A franchise-record 15 common season wins was washed down 8-mile highway for the Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, the Lions watched their finest common season in franchise historical past go to waste.
Jayden Daniels threw for 2 touchdowns in a flawless efficiency by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders reached the NFC championship recreation for the primary time since successful the Tremendous Bowl 33 years in the past.
“It’s a surreal second,” Daniels stated.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Terry McLaurin #17 after defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31 within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Subject on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Photos)
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) had been practically double-digit underdogs in opposition to the Tremendous Bowl favourite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and common supervisor.
“I all the time believed that we may obtain greater than folks give us credit score for,” Daniels stated.
Detroit, the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the primary time, doomed its possibilities by turning it over 5 occasions.
“In case you flip the ball over 5 occasions in opposition to that group, it’ll be onerous to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, together with one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into protection off a reverse within the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a decide 40 yards for a landing.
Jared Goff threw three picks and misplaced a fumble, turning it over thrice within the ill-fated first half.
Daniels completed with 299 yards passing and 51 yards speeding, and — simply as vital — didn’t flip the ball over.
He grew to become the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded group, becoming a member of Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore previous Tennessee on Jan. 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” stated receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned a brief move from Daniels right into a 58-yard landing.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years final week. The Commanders rallied previous Tampa Bay for his or her sixth comeback win and fifth straight on the ultimate play from scrimmage in regulation or additional time.
The Commanders, who transformed 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn’t let Detroit maintain it that shut.
“Give them credit score,” Campbell stated. “They earned that recreation, and we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 within the second quarter — the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff historical past — to take a 31-21 lead at halftime.
Daniels had 242 yards passing within the first half, setting a rookie file one week after changing into the primary rookie to steer his group in yards speeding and passing in a playoff win.
The previous LSU star, who was the No. 2 decide general, was 22 of 31, together with the lengthy TD on the display screen to McLaurin and a 5-yard throw for a rating to Zach Ertz within the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders is tackled by Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions through the third quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Subject on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos)
Goff completed 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a landing move to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead halfway via the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns whereas Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled in a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late within the first quarter and Washington took benefit.
Daniels transformed a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to increase a drive capped by Robinson’s 2-yard landing run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his supposed goal and Martin intercepted it and took it to the top zone, placing the Commanders forward 24-14. Goff took successful from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater beneath heart, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse.
Detroit’s protection, although, couldn’t cease the Commanders all evening. Washington set a season excessive in factors.
The Lions had an opportunity to chop into the deficit within the remaining minute of the primary half, however Goff’s move over the deep center was picked off by Sainristil ultimately zone.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball in opposition to Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions through the fourth quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Subject on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Photos)
Detroit began the second half sturdy, forcing Washington to punt for the primary time and going 76 yards on 11 performs on the following drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second landing to make it 31-28.
The Lions, although, weren’t stingy for lengthy on protection.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard landing drive — prolonged by Detroit having 12 males on the sphere when dealing with fourth-and-2 from its 5 — and Robinson’s second brief landing run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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