The Lions cashed in on the Washington turnover and extended their lead to 13-3 with a Matt Prater 27-yard field goal with 13:14 remaining.
It took the Lions two plays to move past midfield before Matthew Stafford connected with Golden Tate for a 22-yard completion to set up at first-and-10 at the Washington 24.
Stafford extended the drive by hitting Anquan Boldin for a 9-yard gain on a third-and-6 to give the Lions a first down at the 11.
The Lions went backwards as Stafford was sacked for a 3-yard loss and Taylor Decker was flagged for holding to make it second-and-22 at the 23.