The Detroit Lions were riding high into the playoffs last season with a 15-2 record and the NFC’s top seed—but everything came crashing down when the Washington Commanders rolled into Ford Field and stunned them 45-31 in one of the biggest upsets in recent memory. And according to Dan Campbell, that loss still stings.
Washington’s young squad, led by rookie QB Jayden Daniels, forced five turnovers and built a commanding lead that Detroit never recovered from. For Campbell, the pain of that playoff collapse isn’t just a bad memory—it’s a motivational tool. He’s keeping a reminder of the loss on his office board that reads: “You failed. Own it.”
With both coordinators gone and several coaching staff changes this offseason, Detroit’s path back to the playoffs isn’t guaranteed. And as Washington retools for another postseason run, the Lions are left haunted by what could’ve been.
