We move to the NFC for the second match in the Divisional Round of the NFL 2024 Playoffs as the number one seed in that Conference looks to make it into the Championship game when the Detroit Lions host the Washington Commanders.
The Lions have been the best team in the NFC this season and will be looking to prove that over the next two weeks to book their spot at the Super Bowl. Washington will be looking to pull off a major upset and move within a win of the big dance themselves.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions really rose to the cream of the crop over the course of the season. They were always out in front in the NFC North but such was the quality of the Minnesota Vikings that it wasn’t until the last week of the regular campaign before they win the NFC North title for a second year in succession. That might not be a bad thing though because it means that they had to play their starters two weeks ago so they haven’t had as long without their main men being on the field.
The Lions have been so good on both sides of the ball hence why many believe they will push on and win the Super Bowl this season. Their defence could have blown up when Aidan Hutchinson picked up his injury midway through the year but that hasn’t been the case and they can get the job done in the passing game or on the ground. That makes them particularly dangerous because they can control things when ahead but still win matches from behind.
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Washington Commanders
There was a lot of interest in the Washington Commanders at the start of the season. They had just picked up the number two draft pick in Jayden Daniels and there was a thought process that their division would be weaker this season with the demise of the Dallas Cowboys. That was the case with regards to the Cowboys but the Philadelphia Eagles had other ideas which meant that Washington could only secure a wildcard spot which meant that they went on the road last week.
The fact that they have been on the road and won already in this postseason has to bode well for them. They went to Tampa Bay and came out on top in a match where they dominated on defence and had more than enough on their offence to get the job done. They will need to go up a notch here but you would imagine with the confidence that they took from last week that will be perfectly possible. The Commanders aren’t expected to win so there is little pressure on them.
Betting
It is hard to see the Washington Commanders not having to go to the passing game for lengthy periods of this one. They are a 10 point underdog so they are expected to be behind and they are going to have a tough time stopping this Detroit Lions running game so I’m expecting to see a fair bit of passing for the visitors here. The bookmakers have fair lines for Jayden Daniels’ passing yards and the receiving yards for Terry McLaurin but Olamide Zaccheaus might be going under the radar.
He has a receiving yards line of 33.5 for this match and although he had a quiet week last week, the Tampa Bay defence is a pretty good one. The Detroit passing defence isn’t as good, or at least it hasn’t been in recent weeks where teams have put up significant points against them. Zaccheaus didn’t cover this line last week but in the last four weeks of the regular season he caught for 36, 70, 85 and 51 yards with the latter when he was only in for some of the game. He has become a big part of the Commanders’ passing game and can cover this play in one catch but however many he needs I expect him to get to 34 yards.
Tips
Back O.Zaccheaus – Over 33.5 receiving yards for a 3/10 stake at 1.87 with Boylesports
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