Series history, broadcast information, connections and more from Thursday's Redskins-Lions 2015 Preseason Week 2 matchup at FedExField in Landover, Md.
PRESEASON WEEK 2 WASHINGTON REDSKINS (1-0) vs. DETROIT LIONS (1-0)Thursday, Aug. 20 – 7:30 p.m. ET
FedExField (82,000) – Landover, Md.
The Washington Redskins will return to FedExField for their 2015 preseason home opener on Thursday, as the team hosts the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the preseason. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
Check out the top photos from the Washington Redskins' 2015 Preseason Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns Aug. 13, 2015, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
Last week, the Redskins overcame an 11-point second-quarter deficit to defeat the Cleveland Browns, 20-17. With the victory, the Redskins have now won their last six preseason debuts dating back to 2010.
The Redskins' defense tightened as the game progressed. At game's end, the Redskins had held the Browns to 3.1 yards per play, the team's best per-play defensive performance in a preseason game since holding the New England Patriots to 2.7 yards per play on Aug. 26, 2006.
The defense's style of play was a positive sign for Redskins head coach Jay Gruden.
"They hustled and they were physical. You could see that," Gruden said. "It's exciting to see some new guys we brought in playing with a little more confidence. I think that if you build yourself a strong defense and a good running game, you're going to be in a lot of football games."
Thursday's meeting between the Redskins and Lions will mark the teams' first preseason meeting since 1996.
SERIES HISTORY– Lions lead preseason series, 11-7
– Redskins lead regular season series, 27-13
– Last preseason meeting: Aug. 9, 1996 (34-25, DET)
– Last regular season meeting: Sept. 22, 2013 (27-20, DET)
TELEVISION:NBC-4/Comcast SportsNet* *– Kenny Albert (play-by-play)
– Joe Theismann (color)
– Clinton Portis (sidelines)
RADIO:Redskins Radio Network
– Larry Michael (play-by-play)
– Sonny Jurgensen (color)
– Chris Cooley (analysis)
– Rick "Doc" Walker (sidelines)
THE OPPONENT
The Detroit Lions are competing in the 2015 preseason following a 2014 campaign in which the team finished second in the NFC North with an 11-5 record, earning a Wild Card berth in the NFC playoffs. This season will be the team's second under Head Coach Jim Caldwell.
Last year, quarterback Matthew Stafford led the Lions in passing and finished the season having completed 363-of-602 passes for 4,257 yards with 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He started all of the Lions' 16 regular season contests and their NFC Wild Card Round appearance.
Running back Joique Bell led the Lions in rushing in his fourth NFL season last year, gaining 860 yards on a team-high 223 carries (3.9 avg) with seven rushing touchdowns.
Last year, wide receiver Golden Tate led the Lions in receiving with 1,331 yards on 99 receptions (13.4 avg) in his first season with the team. Fellow wide receiver Calvin Johnson was selected to the Pro Bowl after contributing 71 receptions for 1,077 yards and eight receiving touchdowns despite missing three games due to injury.
Linebacker DeAndre Levy led the Lions and finished second in the NFL with 151 total tackles (117 solo) in 2015. Safety Glover Quin earned a Pro Bowl selection last season after leading the league in interceptions (seven). Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, now a member of the Miami Dolphins, led the team with 8.0 sacks. Defensive end Ezekiel Ansah returns as the Lions leading pass rusher with 7.5 sacks last year among his 49 tackles (37 solo).
Kicker Matt Prater handled the majority of the kicking duties for the Lions in 2014 after being signed prior to Week 6. Prater converted 21-of-26 field goal attempts. Last year, punter Sam Martin averaged 46.1 yards on 68 punts.
Last year, wide receiver Jeremy Ross served as the Lions' primary returner. Ross returned 32 punts for 284 yards (8.9 avg) and 23 kickoffs for 584 yards (25.4 avg).
PRESEASON SERIESThursday's preseason game between the Redskins and the Lions will be the 19th preseason meeting between the two franchises dating back to 1949.
The Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions have met 18 times during the regular season. Here's a look back at some of those games.
The Redskins are 7-11 against the Lions in preseason contests all-time. Thursday's game will mark the teams' first preseason meeting since 1996.
