Lions waste best season in franchise history after falling apart to underdog Commanders in home playoff game

The Detroit Lions’ dream season came crashing down in a stunning 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff. Despite a franchise-record 15 regular season wins, the Lions were unable to advance to the NFC Championship game.

Washington, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, put on a flawless performance, throwing for two touchdowns and leading his team to victory. The Commanders, who were the sixth seed, overcame doubts and proved their critics wrong once again.

The Lions, who were the top seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history, were plagued by turnovers, committing five in total. Quarterback Jared Goff had a rough game, throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble in the first half alone.

Daniels, on the other hand, was composed and efficient, finishing with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing without turning the ball over. He became the second rookie quarterback in NFL history to knock off a top-seeded team in the playoffs.

Washington’s defense also played a crucial role in the victory, with Mike Sainristil recording two interceptions, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter. The Commanders outscored the Lions 28-14 in the second quarter, setting a new record for the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history.

Despite a strong effort from the Lions in the second half, Washington was able to maintain their lead and secure the win. The Commanders’ offense was firing on all cylinders, setting a season-high in points and advancing to the NFC Championship game for the first time in 33 years.

Overall, it was a heartbreaking end to an otherwise historic season for the Lions. Washington’s impressive performance, led by their rookie quarterback, proved that anything is possible in the NFL playoffs. The Commanders will now look ahead to the NFC Championship game with confidence, while the Lions will have to regroup and prepare for next season.