Suddenly the Lions defense is getting some turnovers, while the Redskins defense has been getting off the field.
But let's be honest: Sunday's game in Motown between two teams riding win streaks is all about the offenses. Get ready for a shootout.
The Redskins -- who are seeking their first five-game win streak since 2012 on Sunday -- boast the second-best receiving corps in the NFL entering Week 7, according to Pro Football Focus. Pierre Garcon, DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder have combined for 923 yards on the year. Tight end Jordan Reed -- another huge part of Washington's attack -- is out for Sunday, although Jay Gruden said Reed missing practice on Thursday wasn't a setback for his starting tight end in the concussion protocol.
Meanwhile, Matthew Stafford is making a case that he's the best quarterback in the NFL. No, for real.
Our own Sean Wagner-McGough broke down Stafford's sizzling statistical turn since Jim Bob Cooter took over play-calling duties for the Lions last season -- and the results are shocking. As Wagner-McGough writes:
Cooter took over as offensive coordinator midway through the 2015 season and has now held that position for 15 games. All of them have been started by Stafford. Under Cooter's direction, Stafford has completed 68.95 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 34 touchdowns, and eight interceptions for a 105.5 passer rating. That's nearly a full season's worth of data. Just for some context: In his previous 84 starts, dating back to his 2009 rookie year, Stafford's passer rating sat at 83.9.
There's also this, which shows how Stafford has been dicing up defenses so far in 2016:
Without Calvin Johnson, Stafford is completing 68.9 percent of his passes (second-highest in the NFL) and averaging 7.77 yards per pass (eighth). He's thrown 14 touchdowns (tied for third). His 106.0 passer rating is third in the NFL.
Stafford's favorite target so far has been Marvin Jones, who has four TDs and 529 receiving yards and is averaging a stunning 18.2 yards a reception. But Jones can expect his toughest matchup of the season if Washington opts to let Josh Norman earn his big paycheck by shadowing him.
For the Lions, a defense that couldn't force turnovers earlier this season is finally making more plays.
The Lions have three takeaways in the last two games, and will look to get a few more from Kirk Cousins, who has thrown six picks entering Sunday to go with eight touchdowns.
Here's everything you need to know for how to watch and stream Sunday's game:
How to Watch
- What: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions
- When: Sunday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- TV: FOX (Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman, Peter Schrager on the call)
- Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile app, Sunday Ticket on DirecTV
- Online: Sunday Ticket or NFL GamePass (game won't be available on GamePass until midnight)
- Odds: The Lions are a 1-point favorite (via Bovada)
Injuries
Redskins
- TE Jordan Reed (Concussion) -- Out
- WR DeSean Jackson (Shoulder) -- Questionable
Lions
- TE Eric Ebron (Ankle, Knee) -- Out
- LB DeAndre Levy (Knee, Quad) -- Out
- DT Haloti Ngata (Shoulder) -- Out
- RB Theo Riddick (Ankle) -- Out
- T Corey Robinson (Ankle) -- Out
- DE Ezekiel Ansah (Ankle) -- Questionable
- G Larry Warford (Groin) -- Questionable
- RB Dwayne Washington (Ankle) -- Questionable
- LB Tahir Whitehead (Abdomen) -- Questionable
Prisco's Pick
The Redskins have won four straight games to get back in the division race. They've done it despite defensive issues. I think that will show up here. This will be an offensive shootout with Matthew Stafford getting the best of it.
Pick: Lions 35, Redskins 31
