“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.
Detroit 30, Washington 27 – Week 10, November 15, 2020
Matt Prater’s 59-yard field goal on the game’s final play provided the Lions their 30-27 victory over the Washington Football Team at Ford Field in Detroit.
When Lions quarterback Matt Stafford connected with running back D’Andre Swift for a 15-yard touchdown, the Lions led comfortably 24-3 with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter.
Washington suddenly responded, scoring 21 consecutive points. J.D. McKissic’s 2-yard run with 2:30 remaining in the third gave Washington hope. Then Antonio Gibson scored from the 2 with 11:21 remaining to bring Washington to within 24-17. Another Washington drive resulted in Gibson scoring from the 5-yard line, tying the game with 6:09 showing on the game clock.
The Lions responded with Prater’s 37-yard field goal. But with 2:37 remaining in the game, it was time for Alex Smith to drive Washington to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining on Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal.
Astonishingly, the Washington defense could not keep the Lions from driving, setting up Prater’s 59-yard kick. From the 25, the defense surrendered a 10-yard pass. The next play was a Stafford incompletion leaving Detroit with only 6 seconds from their own 35.
However, rookie Chase Young had taken a cheap-shot shove into the back of Stafford, clearly late after Stafford’s incompletion, moving the ball 15 yards to the midfield stripe.
Washington defenders stood 10 yards off of Detroit receivers, so Stafford quickly connected with Marvin Jones for 9 yards to the Washington 41, in time for Prater to nail the game-winning field goal.
The Lions have won the last four games played in Detroit (2020, 2016, 2010, 2009).
