DETROIT — The Detroit Lions seemed poised for success, having meticulously prepared for the playoffs following a bitter end to the previous season. After a commendable 15-2 record that earned them the NFC’s top seed, they enjoyed a first-round playoff bye and anticipated the possibility of playing at home, Ford Field, through to the Super Bowl. However, the outcome was anything but favorable for them.
In a disheartening turn of events, the Lions faltered against the Washington Commanders, succumbing to a 45-31 defeat marked by five turnovers. This crushing loss eliminated any hopes of the franchise securing its first Super Bowl victory. “We just didn’t complement each other,” reflected head coach Dan Campbell, visibly emotional during the post-game press conference. “We couldn’t get a crucial stop when needed, and when we did get one, we would turn the ball over. Five turnovers is unacceptable, regardless of when they occurred.”
Quarterback Jared Goff found himself shouldering much of the blame, having thrown three interceptions and suffered a fumble, which was also his first of the season. One interception was returned for a touchdown by Quan Martin, extending the Commanders’ lead to 24-14. Goff acknowledged his shortcomings, admitting, “If I play better, do we win? Quite possibly. I cost us points by not taking care of the ball, and that’s something that’s going to sting for a long time.”
While Goff’s performance was disappointing, he was not alone in facing difficulties on the field. Commanders’ rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels exhibited exceptional skill, completing passes that allowed his receivers to gain significant yardage after the catch. Out of his 299 passing yards, 188 were generated after the initial reception. “We knew what the tape said about him,” Campbell commented. “We knew he would be a challenge, and unfortunately, we didn’t manage it well.”
Adding to the Lions’ woes, their already injury-depleted defense allowed 481 total yards — the third highest this season. They conceded 182 rushing yards, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combining for 124 yards on 21 carries. Notably, they failed to sack Daniels, a continuing issue since losing star Aidan Hutchinson to a leg injury earlier in October. Hutchinson had hoped to recover in time for the Super Bowl, but the situation was dire without him.
As if that weren’t enough, the Lions also faced another setback when cornerback Amik Robertson was sidelined with a broken arm early in the game. “That hurt us a bit, but Kindle Vildor came in and held his own,” Campbell pointed out. However, the injuries weren’t the sole reason for their defeat, as mental errors contributed significantly to their downfall. After narrowing the score to 31-28 in the fourth quarter, the Lions failed to capitalize on a crucial stop opportunity while Washington faced a fourth-and-2 from inside the Lions’ five-yard line, resulting in a penalty for having too many players on the field. Shortly after, Robinson scored, widening the gap to 38-28.
Campbell took responsibility for that crucial moment but had to contend with yet another baffling decision later on when he opted for Jameson Williams to throw a pass to Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams hesitated and threw into coverage, leading to a second interception by rookie Mike Sainristil. The Commanders subsequently drained over four minutes off the clock before sealing the game with a touchdown that brought the score to 45-28. “I obviously wish he had run the ball instead,” lamented Campbell.
Previously, Campbell expressed how difficult it is to carve a path to the Super Bowl, stating how last year’s loss to the 49ers might have cost the Lions their golden opportunity. After this latest disappointment, he was clearly at a loss for words, unable to reflect on the season’s successes. “This isn’t the moment for that conversation,” Campbell said. “This hurts too much. The ultimate goal is to reach that big game, and we failed to do that.”
