► Nolan Bianchi: 1-0 is 1-0, but is anybody really that impressed with the Commanders’ win over Jacksonville last week? Vegas certainly isn’t, judging by the fact that it made Detroit a favorite for the first time in 24 games. And really, everything should be easier for the Lions this week, including getting to the quarterback. A disastrous second quarter last Sunday wiped out the Lions’ home-field advantage, but against a confident Carson Wentz, they’ll have better success getting to the quarterback this week and a consistently raucous Ford Field gets a Lions victory over the goal line. Lions, 34-30
► John Niyo: The last time the Lions were favored to win a game, Matt Patricia was still their head coach. They lost that game, 20-0, at Carolina. So bettors beware. But the Lions better win this game if they want to be taken seriously this fall. Injuries notwithstanding, there’s no reason they can’t put up some points on this Washington team. The Commanders’ secondary looked shaky in Week 1, as Jacksonville almost literally dropped a season-opening win. So assuming it’s not a complete patchwork line in front of Jared Goff, there are big plays to be made in the passing game. That’s also true on defense, because Carson Wentz is still Carson Wentz, and he’s just waiting to prove it. Lions, 31-28
More: Detroit News scouting report: Detroit Lions vs. Washington Commanders
► Justin Rogers: Heading into the week, it felt as good a time as any to pick the Lions to win a game. I mean, if Vegas is favoring them, that’s as good of a sign as you’re going to get. But with the injury picture being clouded all week, particularly along Detroit’s offensive line, I’m admittedly waffling. Washington isn’t good, but it’s also not a pushover, having made noticeable upgrades on offense and still being formidable along the defensive front, even without injured pass-rusher Chase Young. If anything, this game could end up being ugly, similar to Washington’s season-opening win over Jacksonville. We’ll go with our initial gut feeling, assume Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson and D’Andre Swift will tough it out, and it will be enough to get the Lions into the win column, barely. Lions, 20-19
► Bob Wojnowski: Too early to put the Lions on must-win alert? Probably, but it sure feels that way. They’re favored for the first time in 24 games despite their defensive misery against the Eagles. The offense will have to carry them, and D’Andre Swift will have to carry the offense, and Jared Goff will have to play loose and mistake-free. The Commanders present a different challenge with Carson Wentz, a pocket passer who’s already connecting with rookie receiver Jahan Dotson. The Lions need to crank up the pressure, and Aidan Hutchinson and Charles Harris need to get home on Wentz, who’s far less mobile than Jalen Hurts. Helped by the home crowd, the Lions will collect four sacks and avert disaster. Lions, 27-20