On Saturday night, the Washington Commanders pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31 on the road.
This victory not only secured Washington’s spot in its first championship game in three decades but also highlighted quarterback Jayden Daniels as one of the league’s rising stars. Meanwhile, the No. 1 seed Lions saw their playoff hopes vanish in a shocking defeat.
The home crowd at Ford Field was left stunned, and head coach Dan Campbell echoed their emotions, lamenting the team’s costly mistakes and lack of execution.
“Yeah, I don’t know. I don’t know what it was,” Campbell told reporters post-game. “It was just one of those odd days.
Things felt off, and it wasn’t just one thing. That’s not who we’ve been all season. We just didn’t play well. At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready. We didn’t get it done.”
Campbell also acknowledged the toll the loss took on his players. “It’s tough, man. These guys put so much into it.
A lot of people don’t understand what they go through—pushing through injuries, staying locked in mentally. It’s a long season.”
Quarterback Jared Goff struggled in the Divisional Round, throwing three interceptions that hurt Detroit’s chances. He also fumbled in the first quarter, setting up a go-ahead touchdown for Washington.
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching mistake was receiver Jameson Williams’ interception during a trick play. All season, Detroit’s creative play-calling had been a strength, but on this night, it proved costly, sealing their fate.
In the aftermath, Campbell made a heartfelt three-word admission: “It’s my fault.” He took full responsibility for the team’s struggles and their early playoff exit.
Detroit’s aggressive style, which had defined their season, ultimately contributed to their downfall. The Commanders capitalized on every misstep, leaving Detroit to reflect on what might have been.
As the Lions face an unexpected end to their season, Washington moves within one game of NFC dominance. They’ll face either the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams on January 26, aiming to complete their remarkable playoff run.
For Detroit, the loss is a painful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football.
