By Mummy Grace Lions Fall to Commanders, Raising Questions About Their Super Bowl Window
The Detroit Lions’ Super Bowl dreams came to a screeching halt on Saturday night as they suffered a 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round. Playing in front of a raucous home crowd at Ford Field, the Lions couldn’t overcome a disastrous night of turnovers and miscues, raising concerns about whether their championship window might be starting to close.
Despite an impressive offensive performance that saw Detroit rack up 521 yards, the Lions turned the ball over five times—including three interceptions and a lost fumble from quarterback Jared Goff. Goff, who had been a model of efficiency all season, completed just 23 of 40 passes for 313 yards, far below his usual accuracy.
For Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, though, there was no question about where his loyalty lies. Speaking passionately after the game, Ragnow defended Goff in a heartfelt locker room interview.
“I will ride with Jared Goff ’til the day I die,” Ragnow said. “Any aspect of life, football, no matter what it is. One of the most standup human beings, players, leaders—you name it—and I’ll always have his back.”
Turnovers Cost the Lions Big
The Lions entered the playoffs as one of the NFC’s most formidable teams, coming off a 15-2 regular season. However, turnovers proved to be their Achilles’ heel against the Commanders. Detroit simply couldn’t recover after falling behind 31-21 at halftime, forcing plays that weren’t there and straying from the balanced game plan that had been so successful all year.
Washington’s defense, led by coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., capitalized on Detroit’s mistakes at every turn, making life miserable for Goff and the Lions’ offense.
Silver Linings Amid the Disappointment
While the loss is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow for Lions fans, the team’s resilience and offensive firepower were still on display. Outgaining the Commanders 521-481 in total yardage, Detroit showed they have the tools to compete with the best—when they’re not turning the ball over, that is.
The emotional response from players like Ragnow also highlights the strong bond within this team. Goff, despite his struggles, remains a respected leader in the locker room, and his teammates are standing by him.
What’s Next for Detroit?
The loss raises difficult questions about the Lions’ future. With key coordinators like Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn potentially departing for head coaching opportunities, the team could face a period of transition. However, head coach Dan Campbell has built a culture of grit and accountability, and the Lions have the core pieces to remain competitive in the years to come.
As Ragnow said, it’s clear that the Lions aren’t about to give up on their quarterback—or their future. Now, it’s about learning from the mistakes of Saturday night and coming back stronger in 2025.