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President Trump to attend Sunday’s Lions-Commanders game at Northwest Stadium
President Donald Trump is expected to attend the Washington Commanders’ game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Northwest Stadium. It will be the first time a sitting U.S. president
has attended an NFL game at the Landover, Md., stadium.
“We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country,” Commanders president Mark Clouse said in a statement. “The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday.”
On Sunday, Trump will sit in the Commanders’ owners suite alongside the team’s managing partner, Josh Harris, according to a league source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the plans.
It’s been more than 47 years since a sitting president attended an NFL game that wasn’t the Super Bowl. On Oct. 2, 1978, a Monday night, then-president Jimmy Carter attended Washington’s 9-5 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium. The first sitting president to attend a non-Super Bowl NFL game was Richard Nixon, who was at Washington’s 41-28 loss to the Cowboys on Nov. 16, 1969 at RFK Stadium.
ESPN
NFL Week 10 picks, predictions, schedule, odds, fantasy tips
Lions (5-3) at Commanders (3-6)
4:25 p.m. ET | FOX
ESPN BET: DET -8.5 (49.5 O/U)
What we’re hearing on the Lions: After being stunned by the Commanders 45-31 at home in last season’s divisional round, Detroit will be out for revenge. But the Lions are still looking to find an offensive identity under first-year coordinator John Morton entering the rematch. “So far, the frustrating part is that we are explosive but inefficient,” passing game coordinator David Shaw said. “We’re never out of a game. The guys that we have, we’re one play away from scoring a touchdown no matter where we stand for ball. That remains to be true.” — Eric Woodyard
What we’re hearing on the Commanders: Washington continues to tinker with its defense in hopes of salvaging the season. It “pared down” some of its calls two weeks ago, but the Commanders still allowed a combined 66 points the past two games. Now, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will call plays from the field rather than from the coaches’ booth. He said it was his idea after some players prodded him to do so, wanting more energy on the sideline and better communication during games. Washington is tied for the most pass plays of at least 20 yards allowed. Now they must somehow stop the NFL’s second-highest-scoring offense — John Keim
Stat to know: The Commanders have three straight losses by 20-plus points, one loss shy of matching the longest such streak in franchise history. — ESPN Research
Commanders.com
3 keys to Commanders vs. Lions
Win special teams matchups
Although injuries on both offense and defense have led to both the Commanders’ units slipping in production, they still have one of the best special teams units in the league. They’ve allowed the second-fewest punt return yards and the fifth-lowest kickoff return average. They also have the sixth-most kickoff return yards with the most runs of 40-plus yards.
Conversely, the Lions are around the middle of the league in just about every special teams metric. The unit has been exploited at times, most recently on the opening kickoff of the Vikings game, as Myles Price burst through the Lions’ coverage for a 61-yard return. Price finished with 164 yards on five returns.
It still won’t be easy for the Commanders now that McCaffrey is possibly out for the rest of the season. McCaffrey had the second most kickoff return yards in the NFL with the best return average among players with at least 20 returns. Washington’s backup options include Deebo Samuel, who started the year as the team’s top kickoff return option, and rookie Jaylin Lane, who has the eighth-best punt return average and the fourth most punt return yards.
It will require a team effort for the Commanders to upset the Lions, and the special teams unit must do their part by giving their injury-riddled offense ideal field position.
A to Z Sports
The Commanders need to play more young players
We’ve seen a lot of recent draft picks get starting time and fill in with injuries, but the coaching staff needs to open the floodgates with young players who are still waiting for their chance. Linebacker Jordan Magee and defensive back Tyler Owens have gotten increased roles over the last two weeks, and they need to do the same for players like Ale Kaho and Kain Medrano on defense. They also need to take advantage of the opportunity and put Mike Sainristil back outside to see if he can play as well as he did last season after taking a big step back this year.
On the offensive side of the ball, it’s safe to assume Zach Ertz won’t be back next year, and they need to see what Ben Sinnott can do in the passing game. Ertz is 34th out of 35 tight ends in yards after catch, and they need more juice at the position. Ja’Corey Brooks and Donovan Edwards are two offensive players on the practice squad that I’d love to see more from as well. Daniels can’t be forced to be Superman every week again.
General manager Adam Peters took a conservative approach after getting a taste of success with reaching the NFC Championship game, and it backfired in a big way. He needs to overhaul the defense and fix the offense to build around Daniels and give him the proper help he needs.
Heavy.com
Eddie Goldman : Questionable with concussion
Goldman (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game versus the Lions, Ben Standig of Big 100 Washington D.C. reports. Goldman was a full participant at practice both Thursday and Friday, but he still has to clear league concussion protocol to be eligible to play in Week 10. If he can’t do so by Sunday, veteran Sheldon Day would figure to see an increased snap count on the defensive line.
Riggo’s Rag
Dan Quinn needs to micromanage Joe Whitt Jr. as much as possible
It seems almost inevitable that the situation with Whitt is a last-ditch effort to save his job. It’s worth trying anything possible, but no matter where he’s calling the game from, it won’t change his coaching strategy or make the players any better.
What can change, though, is that Whitt and Quinn will be able to communicate more effectively. That might be worth something, given Washington’s head coach’s successful pedigree from his time as a defensive coordinator with the Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
If Quinn’s direct input is playing a bigger role in overseeing the Commanders’ defense, the unit might not be totally hopeless. Better yet, having a constant voice in his ear may help teach Whitt valuable lessons that help him improve his craft.
ESPN
Commanders QB Daniels has no ligament damage, won’t need surgery
Had the injury been as bad as feared, he likely would have been placed on injured reserve earlier in the week, but the Commanders wanted him to undergo more tests to confirm the initial diagnosis. An X-ray shortly after the injury revealed no fracture.
