The 2024 Detroit Lions entered the season as one of the most hyped teams in the NFL, with many viewing them as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

However, their year ended abruptly and disappointingly with a loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.

For a team that dominated much of the regular season, failing to win a single playoff game—or even reach the NFC Championship—has left fans and players reeling. The pain of this unexpected ending is both real and understandable.

When frustration runs high, as it has with the Lions fanbase and some NFL analysts, emotionally charged and illogical takes often follow.

While I also felt the sting of this loss, there’s been enough time to reflect and separate knee-jerk reactions from reality. It’s time to address and debunk the worst takes circulating after this shocking playoff exit.

Overanalyzing Playoff Performances

A common frustration with sports discussions is the overemphasis placed on postseason performances.

Yes, legacies are often built in playoff moments, but the small sample size of games frequently leads to exaggerated conclusions.

Players like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are often criticized for their playoff records despite consistently being among the league’s top quarterbacks and leading their teams to deep postseason runs.

Jared Goff faces similar scrutiny. While his overall career resume doesn’t match that of Allen or Jackson, he has proven he can succeed in the playoffs.

Goff has led teams to two conference championships and would have been in two Super Bowls if not for dropped passes in key moments last year against San Francisco.

His postseason runs consistently showcase the strength of offenses he’s led, as seen in the team’s efficiency rankings (DVOA):

2017 Rams: First in scoring, 12th in points allowed (lost Wild Card)

2018 Rams: Second in scoring, 20th in points allowed (lost Super Bowl)

2020 Rams: 22nd in scoring, first in points allowed (lost Divisional Round)

2023 Lions: Fifth in scoring, 23rd in points allowed (lost Conference Championship)

2024 Lions: First in scoring, seventh in points allowed (lost Divisional Round)

With the exception of 2020, Goff consistently led top-five offenses in the playoffs, often compensating for below-average defenses. The Lions’ defensive struggles in late 2024 further highlight the challenge he faced.

Statistically, Goff’s playoff numbers don’t paint an impressive picture overall, but they stem from a limited sample size. Over 10 postseason games, his stats are less than stellar. However, his recent playoff performances tell a different story.

In 2023, Goff had a standout postseason, completing 69.4% of his passes for 837 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, with a passer rating of 103.3. His success rate of 52.1% outshined quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes (51.1%), Lamar Jackson (46.8%), and Brock Purdy (45.5%).

While his playoff history is mixed, Goff’s consistent near-MVP regular-season production and strong recent playoff performances suggest he has what it takes to succeed when circumstances align.

The “Dual-Threat Quarterback” Obsession

Another frequent criticism is that the Lions can’t win big games with Goff because he isn’t a mobile quarterback.

This argument stems from the perceived advantage that dual-threat quarterbacks bring, particularly in high-stakes playoff games.

This year’s conference championship featured quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Josh Allen, all of whom use mobility to keep defenses off balance.

There’s no denying that mobility provides an added dimension to an offense. It allows quarterbacks to extend plays, avoid pressure, and create opportunities against elite defenses.

However, Goff and the Lions proved they could dominate offensively without relying on a rushing quarterback.

The Lions led the NFL in scoring this season, and they came within a half of reaching the Super Bowl just last year with Goff under center. Additionally, Matthew Stafford—a quintessential pocket passer—won the Super Bowl with the Rams just two seasons ago.

It’s fair to say that having a dual-threat quarterback makes things easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s a necessity.

Instead of attempting to replace Goff, the Lions’ focus should be on bolstering their defense to complement their already elite offense.

Blaming the Coaches for the Loss

Some have speculated that coaching distractions played a role in the Lions’ loss.

Both offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn interviewed for head coaching positions during the postseason, leading to claims that their focus might have wavered.

This narrative doesn’t hold up under scrutiny. Last year, Johnson and Glenn also conducted interviews during the playoffs, and the Lions still won two postseason games.

This season, their interviews took place during the team’s bye week when head coach Dan Campbell had excused the staff from regular duties. There’s no evidence to suggest these interviews negatively impacted their preparation for the Commanders.

Johnson, when asked about the topic, made it clear his attention was on the Lions’ playoff run. Glenn, a former Pro Bowl player and respected coach, has consistently demonstrated professionalism and dedication.

Suggesting that these coaches suddenly became distracted or selfish undermines the trust and respect they’ve earned within the organization.

Dan Campbell’s Aggressiveness Under Fire

A familiar critique of Lions head coach Dan Campbell is that his aggressive decision-making hurts the team in critical moments.

This narrative resurfaced after the loss to the Commanders, with some analysts pointing to specific plays as evidence of poor judgment.

For example, Mike Sando of The Athletic criticized Campbell for a third-and-1 empty-backfield pass that resulted in a strip sack and for allowing a trick play that led to an interception.

Let’s break these situations down. First, the Williams trick play was poorly timed and poorly executed. Campbell could have vetoed it, but his coaching philosophy involves trusting his coordinators.

This same approach has resulted in many successful trick plays for the Lions, so it’s unfair to retroactively criticize him for one failed attempt.

Moreover, trick plays are not inherently ineffective in the postseason—Detroit’s other trick plays in the game worked, and there are countless examples of successful gadget plays in playoff history.

The third-and-1 call is another example of misplaced blame. The Lions designed the play to exploit a favorable matchup: Amon-Ra St. Brown was supposed to beat a linebacker in coverage.

Unfortunately, St. Brown slipped, and protection broke down almost instantly. The play was designed as a quick drop and release, but everything went wrong.

While critics argue the Lions should have run the ball, Campbell explained that they had planned to go for it on fourth-and-1 if necessary, making the pass attempt a calculated risk for a potential big gain.

Critics often frame Campbell’s aggressive decisions as reckless, but his approach is rooted in logic and game theory.

His willingness to take calculated risks has been a cornerstone of Detroit’s success, and one or two missteps shouldn’t overshadow the broader positive impact of his philosophy.

The Lions’ 2024 season didn’t end the way fans hoped, but knee-jerk reactions and unfounded criticisms only cloud the bigger picture.

Jared Goff has proven he’s capable of leading an elite offense, even in the playoffs. The Lions don’t need a dual-threat quarterback to win a championship—they need a stronger defense.

Coaching distractions were not to blame for the loss, and Dan Campbell’s aggressive style remains a key part of the team’s identity.

It’s natural to feel disappointed after such a painful loss, but the Lions remain a team with a bright future.

Instead of fixating on unfounded narratives, fans and analysts alike should focus on the steps Detroit can take to come back stronger next season.