Included below is a list of the preseason games contested between the two franchises:
- 8/30/1949 vs. Detroit 31-7 W
- 8/30/1950 vs. Detroit 28-24 W
- 8/31/1959 vs. Detroit 10-7 W
- 9/20/1952 vs. Detroit 45-7 L
- 9/16/1953 vs. Detroit 31-7 L
- 8/27/1954 at Detroit 37-7 L
- 8/24/1955 vs. Detroit 17-14 L
- 9/18/1956 vs. Detroit 19-17 W
- 9/1/1957 vs. Detroit 31-14 L
- 8/21/1959 at Detroit 31-14 L
- 8/8/1964 vs. Detroit 28-27 L
- 9/12/1965 vs. Detroit 20-3 W
- 8/29/1968 vs. Detroit 16-10 W
- 8/30/1969 vs. Detroit 21-20 L
- 8/25/1972 at Detroit 23-10 L
- 8/3/1973 vs. Detroit 17-14 L
- 8/29/1975 vs. Detroit 34-13 W
- 8/9/1996 at Detroit 34-25 L
NOTES FROM LAST GAME
- The Washington Redskins won their 2015 preseason debut on Thursday, defeating the Cleveland Browns, 20-17, in front of an announced crowd of 58,073 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.
- The Redskins have won their last six preseason debuts dating back to 2010 and have now won 12 of their last 14 preseason games in total.
- The Redskins held the Browns to 3.1 yards per play, the team's best per-play defensive performance in a preseason game since holding the New England Patriots to 2.7 yards per play on Aug. 26, 2006.
- The Redskins rushed for 153 yards, marking the second time in the Jay Gruden era that the team has posted 150-plus rushing yards in a preseason game (177 vs. New England last season).
- The Redskins overcame an 11-point second-quarter deficit to win the game. Last year, the Redskins overcame halftime deficits in three of the team's victories in the 2014 regular season.
- With the win, the Redskins improved to 10-3 in preseason games against the Browns since 1961. The Redskins have won each of the teams' last five preseason meetings.
- Quarterback Robert Griffin III started and completed 4-of-8 passes for 36 yards. He helped engineer a 13-play, 66-yard scoring drive in the first quarter that culminated in a Washington field goal. Last year, the Redskins had three scoring drives of 13 plays or more during the 2014 regular season.
- Running back Alfred Morris gained 42 yards on eight carries, both team highs, for an average of 5.3 yards per attempt. In regular season play, Morris has recorded 17 career games with a yards-per-carry average of 5.0 yards or more.
- For the second consecutive season, kicker Kai Forbath opened the Redskins' preseason scoring. Forbath converted a 33-yard field goal in the first quarter. Last year, Forbath scored the team's first points of the 2014 preseason with a 39-yard field goal against New England.
- Forbath later converted a 52-yard field goal attempt in the second half. Forbath's career long in regular season play is 50 yards.
- Quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 12-of-14 passes for 145 yards for a passer rating of 112.5. He also added a four-yard touchdown run on his lone rushing attempt of the game.
- Cousins completed his first nine pass attempts. Cousins' longest career streak of consecutive completions in regular season play came in Week 2 last season when he completed his first 12 passes vs. Jacksonville.
- Cousins entered the game in the second quarter, leading an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive that culminated in the four-yard touchdown run.
- The touchdown run was the first of Cousins' professional career in either the preseason or regular season.
- On the drive, wide receiver Andre Roberts caught three passes for 62 yards.
- Rookie running back Matt Jones recorded a 23-yard run in the second quarter.
- The Redskins took their first lead of the game in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Trey Williams.
- Rookie linebacker Houston Bates led the team with two sacks, recording them on consecutive plays on the Browns' final drive.
- Linebacker Jackson Jeffcoat recorded a sack in the second quarter. Last season, Jeffcoat recorded his first career regular season sack in Week 16 vs. Philadelphia.
- Defensive back DaMon Cromartie-Smith recorded a sack in the third quarter, his first preseason sack since Sept. 1, 2011, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- Fellow rookie linebacker Preston Smith recorded a sack in his first career preseason game, dropping Browns quarterback Connor Shaw for a seven-yard loss in the third quarter.
