Game Preview, Week 2: Washington at Lions
September 17, 2022
by Steve Thomas
Hail to the Redskins! Wait, is that not appropriate anymore? But my former favorite team won their week 1 battle – aren’t we supposed to play a song? Certainly not that piece of auditory hell that the current Fed Ex Field occupant plays. Well, whatever. Let’s just focus on the fact that Washington successfully started out the season on the right foot with a victory over the Jaguars. Next up is the Detroit Lions, who came across well on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” show but who dropped a squeaker to Washington’s division rival, Philadelphia. Can Washington go 2 – 0? We’ll find out.
Game time & location: Sunday, September 18, 2022, 1:00 p.m. ET, Ford Field, Detroit, MI; Gates open 11:00 a.m. ET; parking lots open 10:00 a.m.
Television: FOX
Television announcers: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma
TV broadcast map: click here
DC-area radio: Big 100, WBIG-FM
Washington radio network: click here
Lions radio network: click here
Satellite radio: SiriusXM: 226 (Lions broad.); 382 (Washington broad.); internet: 831
Washington roster: click here
Washington depth chart: click here
Lions roster: click here
Lions depth chart: click here
All-time head-to-head record vs Lions: 28 – 15 (last 10: 4 – 6; streak: 0 – 1)
Last meeting: L, November 15, 2020, 27 – 30
Early odds: Lions, -2.5
3 KEYS TO THE GAME
Carson Wentz needs to limit the dumb plays
In many ways, the story of Carson Wentz’s career has been that of periods of “great” coupled with hordes of questionable moments. We saw all of this in last week’s game against Jacksonville. A key to this game – and for that matter, all games going forward – is to get a more consistent game out of him. If Washington is going to be a majority-passing team for awhile, at least until Brian Robinson becomes available, then the quarterback needs to eliminate dumb decisions and minimize interceptions. Carson Wentz at his best is a quality quarterback, but at his worst, he’s harmful.
Slow down D’Andre Swift
It should go without saying that Washington allowing Swift to run for 155 yards for the second week in a row is most likely the kiss of death to their chances to win this game. Washington didn’t do well against Jacksonville’s tandem of James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr., allowing them to average 6.0 and 11.8 yards per carry, respectively, which is terrible. Swift will terrorize Washington’s defense if allowed to do so. The biggest defensive key of the day will be to limit the effectiveness of Detroit’s top offensive weapon. This is a tall order, and not one that fans should necessarily expect, but it’s probably mandatory.
Take advantage of Detroit’s secondary
The truth is that Detroit’s defensive backfield is pretty unheralded, and Washington has a group of seemingly talented and productive pass catchers. We all know who Terry McLaurin is, but Josh Dotson and Curtis Samuel have a perfect opportunity here to continue to prove to the football world what they really are. Considering the status of Washington’s rushing attack, the team will need its passing game to continue to perform in this game.
3 KEY MATCHUPS
T.J. Hockenson vs. Jamin Davis
Hockenson is a highly drafted, talented former first round draft pick who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2020. Jamin Davis fits in here because, frankly, Washington utterly lacks another linebacker who has a chance of covering an athletic tight end. Not that Davis has shown any particular ability to do it either, but he’s Washington’s only hope. Detroit would be wise to test this matchup early and often. Keep an eye out on what kind of game Hockenson is having in the first half, and hope that Davis can quickly morph into a quality coverage linebacker.
Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah vs. Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson
As I said above, McLaurin and Dotson both have an opportunity to have big games against what is a fairly weak cornerback group. Watch out for how often Wentz targets his receivers in this game. Last week, his primary targets were the running backs and Washington’s resident gadget player, Curtis Samuel. This week it might just be there top two guys, McLaurin and Dotson.
Charles Leno vs. Aiden Hutchinson
This is an interesting matchup because it features a battle between this year’s second overall draft pick, the highly touted hometown hero, Hutchinson, versus Washington’s surprisingly effective left tackle. Obviously, Washington needs Carson Wentz upright in order for him to succeed, and in some ways, that effort begins here. Plus, this is just a fun battle to keep an eye out for during this game.
OFFICIAL INJURY REPORT (active roster only)
LP – limited practice FP – full practice DNP – did not practice
NIR – not injury related Q – questionable O – out
D – doubtful NL – not listed
| Washington | Lions |
| G W. Schweitzer, hamstring; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q | G J. Jackson, finger; Wed: LP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: Q |
| DT J. Allen, groin; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP; game: Q | C F. Ragone, groin/foot; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: DNP; game: O |
| S K. Curl, thumb; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP, Fri: LP; game: Q | RB D. Swift, ankle; Wed: DNP; Thurs: DNP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| LB C. Holcomb, quad; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | DL M. Brockers, knee; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| G T. Turner, quad; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP | T T. Decker, calf; Wed: DNP; Thurs: LP; Fri: FP |
| LB J. Davis, NIR-personal; Wed: LP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | S I. Melifonwu, hamstring; Wed: LP; Thurs: LP; Fri: LP; game: Q |
| TE C. Turner, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP | CB A. Oruwariye, hamstring; Wed: NL; Thurs: LP; Fri: DNP; game: Q |
| LB J. Okwara, hamstring; Wed: FP; Thurs: FP; Fri: FP |
Elevated:
G Wes Martin
DT Benning Potoa’e
Inactives:
QB Sam Howell
CB Tariq Castro-Fields
G Chris Paul
TE Cole Turner
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