • Over/under: 55.5

Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered for the divisional round.

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FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week

Lions vs. Commanders stats, history

The Commanders and Lions have faced off 47 times in their respective histories, and Washington holds the 31-16 edge in those matchups. However, the Lions have won six of their last seven clashes, dating back to 2009 and including their last face-off in 2022.

The aforementioned 47 previous matchups between these two teams includes three playoff games. Washington won all three previous postseason meetings: in a 1982 wild-card game, 1991 NFC championship game and in a 1999 wild-card game.

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Lions vs. Commanders play-by-play

You can follow the Lions and Commanders play-by-play here.

NFL playoff picture

Here's the full, finalized NFL playoff picture after the conclusion of the regular season:

AFC

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (15-2, AFC West winners)
  2. Buffalo Bills (13-4, AFC East winners)
  3. Baltimore Ravens (12-5, AFC North winners)
  4. Houston Texans (10-7, AFC South winners)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6, wild card No. 1)
  6. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7, wild card No. 2)
  7. Denver Broncos (10-7, wild card No. 3)

NFC

  1. Detroit Lions (15-2, NFC North winners)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3, NFC East winners)
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7, NFC South winners)
  4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7, NFC West winners)
  5. Minnesota Vikings (14-3, wild card No. 1)
  6. Washington Commanders (12-5, wild card No. 2)
  7. Green Bay Packers (11-6, wild card No. 3)

NFL playoffs schedule

The NFL playoffs kicked off on Saturday, Jan. 11, and they'll conclude on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.

Wild card round

All times Eastern

Saturday, Jan. 11

Sunday, Jan. 12

Monday, Jan. 13

Divisional round

Saturday, Jan. 18

Sunday, Jan. 19

NFL conference championship round

Sunday, Jan. 26

  • NFC championship game: 3 p.m.
  • AFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.

Super Bowl 59

  • Date: Feb. 9, 2025
  • Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
  • Time: 6:30 p.m.
  • TV: FOX

NFL games today on TV

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans

  • Location: Kansas City, Missouri
  • Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
  • Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
  • Channel: ESPN/ABC
  • Streaming: ESPN+; Fubo

The Texans and Chiefs kick off the divisional round of the NFL playoffs with the first game of the second round on Saturday. Kansas City will play host as the winners of the AFC West and holders of the top seed in the conference.

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