- Safety Akeem Davis recorded his first career professional interception in either preseason or regular season play.
REDSKINS-LIONS CONNECTIONS
Former Redskins on Lions:
- CB Crezdon Butler (2012)
- C Braxston Cave (2014, Practice Squad)
- CB Nate Ness (2011, Practice Squad)
- DE Darryl Tapp (2013)
- CB Josh Wilson (2011-13)
Former Lions on Redskins:
- Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry (2007-08)
- Assistant Special Teams Coach Bradford Banta (2001-03, Tight End/Long Snapper; 2008-11, Assistant Special Teams Coach; 2012-13, Assistant Linebackers Coach)
Lions from the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area:
- DE Larry Webster (Hagerstown, Md.)
A countdown of the top-12 images of Darryl Tapp during his first seven years in the NFL.
No. 12: Tapp looking to make a tackle against the Denver Broncos in Week 13 of the 2006 regular season. He would also record his first career interception and touchdown that day.
No. 11: Tapp celebrating his first sack as member of the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the 2010 regular season.
No. 10: Tapp taking down Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Carnell Williams for one of his four tackles in Week 1 of the 2007 regular season.
No. 9: Tapp attempting to contain Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis during a playoff game in 2008.
No. 8: Tapp smiling after making a tackle against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 of the 2011 regular season.
No. 7: Tapp tackling Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III in Week 11 of the 2012 regular season.
No. 6: Tapp taking down Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner for his first career sack in Week 2 of the 2006 regular season.
No. 5: Tapp knocking the ball out of St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford's possession in Week 1 of the 2011 regular season. It was Tapp's first forced fumble since Week 17 of the 2008 regular season.
No. 4: Tapp looking to take down Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in Week 16 of the 2009 regular season.
No. 3: Tapp kneeling next to St. Louis Rams quarterback Kyle Boller after his pressure forced Boller to throw one of his two interceptions in Week 13 of the 2009 regular season.
No. 2: Tapp stretching out to take down Dallas Cowboys quarterback Stephen McGee in Week 14 of the 2010 regular season.
No. 1: Tapp sacking New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning for one of his three sacks during the 2006 regular season. Tapp has accumulated 257 tackles, 24 sacks, 17 passes defensed, nine forced fumbles, and two interceptions during his seven-year career.
DE Darryl Tapp (Portsmouth, Va.) * RB Desmond Martin (Portsmouth, Va.) * LB Brandon Copeland (Sykesville, Md.) * TE David Ausberry (Strasburg, Va.) * Defensive Backs Coach Alan Williams (Norfolk, Va.)
Redskins from Michigan:
- QB Kirk Cousins (Holland)
- WR Tony Jones (Grand Blanc)
- S Trenton Robinson (Bay City)
- Defensive Quality Control Coach Aubrey Pleasant (Flint)
Lions who went to college in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area:
- S Don Carey (Norfolk State)
- WR Corey Fuller (Virginia Tech)
- DE Darryl Tapp (Virginia Tech)
- CB Josh Wilson (Maryland)
- Defensive Backs Coach Alan Williams (William & Mary)
Redskins who went to college in Michigan:
- QB Kirk Cousins (Michigan State)
- S Trenton Robinson (Michigan State)
Notable Pro Connections:
- Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry, Lions Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano, and Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell worked together in Tampa Bay in 2001. Barry held the position of Linebackers Coach while Marciano held the same position and Caldwell held the position of Quarterbacks Coach during that time.
- Head Coach Jay Gruden played for Lions Head Coach Jim Caldwell at Louisville in 1985. Caldwell held the position of Offensive Assistant during that time.
- Defensive Quality Control Coach Chad Grimm and Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin worked together in Arizona in 2009. Grimm held the position of Offensive Quality Control Coach and Austin held the position of Defensive Backs Coach during that time.
- Strength and Conditioning Coordinator Mike Clark and Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin worked together in Seattle from 2004-06. Clark held the position of Strength and Conditioning Coach and Coach Austin held the position of Defensive Backs Coach during that time.
- Defensive Line Coach Robb Akey and Lions Special Teams Coordinator Joe Marciano worked together in Minnesota in 2014. Akey held the position of Assistant Defensive Line and Coach Marciano held the position of Interim Special Teams Coordinator during that time.
