The Detroit Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders came as a shock for many reasons, and it’s clear that both the organization and city are reeling from the defeat.

This season felt like the one where the Lions would finally break through and contend for their first Super Bowl, but things ended in disappointment. Now, the team faces a long offseason with important decisions to make regarding both their roster and coaching staff.

Head coach Dan Campbell appeared visibly affected by the loss in his postgame interview. His wife, Holly Campbell, also posted a touching message on social media, revealing just how much this loss has impacted them.

As Holly shared, “This season was a dream, and nobody wanted it to end.” What makes this especially painful is how unexpected this ending was.

The Lions were the weekend’s biggest favorites, but a defense plagued by injuries couldn’t contain rookie QB Jayden Daniels and the high-powered Commanders offense. When you add in five turnovers, including four from QB Jared Goff, it’s hard to win.

Even with such poor defense, the Lions still managed to score 31 points. Without the turnovers, Detroit likely wins despite their defensive struggles. Goff had largely protected the football well throughout the season, but the pressure finally took its toll. A trick pass attempt by Jameson Williams late in the game that resulted in an interception perfectly encapsulated the turning point.

This was supposed to be Detroit’s best opportunity, but the team still has a solid foundation that should allow them to remain competitive in the years to come. Losses like this are painful, and it’s understandable that everyone is feeling the sting, but this season showed the Lions are here to stay. After all, you don’t win 15 games by accident.

Still, changes are looming. Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn may be in line for head coaching jobs, so perhaps the sorrow felt by the Campbell family signals the reality that this specific group may not get another chance.

Though this loss will be hard to forget, the Lions will eventually rise again, even if the pain lingers for a while.