By Sunday 
The Lions’ playoff dreams unravel as their coach and quarterback reflect on the devastating defeat.
The Detroit Lions’ playoff journey came to an abrupt end on Saturday, January 18, after a stunning 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders at Ford Field. Despite entering the Divisional Round as the NFC’s top seed, the Lions struggled from the outset, plagued by turnovers, missed opportunities, and critical mistakes.
Jared Goff Takes Responsibility
After the game, Lions quarterback Jared Goff faced the media, visibly frustrated and reflective.
“Just crap,” Goff said bluntly when asked about the game. “I wish I had an answer for you. It just sucks. Yeah, I wish I could have played a little bit better. I wish I could have taken care of the ball better. I wish I could have had the pick-six back, that was a really poor decision by me.”
Goff didn’t shy away from accountability, taking the blame for the team’s shortcomings. “It’s on me. I’ve got to take care of it better, and we would have given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that.”
The quarterback’s three first-half turnovers proved costly, with each resulting in points for the Commanders. “Those turnovers are what I’m beating myself up about,” Goff admitted. “All three of them turned into points.”
Dan Campbell Accepts His Share
While Goff took responsibility for his errors, head coach Dan Campbell was quick to shoulder the overall blame for the team’s performance. Known for his transparency and emotional leadership, Campbell didn’t deflect criticism.
“At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready,” Campbell said. “It’s hard to look at it.”
Campbell acknowledged the impact of the turnovers but praised his defense for their resilience. “Defense holds them, limits points, and we come back and turn the ball over,” he explained.
Reflecting on the loss, Campbell grew visibly emotional. “What the players put into it … what people don’t know, what they go through. You have to get up, body’s beat to … you know, mentally stay locked in and do those things so … long season … It’s my fault. It’s my fault.”
A Game of Setbacks
The game was marred by misfortune for the Lions, including an injury scare for Goff in the first half. After throwing his second turnover, Goff was evaluated for a concussion following a hit during Quan Martin’s interception return, which resulted in a Commanders touchdown.
Veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater briefly replaced Goff, with Hendon Hooker waiting on the sidelines as the team’s third-string option. However, Goff cleared concussion protocol and returned to the game, only to throw another interception before halftime.
A Humbling End to a Promising Season
Both Campbell and Goff described the game as humbling, a stark reminder of the unpredictability and challenges of professional football. “Football is a humbling sport,” Goff said. “It was a humbling game.”
For Detroit, the loss brings an offseason of uncertainty. With both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn likely pursuing head coaching opportunities, and key players nearing contract negotiations, the Lions face an uphill battle to regroup and build on this season’s success.
Still, Campbell remains optimistic about the team’s resilience. “We’ll be back,” he promised. But for now, the sting of this loss lingers, leaving fans and players alike wondering what could have been.