Fresh off one of the best seasons in franchise history, the Detroit Lions entered the NFL playoffs as the NFC’s top seed and with ambitions of making their first Super Bowl.
Instead, the Lions were stopped before they could advance even to the conference title game. This season Washington has become synonymous with unpredictable comebacks, but another wasn’t necessary Saturday inside Detroit’s Ford Field. On the road but undaunted, Washington overwhelmed Detroit 45-31 behind rookie phenom Jayden Daniels and a Commanders defense that forced five turnovers to advance to the NFC title game for the first time since 1991.
The Commanders will play the winner of Sunday's Eagles-Rams matchup.
Washington trailed 7-0 midway through the first quarter, but took a lead it would never relinquish early in the second quarter on a short touchdown run by Brian Robinson. It started a wild second quarter that featured six touchdowns and 42 points combined between the teams. By halftime, though, the Commanders still led 31-21, and though the Lions would pull within three points midway through the third quarter, Washington answered with consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to extend their lead to as much as 17 points.
The 45 points are the most scored by Washington on the road in the playoffs in team history.
Daniels threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, was never sacked and rarely looked rattled by a defense led by Aaron Glenn, the Lions coordinator who is one of the most in-demand coaching candidates.
Offensively, Detroit was done in by five turnovers, including three interceptions by quarterback Jared Goff and another thrown by receiver Jameson Williams on an ill-fated trick play early in the fourth quarter. Drawn up by Lions coordinator Ben Johnson, who could also become a head coach as soon as this week, the play was intended to give Detroit a spark while trailing by 10 points; instead, it gave Washington the ball back, and it scored just eight plays later to lead by 17 and effectively put the game out of reach.
Earlier Saturday, Kansas City advanced to its seventh consecutive AFC conference championship game by beating Houston 23-14. Tight end Travis Kelce turned in a vintage playoff performance, catching a season-high 117 yards, including a season-long 49-yard catch. And Patrick Mahomes, too, added yet another highlight to his postseason reel, after somehow throwing a touchdown pass through Houston’s zone defense to Kelce while falling down.
Mahomes threw for 177 yards, and Kansas City was turnover-free for an eighth consecutive game. The Chiefs will face either the Bills or Ravens, who face off Sunday, in next week’s AFC title game.
Magic Johnson, part owner of Commanders, congratulates players
Final: Commanders 45, Lions 31
The Washington Commanders pull off the upset of the playoffs so far, knocking out the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions.
An absolutely brutal loss for the Lions, who were in the NFC Championship Game a season ago. Now they fail to make it out of the Divisional Round. Detroit turned it over four times Saturday, and couldn’t overcome several injuries on defense.
Meanwhile, the Commanders storybook season continues. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and an aggressive head coach in Dan Quinn, Washington will play in the conference title game for the first time since the 1991 season.
Missed field goal!
With 2:26 remaining in the fourth quarter, Washington's Zane Gonzalez pushed a 44-yard field goal attempt wide right, and the score remains Washington 45, Detroit 31. The drive didn't end in points but it did eat 2:35 of precious clock, leaving the Lions little time to mount a comeback.
Lions field goal too little, too late?
Washington's lead is down to two touchdowns, at 45-31, after Detroit's Jake Bates kicks a 28-yard field goal with 5:01 remaining in the game. The Lions need a stop for any chance to still win this game, but the Commanders have scored on six of their eight full drives (excluding an end-of-half kneeldown).
Washington leads, 45-28
The No. 1 seed in the NFC is just seven minutes away from being knocked out of the playoffs, after Washington added to its lead with a short rushing touchdown to take a 17-point lead. The Lions can't blame anyone but themselves for being in this position after turning the ball over four times and being largely unable to pressure Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Fourth down counter: Four
Another red zone trip, another fourth-down conversion for the Commanders.
This one was the biggest of the game, as Washington pushed its lead to three scores one play later.
The Commanders are 3 of 4 on fourth downs tonight.
Detroit commits fourth turnover
The fourth quarter has seen compounding self-inflicted wounds by Detroit. Following a penalty on the Lions' defense that set up Washington's most recent turnover, the Lions tried another trick play that ended in an interception by Washington, which wasn't fooled by the multiple-toss play.
Critical penalty leads to Washington touchdown
Washington was facing fourth-and-2 at Detroit's 5-yard line with 14:15 remaining in the fourth quarter when the flags began flying. Detroit had an extra defender on the field and was penalized for it. The flag gave Washington an automatic first down at the 2-yard line, and one play later Brian Robinson ran in for a touchdown and 38-28 Commanders lead.
Lions coach Dan Campbell could be seen shaking his head after the penalty.
Here’s where the Lions may have found their latest trick play
Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson dialed up a pretty unique play in the third quarter — a toss to running back David Montgomery that was actually a shovel pass to receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Where did that play come from? It turns out the Pittsburgh Steelers ran something similar in 2004, when Antwaan Randle El received a toss in the backfield only to quickly throw 10-yard touchdown pass.
Guess who Detroit’s receivers coach is? None other than...Antwaan Randle El!
End of the third quarter: Washington 31, Detroit 28
As the third quarter comes to an end Washington is just five yards from another touchdown. The Commanders have 375 yards (6.8 per play) while the Lions are are 385 (8.8 per play). This has been a classic so far as we enter the final quarter.