Lions host Washington in matchup of struggling teams

WASHINGTON (2-6) at DETROIT (3-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE - Lions by 4

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Washington 3-4-1; Lions 3-5

SERIES RECORD - Washington leads 31-14

LAST MEETING - Washington beat Lions 19-16 on Nov. 24, 2019, at home

LAST WEEK - Washington lost to Giants 23-20; Lions lost to Vikings 34-20

AP PRO32 RANKING - Washington No. 29, Lions No. 26

WASHINGTON OFFENSE - OVERALL (30), RUSH (29), PASS (26).

WASHINGTON DEFENSE - OVERALL (5), RUSH (23), PASS (1).

LIONS OFFENSE - OVERALL (20), RUSH (24), PASS (15).

LIONS DEFENSE - OVERALL (24), RUSH (30), PASS (18).

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Detroit has won four of the last five in the series. ... Washington QB Alex Smith is set to make his first NFL start since breaking his right tibia and fibula on November 18, 2018. ... Smith has made two relief appearances this season because of injuries to starter Kyle Allen. ... Washington's nine rushing attempts against New York were the fewest in franchise history. ... Rookie RB Antonio Gibson has a shoulder injury that kept him out of some practice this week. ... WRs Terry McLaurin and Cam Sims became the first duo of Washington players to each get 100 yards receiving last week in the same game since 2016. ... DE Montez Sweat leads the team with five sacks. ... No. 2 overall draft pick Chase Young has 3 ˆ½ sacks. ... The Lions fell behind 13-0 at Minnesota last week and 20-7 the previous game to Indianapolis after previously getting off to strong starts this season. ... Detroit has scored 19 more points than opponents in the first quarter and has been outscored by 62 points over the next three quarters. ... QB Matthew Stafford left the last game in the fourth quarter for concussion evaluation, but was able to fully participate in practice Wednesday. ... TE T.J. Hockenson has team highs with 34 catches and five receiving touchdowns. ... Detroit, which is giving up 148 yards rushing per game, allowed Minnesota RB Dalvin Cook to run for 206 yards and two scores. ... Jack Fox is averaging an NFL-high 52.8 yards per punt. ... K Matt Prater is 6 of 12 on field goals from 40-plus yards. ... Fantasy tip: If you have Stafford, find someone else to start. He has thrown three interceptions over the last two games, misses injured WR Kenny Golladay and is going against the NFL's No. 1 defense against the pass.

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