By Mummy Grace 
Dan Campbell Takes Responsibility After Lions’ Playoff Exit: ‘We Didn’t Earn It’
The Detroit Lions’ historic 2024 season came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday night as they were eliminated by the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round. Despite being the NFL’s best team for much of the year, Detroit’s playoff hopes were dashed in a 45-31 loss that saw them fall short when it mattered most.
In his post-game address, an emotional Dan Campbell didn’t shy away from placing the blame squarely on his shoulders. “They earned that win and we didn’t,” Campbell said, acknowledging that the Commanders outplayed his team when it counted.
The Lions entered the postseason with high expectations after a franchise-record 15-2 regular season, but Campbell made it clear that, in the face of the loss, all the wins leading up to this moment didn’t bring comfort.
“After all this, the loss today, I love the guys and I respect them and I appreciate everything they’ve put into it,” Campbell said. “But it’s not the time to talk about what a great year or how many wins. The whole point of doing what you do is to get to the show. That’s why you play this game. And we fell short.”
Despite the disappointment, Campbell was resolute in taking full responsibility for the loss. “At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready,” he admitted, reflecting on his role in the team’s playoff exit.
For Campbell, it’s clear: the sting of the loss overshadows the accomplishments of the regular season. The Lions may have had a banner year, but their ultimate goal—getting to the Super Bowl—remains out of reach for now.