Hogs Haven
The Athletic (paywall)
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
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
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