It’s hard not to think about what could’ve been for the Detroit Lions after that tough loss to the Washington Commanders. Every big play, every missed tackle, every stalled drive feels magnified when the outcome slips away so narrowly. Detroit had chances — real ones — to turn the tide, but the execution just wasn’t there when it mattered most.
The offensive line struggled to give Jared Goff the time he needed, and even though there were flashes of brilliance from Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs, it wasn’t enough to overcome the mistakes. Defensively, the Lions couldn’t get consistent stops when they needed them most, letting Washington’s backup weapons find too many open lanes.
For head coach Dan Campbell, this one will sting — not just because of the score, but because of the opportunities left on the field. The Lions have built an identity around grit and resilience, but games like this show how fine the line really is between good teams and great ones.
Detroit fans are left thinking about the same question: if just one or two plays had gone differently, would the outcome have changed? For now, it’s all about regrouping — because the Lions can’t afford to live in “what might’ve been” for long.
Detroit Lions’ Regret Game: What Might’ve Been in Tough Commanders Matchup
