International Courant
A franchise-record 15 regular-season wins have been washed away over eight miles of street for the Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, the Lions watched their greatest common season in franchise historical past go to waste.
Jayden Daniels threw for 2 touchdowns in a flawless efficiency by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders reached the NFC championship recreation for the primary time since successful the Tremendous Bowl 33 years in the past.
“It is a surreal second,” Daniels stated.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Terry McLaurin #17 after beating the Detroit Lions 45-31 within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Discipline on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Photos)
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) have been almost double-digit underdogs towards the Tremendous Bowl favourite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts, as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and common supervisor.
“I all the time believed we might accomplish greater than folks gave us credit score for,” Daniels stated.
Detroit, the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the primary time, spoiled its probabilities by turning it over 5 occasions.
“In the event you flip the ball over 5 occasions towards that crew, it’ll be robust to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell stated.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, together with one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing protection on a reverse within the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a choose 40 yards for a landing.
Jared Goff threw three picks and misplaced a fumble, changing it 3 times within the ill-fated first half.
Daniels completed with 299 yards passing and 51 yards speeding, and simply as importantly, did not flip the ball over.
He grew to become the second beginning quarterback to beat a prime crew, becoming a member of Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore previous Tennessee on January 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” stated receiver Terry McLaurin, who transformed a brief cross from Daniels right into a 58-yard landing.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff victory in 19 years final week. The Commanders cruised previous Tampa Bay for his or her sixth comeback victory and fifth in a row within the remaining recreation following a scrimmage in regulation or additional time.
The Commanders, who transformed three of 4 fourth downs, did not let Detroit maintain it that shut.
“Give them credit score,” Campbell stated. “They deserved that match, and we did not.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 within the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff historical past – and took a 31-21 lead at halftime.
Daniels had 242 yards passing within the first half, setting a rookie document per week after changing into the primary rookie to guide his crew in yards speeding and passing in a playoff victory.
The previous LSU star, who was the No. 2 total choose, was 22 of 31, together with the lengthy landing catch to McLaurin and a five-yard throw for a rating to Zach Ertz within the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
The 5 most notorious fan moments in sports activities
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders is tackled by Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions throughout the third quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Discipline on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos)
Goff completed 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a landing cross to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their remaining lead halfway via the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, whereas Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled right into a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late within the first quarter and Washington took benefit.
Daniels transformed a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to increase a drive that was capped by Robinson’s 2-yard landing run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his supposed goal and Martin intercepted it and took it into the top zone, placing the Commanders up 24-14. Goff took a success from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater underneath middle, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse.
Nonetheless, Detroit’s defenses couldn’t maintain off the commanders all evening. Washington set a season excessive in factors.
The Lions had an opportunity to shut the deficit within the remaining minute of the primary half, however Goff’s cross over the deep center was picked off in the long run zone by Sainristil.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball towards Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions throughout the fourth quarter within the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Discipline on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Photos)
Detroit began the second half robust, forcing Washington to punt for the primary time and going 76 yards on 11 performs on the following drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second landing to make it 31–28 .
Nonetheless, the Lions weren’t stingy on protection for lengthy.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard landing drive — prolonged by Detroit having 12 males on the sector when dealing with fourth-and-2 of the 5 — and Robinson’s second quick landing run restored the 10-point lead Commanders.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
Comply with Fox Information Digital’s sports activities reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox Information Sports activities Huddle publication.
Jackson Thompson is a sportswriter for Fox Information Digital. He beforehand labored for ESPN and Enterprise Insider. Jackson has lined the Tremendous Bowl and NBA Finals and interviewed iconic figures Usain Bolt, Rob Gronkowski, Jerry Rice, Troy Aikman, Mike Trout, David Ortiz and Roger Clemens.
