DETROIT (AP) The top-seeded Detroit Lions were eliminated from the playoffs in a startlingly short amount of time by Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, who had nothing to lose.
With two touchdowns from Daniels and two interceptions by fellow rookie Mike Sainristil, Washington defeated Detroit 45-31 on Saturday night to advance to the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the team’s third Super Bowl thirty-three years prior.
Daniels described the situation as unreal.
As they did throughout the season with a new quarterback, coach, and general manager, the sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) overcame uncertainties despite being nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl-favorite Lions (15-3).
Daniels stated, “I always thought we could accomplish more than people give us credit for.”
Turning the ball over five times precluded Detroit, the NFC’s top club for the first time with a franchise-record 15 victories, from living up to expectations.
Lions coach Dan Campbell stated that now is not the time to discuss our fantastic season and all of our victories. Our goal was to make it to the concert, but we failed. That is painful.
In the fourth quarter, Sainristil, who won a national championship at Michigan the previous season, intercepted his second pass on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage after a reverse.
“It’s difficult to fool Mike,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn stated.
In the second quarter, Washington took a 24–14 lead after Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a score.
In the disastrous first half, Jared Goff turned it over three times, lost a fumble, and threw three picks. Halfway through the second quarter, he completed 23 of 40 for 313 yards, including a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead.
Daniels finished with 51 rushing yards and 299 passing yards, but more importantly, he didn’t throw the ball over.
Quinn remarked, “He has a different poise.” He is an uncommon rival.
Daniels joined Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009, as the second rookie quarterback to defeat a top-seeded team.
Terry McLaurin, a receiver who converted a short toss from Daniels into a 58-yard touchdown, remarked, “There’s nothing surprising about him.”
Last week, Quinn guided Washington to its first postseason victory in 19 years. On the last play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime, the Commanders overcame Tampa Bay to win their sixth consecutive comeback victory.
Detroit was unable to maintain that close thanks to the Commanders, who converted three of four fourth downs.
As Campbell put it, give them credit. We didn’t deserve that game; they did.
Washington led 31-21 at the half after outscoring Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter, the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history.
One week after becoming the first rookie to lead his club in both passing and rushing yards in a playoff victory, Daniels set a rookie record with 242 passing yards in the first half.
Including the long touchdown pass to McLaurin on the screen and Zach Ertz’s 5-yard toss for a score in the second quarter, the former LSU standout, who was selected with the second overall choice, was 22 of 31.
Brian Robinson scored two touchdowns and rushed for 77 yards.
Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards, and Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns.
Late in the first quarter, Washington took advantage of a collapsing pocket that Goff fumbled in on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17.
A drive culminated by Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run was extended by Daniels’ conversion of a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9.
Goff overthrew his intended target three possessions after Daniels’ TD pass to McLaurin, and Martin caught it and took it to the end zone, giving the Commanders a 24–14 lead. On the interception return, linebacker Frankie Luvu hit Goff, who was assessed for a concussion.
All night long, Detroit’s defense was unable to contain the Commanders, as Washington scored the most points of the season.
The Lions got out to a fast start in the second half, forcing Washington to punt for the first time. They then went 76 yards on 11 plays, culminating in Gibbs’ second touchdown run of 8 yards to bring the score 31-28.
However, Detroit didn’t skimp on defense for very long.
When facing fourth-and-2 from its five, Detroit had 12 men on the field, extending Washington’s 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Robinson’s second short touchdown run put the Commanders back ahead by ten points.
Leaders: OG Early in the second quarter, Robinson’s game-winning score caused Sam Cosmi to sustain an injury. He hobbled off the field with his right leg bent awkwardly.
Lions: CB On Washington’s second snap, Amik Robertson fractured his arm. OG Reserve DL Pat O Connor (calf) and Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) were not in play.
In order to qualify for the Super Bowl, Washington will travel to play the winner of Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles game.
