Lions Edge Commanders in Close Contest
Saturday, August 22, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Ford Field
Detroit Lions 17, Washington Commanders 13, final. Our NFL picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions?
Detroit Lions beat Washington Commanders 17-13 at Ford Field on August 22, 2026.
Who was favored in Washington Commanders vs Detroit Lions?
Detroit Lions were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -118 (about 54% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested game at Ford Field, the Detroit Lions emerged victorious over the Washington Commanders with a final score of 17-13. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as both teams entered the game with identical records of 1-1, making it a critical early-season clash for both sides. The Lions were looking to bounce back after a recent loss, while the Commanders aimed to build on their momentum from a two-game winning streak.
The Lions have had a mixed bag of results in their last ten games, holding a record of 4-6. They have averaged 25.6 points scored per game while allowing 25.1 points. Their most recent five games have seen them struggle, with a record of 1-4 and an average of 20.2 points scored against 25.0 points allowed. At home, the Lions have a record of 2-2, while they have fared better on the road with a 2-4 record. In their last meeting with the Commanders on November 9, 2025, the Lions won decisively with a score of 44-22.
On the other hand, the Commanders have also faced challenges, with a 3-7 record over their last ten games. They have averaged 18.9 points scored and allowed 26.0 points during this stretch. However, they have shown some improvement recently, winning their last two games. Their away record stands at 2-2, indicating they have been more competitive on the road than at home, where they hold a 1-5 record.
In terms of injuries, the Lions were notably impacted, with key players such as Isiah Pacheco, Michael Niese, Cade Mays, and Kerby Joseph all on Injured Reserve. Giovanni Manu and Kerby Joseph were listed as out due to knee injuries. The Commanders also faced significant injury challenges, with T.J. Maguranyanga, Curtis Jacobs, Quentin Moore, Jacoby Jones, and Jer'Zhan Newton all on Injured Reserve.
The betting market reflected a competitive outlook for this game, with DraftKings listing the Lions as 1.5-point favorites. The total for the game was set at 36.5, with odds of -105.0 for the over and -115.0 for the under. The moneyline offered the Lions at -118.0 and the Commanders at -102.0, indicating a closely matched contest.
Conditions at Ford Field were favorable for football, contributing to a spirited atmosphere. Fans witnessed a game that showcased the resilience of both teams, with the Lions ultimately securing the win. As the season progresses, both teams will look to build on this performance, with the Lions hoping to continue their success and the Commanders seeking to recover from this narrow defeat.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | DET -1.5 | 36.5 o -105 / u -115 | Washington Commanders -102 · Detroit Lions -118 |
Injury report
- Isiah PachecoInjured ReserveBackDetroit Lions
- Michael NieseInjured ReserveLegDetroit Lions
- Giovanni ManuOutKneeDetroit Lions
- Cade MaysInjured ReserveWristDetroit Lions
- Kerby JosephOutKneeDetroit Lions
- T.J. MaguranyangaInjured ReserveUndisclosedWashington Commanders
- Curtis JacobsInjured ReserveUndisclosedWashington Commanders
- Quentin MooreInjured ReserveUndisclosedWashington Commanders
- Jacoby JonesInjured ReserveUndisclosedWashington Commanders
- Jer'Zhan NewtonInjured ReservePectoralWashington Commanders
Leaders
- Passing yardsLuke Altmyer9/13, 86 YDSDetroit Lions
- Rushing yardsJoshua Dobbs2 CAR, 53 YDS, 1 TDDetroit Lions
- Receiving yardsJackson Meeks4 REC, 33 YDSDetroit Lions
- Passing yardsAthan Kaliakmanis11/14, 162 YDSWashington Commanders
- Rushing yardsKaytron Allen10 CAR, 30 YDSWashington Commanders
- Receiving yardsNick Nash2 REC, 62 YDSWashington Commanders
Recent form
Detroit Lions
Last 10: 4-6Streak L125.6 scored · 25.1 allowed per game2-2 at home
- L14-16at Cincinnati BengalsAug 13
- W19-16at Chicago BearsJan 4
- L10-23at Minnesota VikingsDec 25
- L24-29vs Pittsburgh SteelersDec 21
- L34-41at Los Angeles RamsDec 14
- W44-30vs Dallas CowboysDec 5
- L24-31vs Green Bay PackersNov 27
- W34-27vs New York GiantsNov 23
- L9-16at Philadelphia EaglesNov 17
- W44-22at Washington CommandersNov 9
Washington Commanders
Last 10: 3-7Streak W218.9 scored · 26 allowed per game2-2 away
- W20-7vs Miami DolphinsAug 14
- W24-17at Philadelphia EaglesJan 4
- L23-30vs Dallas CowboysDec 25
- L18-29vs Philadelphia EaglesDec 20
- W29-21at New York GiantsDec 14
- L0-31at Minnesota VikingsDec 7
- L26-27vs Denver BroncosDec 1
- L13-16at Miami DolphinsNov 16
- L22-44vs Detroit LionsNov 9
- L14-38vs Seattle SeahawksNov 3
Standings
| Team | Lost | Points against | Points for | Tied | Win % | Won | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas | 1 | 47 | 75 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| New York | 1 | 22 | 59 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Washington | 2 | 65 | 36 | 0 | .333 | 1 | 1-2 |
| Philadelphia | 3 | 78 | 41 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0-3 |
| Green Bay | 1 | 79 | 84 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Detroit | 1 | 45 | 56 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Chicago | 1 | 52 | 67 | 0 | .667 | 2 | 2-1 |
| Minnesota | 2 | 57 | 22 | 0 | .333 | 1 | 1-2 |
Box score
| Stat | Washington Commanders | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 9 | 17 |
| First downs passing | 7 | 7 |
| First downs rushing | 1 | 9 |
| First downs by penalty | 1 | 1 |
| Third downs | 4-12 | 9-17 |
| Fourth downs | 0-1 | 2-2 |
| Offensive plays | 45 | 65 |
| Total yards | 243 | 279 |
| Yards per play | 5.4 | 4.3 |
| Drives | 9 | 10 |
| Net passing yards | 208 | 110 |
| Completions | 20/26 | 16/25 |
| Yards per pass | 7.4 | 3.7 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Sacks allowed | 2-21 | 5-50 |
| Rushing yards | 35 | 169 |
| Rushing attempts | 17 | 35 |
| Yards per rush | 2.1 | 4.8 |
| Red zone trips | 0-2 | 1-3 |
| Penalties | 11-84 | 7-35 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 1 |
| Defensive touchdowns | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 27:18 | 32:42 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Detroit Lions, below favours Washington Commanders.
Venue
- Ford FieldDetroit, MI
- Attendance50042
- OfficialsTrawick Boger, Derick Bowers, Greg Steed, Roy Ellison, Julian Mapp, Glen Fucik
Elsewhere
- Eric Karabell's 2026 fantasy football flex and superflex rankings
- Fantasy football draft rankings 2026: Kicker
- Fantasy football draft rankings 2026: Individual defensive players
- Fantasy football draft rankings 2026: Defense/special teams
- Fantasy football draft rankings 2026: Tight end
- Fantasy football draft rankings 2026: Wide receiver
Picks for NFL
NFL rules and settlement
These two, other days
- Lions Dominate Commanders in Convincing WinNov 9, 2025