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A franchise-record 15 regular-season wins were washed away by an 8-mile road trip for Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss for Commanders of Washington on Saturday, the Lions watched their best regular season in franchise history slip away.
Jaden Daniels threw two touchdowns in a flawless performance by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Chiefs advanced to the NFC Championship for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
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Jaden 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 nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they have all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager.
“I’ve always believed that we can achieve more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.
Detroit, the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time, doomed its chances to nothing by turning it over five times.
“If you turn the ball over five times against this team, you’re going to have a hard time winning,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a fumble when Jameson Williams threw a reverse into coverage in the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned the pick 40 yards for a touchdown.
Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over three times in an ill-fated first half.
Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing and, just as importantly, did not turn the ball over.
He became the second starting quarterback to shut out a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore on Jan. 10, 2009, against Tennessee.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned Daniels’ short pass into a 58-yard touchdown.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders beat Tampa Bay for their sixth win and fifth in a row in the final game after going into regulation or overtime.
The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, kept Detroit from getting that close.
“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They earned this game and we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter — the most scoring quarter in NFL playoff history — and took a 31-21 lead into halftime.
Daniels threw for 242 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 No. 2 overall pick, was 22 of 31, including a long TD on a screen to McLaurin and a 5-yard toss to Zach Ertz in the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
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Jaden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders tackles 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. (Gregory Schamus/Getty Images)
Goff was 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorte that gave the Lions their final lead midway through the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jameer Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Late in the first quarter, Goff fumbled a pocket collapse on third-and-1 from the Commanders’ 17, 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 threw a TD to McLaurin, Goff overthrew the intended target and Martin intercepted it and drove it into the end zone to give the Commanders a 24-14 lead. Gough was hit by linebacker Frankie Louvoux on an interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater under center, Williams kicked a 61-yard field goal.
However, Detroit’s defense couldn’t 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 middle was picked off by Sainrystyle in the end zone.
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Jaden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders drives 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 go 76 yards in 11 plays on the next drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second touchdown that made it 31-28.
The Lions, however, didn’t last long on defense.
Washington went on a 15-play, 70-yard drive — extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth-and-2-from-5 — and Robinson’s second short touchdown restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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