It’s uncertain what this means for Daniels’ status the rest of the season. Quinn declined to answer a hypothetical earlier in the week about whether Daniels could return this season once healthy.
“We haven’t discussed any of that,” Quinn said Monday.
Washington (3-6) has lost four consecutive games entering Sunday’s game against Detroit (5-3). Marcus Mariota will start in place of Daniels.
Three of the Commanders’ top five receivers from the beginning of the season are sidelined: Terry McLaurin (quad), Noah Brown (groin, on IR) and Luke McCaffrey (fractured collarbone, on IR).
Daniels had missed three games already this season, two because of a sprained left knee and another after hurting his right hamstring. He has thrown for 1,184 yards, with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, while rushing for 262 yards and two scores.
Podcasts & videos
Commanders’ Mike Sainristil is “Still Making Plays” + Chris Thompson on Injuries | Next Man Up | NFL
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Blogging the Boys
10 burning questions after the Quinnen Williams trade
1. Whose idea was this?
While we know how important it is for Jerry Jones to receive the credit, who decided that it was Williams as the player the team needed to zero in on and use some of their surplus of assets? Cowboys COO Stephen Jones has developed a reputation for saving every penny possible; therefore, it’s hard to envision him being the driving force behind this acquisition. Did Will McClay review the roster and decide that there was no saving the defensive interior, and something had to be done? Or did this come from coach Brian Schottenheimer? Being a first-year head coach, Schottenheimer has a lot to prove and has seen how dominant his offense can be, but was shackled to a defense that practically nullifies the impact of his offense. Whoever decided this was the right call, it’s refreshing to see the team identify a problem and find the best solution with the resources afforded to them.
5. Does this put the Cowboys back in the playoff chase?
Sitting at 3-5-1, the Cowboys’ chances at making the playoffs are severely in question. Dallas has a conference record of 2-4-1 and is currently out of the playoff picture. Meanwhile, three teams in the NFC West have six wins or more, including the San Francisco 49ers, whose six wins have come against the NFC. The mathematical edge isn’t in Dallas’ favor to make the postseason, even as a wild card for the moment.
Their best chance would be somehow catching the NFC East leading Philadelphia Eagles, who are 2.5 games ahead of Dallas. The Cowboys would have to beat the Eagles, Washington Commanders, and New York Giants to finish with a 5-1 record in the division, hope the Eagles stumble, and navigate a remaining schedule against the Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions.
10. Does the trade impact Trevon Diggs’ contract?
So far, Trevon Diggs hasn’t been mentioned, and for good reason. The relationship between Diggs and the front has been tenuous ever since Diggs sustained a knee injury and rehabbed away from the team. Recently, following a mysterious home accident that resulted in a concussion, Diggs was placed on injured reserve. With all that has transpired and a reshaping of the team’s financial priorities, is Diggs playing in his final year in Dallas? He hasn’t played that well when in the lineup, and his contract is relatively easy to shed. If cut, after this season, Diggs would have a cost of $5.8M in dead cap but also save the Cowboys $12.5M in cap space. Again, Dallas has two first-round picks this year and could target a top cornerback in the draft.
Upcoming opponent
Pride of Detroit
Dan Campbell says Lions offense ‘not as bad as people think’
While the team ranks second in the NFL in points per game (29.9), they haven’t been nearly as efficient as of late. Since Week 6, they’re averaging just 21.7 points per game, rank 19th in EPA/play, and 23rd in success rate.
But despite the significant dip in production, Lions coach Dan Campbell believes just a minor change here or there could turn things around in a big way.
“You’d be shocked by—you tweak one little thing, I’m telling you, you tweak one little thing and all of a sudden it just cleans everything up and it just takes off, and the knock in the engine is gone,” Campbell said. “It can appear to be—it’s not as bad as people think it is. And it really doesn’t take much, just a little tightening here.”
Campbell knows this may sound familiar. He’s said similar things in the previous couple weeks when the offensive problems started to creep in. But he believes he has a well of solutions that can help the team out.
“I’ve got a million ideas, and I believe it’s going to work this week,” Campbell said. “And if it doesn’t, I’ve got another idea. I’ve got plenty. We’ll get this thing going. But I trust these players, I like the plan.”
Lions, Commanders injury designations: Kerby Joseph OUT for third straight game
Ruled OUT
- RB Jacob Saylors (back)
- DL Pat O’Connor (knee)
- S Kerby Joseph (knee)
- G Miles Frazier (knee, still on PUP) — Days remaining in evaluation: 18
- EDGE Josh Paschal (back, still on NFI) — Days remaining in evaluation: 18
Saylors showed up on the practice report as limited on Wednesday and has not practiced since. That indicates he most likely was injured during practice, and like most mid-week injuries, he couldn’t get healthy enough to participate on Sunday.
O’Connor has not practiced this week, and with no clear injury happening in last week’s game, it’s unclear the significance of his injury beyond forcing him to miss this weekend’s contest. Hopefully, we’ll get an update soon. His absence could open up an opportunity for Mekhi Wingo or Quinton Jefferson to play this Sunday.
Joseph continues to rehab his knee, and while progress is moving slower than expected, he is reportedly getting better. Look for Thomas Harper to continue to start in Joseph’s place, making this his third game in a row he’ll be featured at free safety.
“He’s going to need a little bit here,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said last week. “So, the negative is, yeah, I don’t think he’s going to play. The positive is he is getting better. He really is. It’s just going to take a minute here. So, that’s kind of where we’re at.”
Frazier and Paschal are still working to return from their offseason injuries and will remain on their respective injury lists for at least another week. Rodriguez will have another week of practice before a decision will need to be made, while the others still have two more weeks remaining in their injury evaluation windows.
