Quick Take: Lions (3-1) at Redskins (2-1)

Last meeting
In November 2004, Washington running back Clinton Portis rushed for 147 yards and threw a 15-yard touchdown pass in a 17-10 win at Detroit.

Streaks
The Lions have won two of the past three matchups to cut the Redskins' overall series lead to 25-10.

Last week
Detroit scored an NFL-record 34 fourth-quarter points to rally past the rival Bears, 37-27, and improve to 3-1. The banged-up Redskins were off last week and did not resume practice until Monday, a rare seven-day in-season reprieve.

At stake
A win could put the surprising Lions into a first-place tie in the NFC North if the Packers lose to the Bears. The Redskins need a win to show that their effort through the first two and a half games is more indicative of who they are than their second-half collapse against the Giants when they were outscored 21-0.

Key matchup
Lions wide receivers vs. the Redskins secondary. Detroit boasts one of the best groups of receivers in the NFL. Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald have combined for 67 receptions in four games this season and rookie Calvin Johnson has 10 catches in three games after missing last week with a back injury. Washington bulked up its defensive backfield in the offseason with the free agent additions of Fred Smoot and David Macklin and the drafting of safety LaRon Landry with the sixth overall pick. So far the Redskins' revamped secondary has held up relatively well, ranking 13th, but it will face its stiffest challenge to date against Detroit.

Did you know?
Washington coach Joe Gibbs has never lost to the Lions. He is 11-0 in the regular season against Detroit and also beat the Lions in the 1991 NFC Championship Game.