A franchise record 15 regular season wins came on an 8-mile road trip for the Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, the Lions saw their best regular season in franchise history go to waste.
Jayden Daniels threw two touchdowns in a flawless performance from Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Terry McLaurin #17 after defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they have all season with a quarterback -rookie guard, a new coach and a general manager.
“I always believed we could accomplish more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.
Detroit, the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time, doomed its chances by turning it over five times.
“If you turn the ball over five times against this team, it’s going to be tough to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil threw two interceptions, including one on a trap play with receiver Jameson Williams going into coverage after a fourth-quarter loss. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.
Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, returning it three times in the unfortunate first half.
Daniels finished with 299 passing yards and 51 rushing yards and – just as importantly – did not turn the ball over.
He became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me about him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned a short pass from Daniels into a 58-yard touchdown.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington last week to its first playoff victory in 19 years. The Commanders beat Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback victory and fifth straight on the final play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime.
The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn’t let Detroit stay that close.
“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They deserved this match, but we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – to take a 31-21 halftime lead.
Daniels totaled 242 passing yards in the first half, setting a rookie record a week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in rushing and passing yards in a playoff victory.
The former LSU star, who was the second overall pick, was 22 of 31, including the long screen TD to McLaurin and a 5-yard toss for a score to Zach Ertz in the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders is tackled by Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
Goff finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their last lead midway through the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs had 105 yards and two touchdowns while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff dug into a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the first quarter and Washington took advantage.
Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive capped by Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his target and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14. Goff took a hit from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater under center, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse.
Detroit’s defense, however, couldn’t stop the Commanders all night. Washington set a season scoring record.
The Lions had a chance to cut the deficit in the final minute of the first half, but Goff’s pass over the middle was caught by Sainristil in the end zone.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball against Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoffs at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Detroit started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and drive 76 yards in 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second touchdown to bring the score to 31-28.
The Lions, however, were not stingy on defense for long.
Washington put together a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field facing fourth-and-2 from its own 5 – and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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