The Redskins make their first appearance at the Silverdome since 1990 looking to maintain their overwhelming dominance in this series.

Including playoffs, the Redskins not only own an imposing 26-8 edge in the standings, but have prevailed in the last 18 meetings (including 2-0 in playoffs) between the clubs dating back to 1968, including a 30-7 triumph in 1997 at Washington in the most recent battle between the teams.

The Lions' last win in this lopsided rivalry came in 1965, a 14-10 triumph at Detroit.

The Redskins are 3-0 lifetime at the Silverdome dating back to 1978, their last appearance in Pontiac resulting in a 41-38 overtime victory in 1990.

Numbers: In his last 13 starts (2 with Minnesota in 1998, 11 with Washington in 1999), Redskins QB Brad Johnson has thrown for 3,179 yards, 23 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions, with his team scoring a combined 399 points (31, 38, 35, 50, 27, 38, 24, 20, 48, 17, 28, 23 and 20 points) in those contests. RB Stephen Davis has rushed for 1,095 yards and 16 touchdowns in 11 games in 1999, running for 100-plus yards in five of those contests. In his 3 previous seasons (1996-98), Davis rushed for 815 yards and 5 touchdowns in 42 games and had failed to gain 100 or more yards rushing in any of those contests. In his last 22 games dating back to '98, WR Michael Westbrook has caught 89 passes for 1,602 yards and 12 touchdowns, totaling 100 or more yards receiving in seven of those games. In his three previous seasons (1995-97), Westbrook caught 102 passes for 1,586 yards and just 5 touchdowns in 35 games and totaled 100 or more yards receiving in just 2 of those contests. After allowing a team-record 61 sacks in 16 games in '98 (3 or more sacks in 13 of those contests), Redskins have allowed 14 sacks in 11 games in '99, three or more sacks in just two of those 11 contests. Since 1993, the Redskins have given up 130 or more yards rushing in 54-of-107 games, 200 or more yards on the ground in 12 of those contests, while limiting the opposition to fewer than 100 yards rushing in just 23 of those 107 games. The Redskins have committed 11 turnovers in their last four games (2-2) after committing just seven turnovers in their first seven contests (5-2) in '99. They have allowed 120 or more yards rushing in 18 of their last 27 contests dating back to '98. RB Stephen Davis has scored at least one touchdown in five straight games.

Including playoffs, the Lions have allowed 300 points in 21 victories (17 or fewer points in 15 of those wins) and 618 points in 23 losses dating back to '97. Including playoffs, the Lions have forced 47 turnovers in 21 wins, 21 takeaways in 23 losses dating back to '97. They have allowed three or more sacks in 8-of-11 contests in '99. WR Germane Crowell has scored at least one touchdown in four straight games.

Things to look for: Washington's defense and special teams once again made another Sunday interesting, but Norv Turner's club did manage to escape with a win and maintain a one-game lead in the NFC East. The Lions are one of the best stories of the season and regardless of who's at the helm of the offense, should find the end zone early and often. This looks like one of those "last team with the ball wins" affairs.

Etc.: The Lions are just 23-33-2 in their next game after Thanksgiving.

WR Irving Fryar (12,105) needs 41 yards to tie Charlie Joiner (12,146) for 7th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list... Lions have won 4 straight home games.

Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Lions are 21-23 under head coach Bobby Ross, 14-8 vs. NFC Central rivals and just 7-15 vs. the rest of the NFL.