The Detroit Lions’ dream season came crashing down in stunning fashion as the Washington Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, pulled off a shocking 45-31 upset in the NFC Divisional Round at Ford Field. The Lions, the NFC’s top seed, were heavily favored but fell victim to costly turnovers and a resilient Washington squad that simply refused to back down.
Daniels delivered a standout performance, throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns while adding 51 rushing yards. Washington’s ground game also played a crucial role, with Brian Robinson scoring twice and leading the team with 77 rushing yards. The Commanders made history as just the second team ever to start a rookie quarterback and take down a No. 1 seed in the playoffs—the last being the 2008 Baltimore Ravens.
Detroit’s offense had its moments, with Jared Goff throwing for 304 yards and a touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the Lions with 137 receiving yards, and Jahmyr Gibbs had a strong first half with 96 rushing yards before finishing with 105. However, the defining story of the game was Detroit’s inability to protect the football. Goff committed four turnovers—three interceptions and a fumble—while the Lions totaled five giveaways compared to none for Washington.
The game had its share of wild moments. At one point, four different Lions attempted passes, including backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater—who was retired just weeks ago—running back David Montgomery, and receiver Jameson Williams. Williams flashed his playmaking ability with a 61-yard rushing touchdown but also threw an interception on a trick play.
Despite their struggles, the Lions had chances late. Trailing by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, they moved the ball efficiently against Washington’s prevent defense, but missed opportunities—including a missed 36-yard field goal by Riley Patterson—sealed their fate. A last-ditch effort by Goff ended with another interception in the red zone, allowing Washington to run out the clock and secure their trip to the NFC Championship.
For the Lions, the loss was a devastating end to a season filled with historic milestones. They won a franchise-record 15 games and claimed back-to-back division titles for the first time in team history. But their championship aspirations will have to wait another year.
Washington, meanwhile, continues its Cinderella run. The Commanders, a team projected by many to be in rebuild mode, now await the winner of the Eagles-Rams matchup for a shot at the Super Bowl.
For Detroit fans, this one will sting for a long time. But if this season proved anything, it’s that the Lions are no longer the league’s punching bag—they’re a team with real championship potential. Now, the challenge is learning from this heartbreak and coming back even stronger next year.
