The Lions and Commanders have one thing in common — and it could decide who goes to the NFC championship game

oing to be a game that’s going to go all the way down to the end.”

When the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders square off in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs Saturday, don’t expect to see many punts or field goals.

The Lions and the Commanders are two of the most aggressive fourth-down teams in the NFL, and their coaches’ willingness to be bold will almost certainly be a major factor in who advances to the NFC championship game.

During the regular season, Detroit and Washington ranked second and third, respectively, in giving themselves the biggest edge on fourth downs in a formula devised by The Athletic’s Austin Mock.

The Commanders, in fact, are appearing in Saturday's matchup in large part because of their mettle on do-or-die downs. Washington went for it five times on fourth down against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in its playoff opener. It converted three of those attempts, including a fourth-and-2 in the fourth quarter for a go-ahead touchdown.

“We were going to be bold but not reckless,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said. Quinn kept going for it on fourth down even after the team didn’t convert its first attempt of the night.

https://www.nbcnews.com/sports/nfl/lions-commanders-fourth-down-nfl-playoffs-rcna187700

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