In a surprising turn of events, the Washington Commanders defeated the top-seeded Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC Divisional Round, securing their first NFC Championship appearance since 1991.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell took full responsibility for the loss, stating, “It’s my fault. It’s my fault.” He added, “We just didn’t play great… At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready.”
The Commanders capitalized on five Detroit turnovers, including three interceptions and a lost fumble by quarterback Jared Goff. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led Washington with 299 passing yards and two touchdowns, showcasing remarkable poise.
Despite a stellar regular season with a 15-2 record, the Lions’ playoff run ended abruptly. Campbell expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s hard when you lose… It hurts.”
The Commanders will face either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Los Angeles Rams in the upcoming NFC Championship game.
