The Detroit Lions continued their streak of avoiding back-to-back losses as head coach Dan Campbell appeared to take direct control of play-calling. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, while running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored three times, leading Detroit to a 44-22 triumph over the Washington Commanders in front of President Donald Trump.

Trump, arriving late in the first half, became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a regular-season NFL game since 1978 and only the third ever. The Lions (6-3) jumped out to a 22-0 lead and never looked back.

Washington (3-7), missing quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin due to injury, suffered its fifth straight defeat, a stark contrast to their 12-5 record last season when they advanced past Detroit in the playoffs on their way to the NFC Championship.

The Commanders tried shifting defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. from the booth to the sideline, but the move did little to address defensive struggles, and they offered minimal resistance.

Goff finished 25 of 33 for 320 yards with no interceptions, connecting for touchdowns with Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown — who celebrated with a “Trump dance” — and Williams. Gibbs added scoring runs of 13 and 43 yards, totaling 142 rushing yards on 15 carries, while Williams hauled in six passes for 119 yards.

The win maintained Detroit’s impressive streak, the longest active in the NFL, of never losing consecutive regular-season games since a five-game skid ended in October 2022.

Following a sloppy 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings the previous week, Campbell appeared to exert more hands-on control over the offense, holding a personal play sheet and communicating frequently through his headset during drives.

Last season’s offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, departed to lead the Chicago Bears and was replaced by John Morton.

Washington fell behind 32-10 early in the second half, marking their fourth consecutive one-sided game. Fans exited early, as did President Trump after a brief appearance on the broadcast.

Daniels, who had missed only one game before after earning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, sat out his fourth game of the season due to a dislocated left elbow. Backup Marcus Mariota stepped in, completing 16 of 22 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns, despite the absence of top receivers McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Luke McCaffrey.