For the first time in franchise history, the Detroit Lions will make their NFL playoffs debut as the No. 1 seed.

It means they got last week off while the rest of the playoff teams (save for the Chiefs) had to battle it out in the Wild Card round, but they’re back in action today against the Washington Commanders. It’s the first time this century that both teams are in the playoffs at the same time — the last time was in 1999, when Washington bested Detroit in the Wild Card round.

For Detroit, it’s Super Bowl or bust this year after coming up short in the 2023-24 NFC title game, and with the top offense in the league, it’s no wonder how they got here this year. The Commanders, on the other hand, clinched their first playoff berth since 2020 this year with a first-year head coach at the helm and a rookie quarterback leading the offense.

Here’s everything you need to know about Washington vs. Detroit, from start time and channel, to how to watch for free.

Lions-Commanders date and time: When do the Commanders play the Lions?

Kickoff at the Commanders-Lions game is set for 8:00 p.m. ET tonight, January 18.

What channel is the Commanders vs. Lions Divisional round game airing on?

The Commanders vs. Lions game is airing on FOX. If you have cable or a TV antenna, all you have to do is change the channel around 8:00 p.m. this evening.

How to watch Commanders vs. Lions for free:

If you don’t have cable, the best way to stream the Commanders vs. Lions divisional round game for free is to use a live TV streaming service with a free trial.

We recommend DIRECTV Stream, which offers a five-day free trial for new subscribers. When the trial is over, you’ll pay $86.98/month and gain access to over 90 live channels including FOX.

fuboTV also offers a free trial for new users. It runs for seven days, and then you’ll be able to save $5 on your first month ($74.99, $79.99/month after).

Other ways to stream Commanders vs. Lions:

While Sling TV doesn’t offer a free trial, you’ll save money on a whole month of streaming rather than just five days free. Sling TV’s Blue plan, which includes FOX, is currently half off for your first month. Instead of $50.99, you’ll pay $25.50. Just one month of Sling Blue will cover the entire run of the NFL playoffs through the Super Bowl.

How to Watch Commanders vs. Lions from Anywhere:

If you are outside of the US or unable to watch the NFL in your region, consider a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Whether you’re traveling or living abroad, using a VPN allows you to stream live TV and your favorite shows and movies using your usual streaming services, without any restrictions. A VPN lets you change the IP address on your device so that you can access your favorite apps and websites whether you’re in the UK, Canada, Mexico, or anywhere in the world.

NFL playoffs schedule:

Divisional round:

Saturday, January 18

• Houston at Kansas City, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN)
• Washington at Detroit, 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)

Sunday, January 19

• Rams at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. ET (NBC)
• Baltimore at Buffalo, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Conference championship round:

Sunday, January 26

• NFC Championship, 3:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
• AFC Championship, 6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Super Bowl LIX

Sunday, February 9

• AFC Champion vs. NFC Champion, 6:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

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This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Writer/Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping and New York Post’s streaming property, Decider. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on each streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. Prior to joining Decider and New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews