Lets first examine where each team stands in offensive and defensive ranking. We can then use that information to determine how each team will attack the other.

Redskins offense rank
31st in points
19th in total yards
18th in passing yards
18th in rushing yards

Redskins defensive rank
7th in points allowed
10th in yards allowed
11th in passing yards allowed
17th in rushing yards allowed

Lions offensive rank
17th in points
30th in total yards
26th in passing yards
24th in rushing yards

Lions Defensive rank
32nd in points allowed
27th in yards allowed
24th in passing yards allowed
22nd in rushing yards allowed

 
Redskins QB Jason Campbell completed his first 10 throws of the game and finished 23-of-28 for 328 yards and a touchdown on October 26th , 2008. He got the game ball. That was the last game the Lions played the Redskins , also a home game for Detroit.

Clinton Portis isn't on the downside yet , Lions fans , he ran for 79 yards last week against the Rams , on 19 carries , a 4.5 yards per carry average. He is still a running back the Lions need to keep track of in the Redskins offense.

Last week against the Rams , Campbell threw for 249 yards , going 23 for 35 with no TDs and no INTs. He has thrown 1 TD pass and 1 INT , both in week 1 of the regular season. Last week against the Rams , Devin Thomas dropped a touchdown pass. Mike Sellers dropped a touchdown pass. Santana Moss killed a late drive in the first half with a fumble that was awarded to the St. Louis Rams after an instant-replay review.

The Redskins look like one team between the 20-yard lines and another in the red zone. Make that the dead zone. I expect that to change this week , the Redskins are better than the final score is showing us.

If Matthew Stafford has any untimely turnovers the Redskins will be a team primed to take advantage of them , the defense could get into the scoring act too.

The Detroit Lions have a better rushing attack than passing attack at this point in the season , and the Redskins don't defend the run as well as they do the pass. I expect the Lions to stick with the running game , and limit the amount of times Stafford has to throw the ball. Campbell threw 28 times last year for over 300 yards , what the Lions need to do at this point is to make the passing game become more effective with fewer attempts. The Redskins have the 11th best passing defense in the NFL , so its time to get Brandon Pettigrew involved in the offense. I look for Kevin Smith to have a good game this week , (I usually do) , with at least 100 yards rushing.

Will Maurice Morris get more than 2 carries this week? This bears watching , because for a running back thats not injured , his only 2 carries of the year came against the Vikings. He could play a key role in keeping Kevin Smith fresh during the game , if he played more.

I could see the Lions defense allowing a good passing day for Campbell before I could see the 11th best passing defense allow Stafford to have a good day. The Redskins seem to be lacking points , which means they have problems inside the red zone. If rookie linebacker DeAndre Levy gets the start for the Lions at outside LB , then Campbell and the Redskins offense will go at him in the air , with a tight end in routes. I expect the Redskins to score in this game , at least 28 points.

The Lions might struggle once again to sustain drives if Stafford can't lead this offense. I could see the Lions scoring 14 points against the Redskins. I don't think Stafford gets any touchdown passes this week , but there are things that could change that during the game. If Special teams could break a few long punt or kickoff returns , giving Stafford a short field , then the Liond don't have to sustain those long drives.

Ok , final score:
Redskins 28
Lions 14