Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shared a heartfelt message with his team following Saturday’s shocking loss to the Commanders.

The Lions endured a tough night, falling 45-31 to Washington in the Divisional Round despite entering as the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

The offseason now looms, leaving Detroit to reflect on missed opportunities, including a costly Jameson Williams turnover, a too many men on the field penalty, and Jared Goff’s critical interceptions that ended scoring drives.

While fans have plenty of reasons to question the outcome, Campbell placed the blame squarely on himself, acknowledging his responsibility for the team’s performance.

“We just didn’t play our best, and we didn’t complement each other. Ultimately, I didn’t have them ready,” Campbell admitted. “It’s hard to face that.”

Growing visibly emotional, Campbell spoke about the pain of losing, particularly when expectations were high for Detroit’s first Super Bowl push.

“It’s gut-wrenching to lose, no matter your seed. I’ve lost as a seven, six, five, even a one seed, and it never gets easier,” he said. “It’s just painful.”

Last year, after losing in the NFC Championship, Campbell cautioned against wasting rare opportunities, a sentiment now amplified following Saturday’s defeat.

Detroit’s future is uncertain, with top coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn likely to depart for head coaching roles.

Additionally, the financial realities of maintaining a contender loom large, as contract costs are set to rise.

The Lions may rally for another year, spurred by the sting of this loss, but this defeat feels heavier than last season’s.

Detroit faces a daunting road back, but resilience will once again define their journey.