It’s time for another Detroit Lions playoff run.
Last year, they doubled the number of playoff wins they had the previous 65 years, en route to the NFC championship game. This year, as the No. 1 seed, they had the first-round bye, setting them up for an NFC divisional-round game against the Washington Commanders to begin their postseason.
A win puts the Lions back in the NFC championship game, which would be at 3 p.m. next Sunday at Ford Field.
Anticipation for this game has built for two weeks. We expect Lions fans to descend upon downtown early in anticipation of this matchup, even with the snowy conditions expected in metro Detroit, and we expect it to get rowdy. Follow the latest updates from downtown Detroit as we get ready for the big game.
4:45 p.m.: Big security presence
Fans filled the streets leading up to Ford Field.
A line snaked outside the popular Tin Roof sports bar that sits directly outside Comerica Park. Fans of sturdy ilk scoffed at the cold and drank outside Elwood’s Bar and Grill, dancing to music blaring from competing speakers.
The security presence was obvious. Marked law enforcement vehicles from Detroit Police Deartment, Wayne County sheriff, Oakland County Sheriff and more circled the stadium.
While a few commanders fans were visible, they were outnumbered at least 500 to 1.
— Dave Boucher
4:33 p.m.: Dan Campbell’s doppelgangers are here
Tailgates are popping up all around Ford Field.
At one tailgate, in lot 5 just north of Ford Field, a crowd of Dan Campbell look-alikes gathered to have drinks, grill steaks and party with all of the Motor City Dans.
The look-alikes, who went viral after putting on a look-alike contest in Detroit last month, coordinated a tailgate.
One of the Campbell doppelgangers is actually named Marc Ferguson, not Dan, and he’s a 50-year-old from St. Clair Shores. He says the group of impersonators have become close friends, maintaining a group chat and coordinating public appearances.
“We’re talking all day, every day. We’re all like best fricking friends now,” Ferguson said in Campbell-like fashion.
“I put my phone down, I come back to my phone, and there’s like 35 texts,” Ferguson said. “And I’m like, ‘It’s the Dans!”
The crowd — who call themselves the Motor City Dans — were wearing matching T-shirts. According to Ferguson, Dan Campbell himself actually got involved.
“Dan Campbell actually had a good part in designing this,” Ferguson said, pointing to his shirt which features a plaid, Honolulu Blue ring surrounding an image of the real Campbell.
Ferguson said he’s been in touch with Dan Campbell’s wife, Holly Campbell, who got her husband to give some input on the shirt designs.
“We sent her all the designs and said, ‘Hey, we want to make sure that Dan is good with it.’ And she goes, ‘Oh my God, these are awesome.'” Ferguson said. “She sent (the designs) to Dan, and she sent me the screenshots of his text. He goes, “I like number one, but take the lion off number two and then go with the plaid ring from number four.”
Dante Dasaro, another Campbell look-alike who helped organize the get-together, said the Motor City Dans will be sticking together, doing more events as the Lions march on.
“Our goal is to do charity events, veteran’s events, I don’t care if we march the Thanksgiving parade,” Dasaro said. “It’s just a celebration of what’s happening here.”
— Liam Rappleye
4 p.m.: Cornhole and weed
Sidewalks on Woodward are filling up with Honolulu blue and silver. Music blasted from speakers and the breezes carried whiffs of weed.
In front of The Lofts at Merchant’s Row, a series of ice sculptures dot the pavement with team logos and messages like “All grit, no quit,” and “Go Lions.”
Nearby, people played cornhole on the sidewalk and a marching band from River Rouge High School march in place to keep warm as the temperatures hover around freezing.
— John Wisely
2:30 p.m.: Eastern Market tailgate is underway: ‘Cheers to still being here in January’
The Blue Crew Lions tailgaters are set up as usual at Detroit’s Eastern Market Shed 2. Organizer Willie Murray, of Hastings, arrived at 11:30 a.m. to start setting up. With him: three smoked pork shoulders for pulled pork, sloppy joes and french fries. The pork shoulders were smoked Friday.
“It’s comfort food you can slap on a piece of bread,” Murray said.
Chris Hankinson of Grand Haven also got to Eastern Market early, dressed warm for the game.
“Cheers to still being here in January,” he said.
Blue Crew is expecting more than 150 people today at the tailgate. Among its tailgaters are fans from Chicago and Cleveland.
For Lions fans Leah and Andre Spencer, every Lions game is a road game. The couple from Saint Paul, Minnesota, travel to Detroit often for Lions games. Andre Spencer is originally from Detroit; Leah was born and raised in Minnesota.
“I married a man from Detroit and he converted me,” Leah said.
The couple said they are excited and ecstatic about this Lions team.
“It’s historic and amazing and something that we are are glad to see,” the Spencers said.
—Sue Selasky
1:15 p.m.: First fans outside Ford Field: ‘Just one of those electric feelings’
And so it begins.
Playoff Saturday in downtown Detroit began with the sound of metal on concrete. Ford Field employees and security staff dragged out the metal barricades used to funnel the thousands of expected fans into the stadium for 8 p.m. kickoff.
The vibes around Ford Field were mellow with an expectant energy among the few people moving around. Some police officers (donning Lions garb!) hopped in and out of their cruisers, setting up for the flood of football fans. A few ambitious fans had already taken to setting up heaters and tents for an all-day tailgate, while others walked around.
Dale Bosley, 70 of Birch Run, and Raeann Vanorder, 38 from Zeeland, stood in front of Ford Field taking photos before the rush of fans arrived. The two of them, lifelong Lions fans, have plenty of highlights from their dedication to the Lions.
Bosley, a former season ticket holder back in the Silverdome days, said meeting Barry Sanders was a great moment. One of Vanorder’s favorite memories is meeting Luther Elliss, a defensive tackle for the Lions in the late ’90s.
But this game today? This is different, they said.
“This is an experience you can’t replace, and it’s something that we’ll remember,” Vanorder said. “It’s just one of those electric feelings.”
When is the Detroit Lions vs Washington Commanders game?
- Date: Saturday, Jan. 18.
- Time: 8 p.m.
- Where: Ford Field, Detroit.
- TV channel: Fox (Ch. 2 in Detroit).
- Streaming live: Fubo.
- Radio: WXYT-FM (97.1) in Detroit (find all Lions radio affiliates).
Are Lions-Commanders tickets still available?
Tickets for Lions-Commanders in the NFC divisional round are starting around $360 apiece for standing room only on StubHub and other secondary market providers. Seated tickets start at around $420. It’s by far the most expensive divisional round game of the four this weekend.
—Brian Manzullo
Lions mania has taken over Michigan
With two weeks between the regular season finale and the Lions’ playoff opener, Michigan has had ample time to get ready for this latest postseason run.
Businesses are decorated in Honolulu Blue. Fans are dyeing their hair. Detroit police officers are wearing Lions hats while on duty. Celebrities from Michigan are going on late-night talk shows to sing about the Lions. The list goes on.
The Free Press has been there to cover all of it — and will continue to be. Here are some of the best fan stories from the past two weeks:
—Brian Manzullo
What to expect during Lions-Commanders
Many experts are expecting a lot of offense in this game. Jared Goff and the Lions have the NFL’s best offense, averaging 33.2 points per game during the regular season. But rookie Jayden Daniels and the Commanders aren’t far behind at 28.5 points per game (5th), and they’re going up against a shorthanded Lions defense. Can they stay on schedule inside what will be a raucous Ford Field environment?
More game coverage:
—Brian Manzullo
Stay tuned for the best Lions coverage throughout the playoffs and all year long at freep.com/sports/lions.
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