DETROIT – A franchise-record 15 wins. The No. 1 seed. More home playoff games at Ford Field.
It all went down the drain Saturday, as the Detroit Lions lost to the No. 6 seed Washington Commanders in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Detroit was a heavy favorite coming off a first-round bye. But a team that has been so consistent delivered all the ingredients needed for an upset: turnovers and explosive plays allowed on defense.
In the end, it was the rookie Jayden Daniels outplaying Lions franchise quarterback Jared Goff on the biggest stage that sent Detroit into yet another painful offseason.
Key defensive stop early
The Lions offense went three-and-out to start the game after the Commanders gave them excellent field position with a kick out of bounds.
Washington drove down deep into Detroit territory, but Aaron Glenn’s defense came up with a big play on fourth and 1, stuffing an odd pitch play from backup quarterback Marcus Mariota.
But it wasn’t all good news. On the second play of the defensive drive, the Lions lost cornerback Amik Robertson, who has been playing at an All Pro level since the loss of No. 1 cornerback Carlton Davis.
Robertson was hit by teammate Jack Campbell while making a tackle and appeared to injury his left arm. He was escorted to the locker room by two trainers.
Jahmyr Gibbs explodes
Ben Johnson wasn’t messing around on the second possession.
After a 19-yard pass from Goff to Jameson Williams on the first play, Jahmyr Gibbs got the ball on four of the next five plays -- a 15-yard run, a 23-yard catch, a 9-yard run, and a 1-yard touchdown.
It took just over 3 minutes for the Lions to go 71 yards on six plays.
Commanders take lead after turnover
The Commanders answered the Lions touchdown with a drive that ended in a 47-yard field goal.
Detroit went 56 yards down the field on the next four plays, but the drive ended just outside the red zone when Goff fumbled the ball on a sack.
Washington took advantage of the mistake, marching 78 yards on 11 plays for a go-ahead touchdown.
The Lions had a chance to get a stop on fourth down at the 9-yard line, but Daniels converted with a pass to Zach Ertz. Detroit also forced an incomplete pass on third and goal, but Kerby Joseph was called for pass interference in the end zone.
Brian Robinson scored from the 1-yard line two plays later.
Goff throws pick-6
The Lions drove 70 yards in seven plays to retake the lead, but the Commanders quickly answered just three plays later, thanks to a 59-yard screen pass and run for Terry McLaurin.
Then, with the Commanders already up 17-14, Goff turned the ball over again, sailing a pass over Tim Patrick for a pick-six that put the Lions down 10.
Teddy Bridgewater leads touchdown drive
Goff took an illegal hit during the interception return (it wasn’t called), and disappeared into the medical tent to get checked out.
That means Teddy Bridgewater, who was coaching high school football just a few weeks ago, had to take over with the Lions down double digits in a playoff game.
Gibbs gained 14 yards on the first play, and then Bridgewater hit him over the middle for a 3-yard gain. Then, a double reverse to Williams went for a much-needed 61-yard touchdown.
Goff turns it over for third time
Goff would reenter the game for the following drive, but not until the Commanders went seven plays, 70 yards to go back up by 10 points with under 2 minutes to play in the first half.
With Washington set to receive the second-half kickoff, it felt like the Lions needed to get in the end zone before halftime.
They got off to a good start, marching 41 yards inside the Washington 30, but then Goff turned it over once again, throwing an interception to Mike Sainristil in the end zone.
Second-half collapse
The Lions got off to a good start after halftime, forcing a punt and then scoring a touchdown to pull back within three.
But the Commanders answered with a touchdown drive of their own, and when the Lions were looking to respond, a trick play went terribly wrong, as Williams ended up throwing into coverage for Sainristil’s second interception.
Washington marched right down the field for a touchdown that made the score 45-28 and effectively ended the game.
Fittingly, the final Lions drive ended with another Goff interception, as the Commanders kneeled out a 45-31 victory.
