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Detroit Lions' season ends after 45-31 loss to Washington Commanders in divisional round of the playoffs

Detroit Lions running game may be key factor vs. Washington Commanders 01:10

The Detroit Lions' season is over after losing to the Washington Commanders 45-31 in the divisional round of the playoffs Saturday night.

Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns in a flawless performance by Washington's dazzling rookie. 

Washington has reached the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.

The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager.

Detroit, the NFC's No. 1 seed for the first time, doomed its chances by turning it over five times.

Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.

Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in the ill-fated first half.

Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing, and — just as important — didn't turn the ball over.

First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders rallied past Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback win 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 keep it that close.

Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter — the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history — to take a 31-21 lead at halftime.

Daniels had 242 yards passing in the first half, setting a rookie record one week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in yards rushing and passing in a playoff win.

The former LSU star, who was the No. 2 pick overall, was 22 of 31, including a 58-yard touchdown pass on a screen to Terry McLaurin and a 5-yard throw for a score to Zach Ertz in the second quarter.

Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

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 ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.

Goff fumbled in 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. He threw a short pass to McLaurin and the speedy receiver did the rest, splitting two defenders in the flat and outrunning All-Pro safety Kerby Joseph for a go-ahead score.

Three snaps later, Goff overthrew his intended 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, though, could not stop the Commanders all night. Washington set a season high in points.

The Lions had a chance to cut into the deficit in the final minute of the first half, but Goff's pass over the deep middle was picked off by Sainristil in the end zone.

Detroit started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and going 76 yards on 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs' 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.

The Lions, though, weren't stingy for long on defense.

Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive — extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth-and-2 from its 5 — and Robinson's second short touchdown run restored the Commanders' 10-point lead.

Injuries

Commanders OG Sam Cosmi was injured on Robinson's go-ahead touchdown early in the second quarter. His right leg bent awkwardly and he limped off the field.

Lions CB Amik Robertson (elbow) was injured on Washington's second snap. OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and reserve DL Pat O'Connor (calf) were inactive.

Up next

Washington will play the winner of Sunday's Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles game next Sunday on the road for a spot in the Super Bowl.

Look below for a full game recap. 

 

Lions' Bates kicks 28-yard field goal; Commanders lead 45-31

Lions kicker Jake Bates scored a 28-yard field goal with 5:01 left in the game.

The Commanders lead 45-31. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders take 45-28 lead after TD run by RB McNichols

The Commanders are pulling away from the Lions in the fourth quarter following a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Jeremy McNichols. 

Washington leads Detroit 45-28 with 7:31 left in the game. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions trick play leads to interception for Commanders

A trick play involving a pass by Lions receiver Jameson Williams led to an interception for the Commanders in the fourth quarter.

The pass, intended for Jahmyr Gibbs, was intercepted by cornerback Mike Sainristil.

The Commanders lead 38-28 with 12:13 left in the game. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders up 38-28 after rushing TD by Robinson Jr.

The Commanders lead the Lions 38-28 with 13:29 left in the game after a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr.

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Jahmyr Gibbs scores touchdown on 8-yard run

The Lions trail the Commanders by three with 6:57 left in the third quarter following an 8-yard touchdown run by Jahmyr Gibbs.

Washington is up 31-28. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders lead 31-21 after TD catch by Ertz

Commanders tight end Zach Ertz scored a 5-yard touchdown reception with 1:46 left in the first half. 

Washington leads the Lions 31-21. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions WR Williams scores on 61-yard run

The Lions quickly responded to the Commanders' pick-six with a trick play leading to a touchdown.

Detroit called an end around to receiver Jameson Williams, which led to a 61-yard touchdown run with 4:01 left in the first half. 

The Lions trail the Commanders 24-21.

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions QB Goff throws pick-6 to Commanders S Martin

The Washington Commanders increased their lead to 24-14 over the Lions with 5:25 left in the second quarter after a 41-yard pick-six by safety Quan Martin.  

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders WR McLaurin scores 59-yard TD; Washington takes 17-14 lead

Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin scored a 59-yard touchdown reception with 6:23 left in the second quarter. 

Washington leads the Lions 17-14. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions TE LaPorta makes one-handed TD catch; Detroit leads 14-10

The Detroit Lions retook the lead with 7:44 left in the second quarter after a one-handed touchdown catch by tight end Sam LaPorta. 

LaPorta's 2-yard reception marked quarterback Jared Goff's first passing touchdown of the game. 

The Lions lead the Commanders 14-10.

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 18: Sam LaPorta #87 of the Detroit Lions catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter on Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Nic Antaya/Getty Images
By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders jump ahead of Lions 10-7 in second quarter

Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored on a 2-yard run with 10:55 left in the second quarter to help put Washington ahead of the Lions 10-7.

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Detroit Lions CB Robertson ruled out with elbow injury

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson will not return to Saturday's game, according to the team. 

Robertson suffered an elbow injury while tackling Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin early in the first quarter. 

More here

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders recover Lions QB Goff's fumble

The Commanders took over on downs with less than a minute left in the first quarter after Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong caused Lions QB Jared Goff to fumble the ball. 

The fumble was recovered by linebacker Frankie Luvu. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions CB Robertson questionable to return

According to the team, Lions cornerback Amik Robertson is questionable to return after sustaining an elbow injury. 

Robertson was hurt early in the first quarter while tackling Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin. 

More here.

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders K Gonzalez scores field goal; Lions lead 7-3

The Commanders' first points of the game came from kicker Zane Gonzalez, who kicked a 47-yard field goal with 3:50 left in the first quarter.

The Lions lead Washington 7-3. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions RB Gibbs scores first points of the game

The Detroit Lions jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the Commanders after a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Jahmyr Gibbs with 7:36 left in the first quarter. 

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Commanders turn it over on downs

The Detroit Lions made a fourth down stand and took over on downs with 10:38 left in the first quarter.

The Lions defense stopped Washington Commanders backup quarterback Marcus Mariota from getting past the first down marker, allowing Detroit to take over on downs at their own 28-yard line.

By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions CB Amik Robertson helped off field in first quarter

Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson was helped off the field by team personnel early in the first quarter after what appeared to be an injury. 

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 18: Amik Robertson #21 of the Detroit Lions is helped off the field after being injured during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Nic Antaya / Getty Images
By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lions QB Teddy Bridgewater to serve as backup to Jared Goff

The Detroit Lions chose veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater over Hendon Hooker to back up Jared Goff against the Washington Commanders on Saturday night.

Detroit kept Bridgewater active and listed Hooker as the emergency quarterback for the divisional playoff game.

Click here for the full story.

By The Associated Press
 

Aidan Hutchinson ready to support Lions

Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was seen at Ford Field ahead of Saturday's game. 

The former first-round draft pick suffered a left tibia injury in October that sidelined him for the rest of the regular season. 

Hutchinson said on a podcast last month that he's promised teammates he'd be back if the Lions make the Super Bowl. 

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Detroit Lions
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 18: Aidan Hutchinson #97 of the Detroit Lions looks on prior to the NFC Divisional Playoff against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. Nic Antaya / Getty Images
By Nicholas Lentz
 

Fans in downtown Detroit roaring with excitement

Fans in downtown Detroit were beaming with excitement ahead of Saturday's game, with many aspiring for a long playoff run. 

Detroit Lions fans roaring with excitement ahead of divisional game 02:51
By Nicholas Lentz
 

Lifelong Detroit Lions fans rallying for a Super Bowl appearance

Many Detroit Lions fans have been waiting a long time for this moment, and for some of them, they've been waiting since the team relocated to Detroit 90 years ago.   

Click here for the full story.

By Jack Springgate
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