- OL Willie Smith and Lions TE David Ausberry played together in Oakland in 2012.
- OL Willie Smith and Lions DB Crezdon Butler played together in San Diego in 2013. DB Justin Rogers played with Butler in Buffalo in 2012. WR Andre Roberts played with Butler in Arizona from 2011-12. DB Da'Mon Cromartie-Smith played with Butler in Pittsburgh in 2010.
- DE Stephen Paea, WR Rashad Ross, and OL Taylor Boggs played together in Chicago in 2014. DL Stephen Paea and Lions DL Corey Wootton played together in Chicago from 2011-13.
- T Ty Nsekhe and Lions DL Jermelle Cudjo played together in St. Louis in 2012.
- LB Junior Galette, Lions WR Lance Moore, and Lions DB Isa Abdul-Quddus played together in New Orleans from 2011-13.
- WR DeSean Jackson, Lions DL Darryl Tapp, Lions WR Greg Salas, Lions DL Phillip Hunt, and Lions FB Emil Igwenagu played together in Philadelphia in 2012.
- WR Colin Lockett and Lions DB Taylor Mays played together in Cincinnati in 2014. FB Jordan Campbell and Mays played in Cincinnati in 2013. DB Dashon Goldson, DL Ricky Jean-Francois, and Mays played together in San Francisco in 2010.
- S Dashon Goldson and Lions QB Dan Orlovsky played together in Tampa Bay in 2013. WR Pierre Garcon and Orlovsky played together in Indianapolis in 2011.
- FB Jordan Campbell, LB Alonzo Highsmith, WR Rashad Ross, and Lions DB Chris Owens played together in Kansas City in 2014. DB Justin Rogers, Lions DB R.J. Stanford, and Owens played together in Miami in 2013. OL Shawn Lauvao and Owens played together in Cleveland in 2013. DL Travian Robertson and Owens played together in Atlanta in 2012.
Check out images of veteran defensive lineman Terrance Knighton during his first few months as a Washington Redskin.
DL Terrance Knighton, S Duke Ihenacho, Lions OL Manny Ramirez and Lions K Matt Prater played together in Denver in 2013. DL Chris Baker and Prater played together in Denver in 2009. OL Kory Lichtensteiger and Prater played together in Denver in 2008. CB DeAngelo Hall and Prater played together in Atlanta in 2007. * DE Frank Kearse and Lions DB R.J. Stanford played together in Carolina from 2010-11. * CB Jeron Johnson and Lions WR Golden Tate played together in Seattle in 2011-13. Lions DL Jason Jones played together with Johnson and Tate in Seattle in 2012. Notable College Connections:
- LB Will Compton, G Spencer Long and Lions RB Ameer Abdullah played together at Nebraska from 2011-12.
- TE Devin Mahina, Lions LB Kyle Van Noy and Lions DL Ezekiel Ansah played together at Brigham Young from 2010-12.
- FB Jordan Campbell, Lions DB Taylor Mays and Lions TE David Ausberry played together at USC from 2007-09.
- CB Jeron Johnson and Lions QB Kellen Moore played together at Boise State from 2008-10.
- G/T Brandon Scherff and Lions OL Riley Reiff played together at Iowa in 2011.
- CB DeAngelo Hall and Lions DL Darryl Tapp played together at Virginia Tech from 2002-03.
- QB Kirk Cousins, S Trenton Robinson, and Lions DL Jerel Worthy played together at Michigan State from 2008-11.
- CB Chris Culliver and Lions DL Devin Taylor played together at South Carolina from 2008-10.
- K Kai Forbath, TE Logan Paulsen, and Lions TE Joseph Fauria played together at UCLA in 2009.
- NT Terrance Knighton, LB Junior Galette, and Lions LB Tahir Whitehead played together at Temple in 2008.
- G Arie Kouandjio and Lions OL Michael Williams played together at Alabama from 2010-12.
- LB Keenan Robinson, LB Jackson Jeffcoat, and Lions CB Quandre Diggs played together at Texas in 2011.
- LB Preston Smith and Lions DB Darius Slay played together at Mississippi State in 2011.
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