A franchise-record 15 regular-season wins were washed away before the 8-mile mark Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss to the Washington commanders On Saturday, the Lions watched their best regular season in franchise history go to waste.
Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns in an impeccable performance by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders reached the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Terry McLaurin #17 after beating the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts, as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager.
“I always believed we could accomplish more than people gave us credit for,” Daniels said.
Detroit, the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time, botched its chances by turning it over five times.
“If you turn the ball over five times against that team, it’s going to be tough to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing coverage on a reverse in the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.
Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, converting it three times in the ill-fated first half.
Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing, and just as importantly, didn’t turn the ball over.
He became the second starting quarterback to beat a top team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who converted a short pass from Daniels into a 58-yard touchdown.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff victory in 19 years last week. The Commanders rallied past Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback victory and fifth in a row in the final game after a scrimmage in regulation or overtime.
The Commanders, who converted three of four fourth downs, didn’t let Detroit keep it that close.
“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They deserved that match, and we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – and took a 31-21 lead at halftime.
Daniels had 242 yards passing in the first half, setting a rookie record a week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in yards rushing and passing in a playoff victory.
The former LSU star, who was the No. 2 overall pick, was 22 of 31, including the long touchdown catch to McLaurin and a five-yard throw for a score to Zach Ertz in 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 during the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Goff finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead midway through the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled into a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the first quarter and Washington took advantage.
Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive that was capped by Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended target and Martin intercepted it and took it into the end zone, putting the Commanders up 24-14. Goff took a hit from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater under center, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse.
However, Detroit’s defenses could not hold off the commanders all night. Washington set a season high in points.
The Lions had a chance to close the deficit in the final minute of the first half, but Goff’s pass over the deep middle was picked off in the end zone by Sainristil.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball against Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and going 76 yards on 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31–28 .
However, the Lions weren’t stingy on defense for long.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive — extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth-and-2 of the five — and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the 10-point lead Commanders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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