A franchise-record 15 regular-season wins were swept down the 8-mile road for the Detroit Lions.
In a disastrous 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, the Lions saw their best regular season in franchise history go to waste.
Jayden Daniels threw for two touchdowns in a flawless performance by Washington’s dazzling rookie, and the Commanders reached the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Terry McLaurin #17 after defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC Divisional Playoff 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 doubt as they did all season with a rookie quarterback, new coach and general manager.
“I always believed we could accomplish more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.
Detroit, the NFC’s no. 1 seed for the first time, judged his chances by flipping it five times.
“If you turn the ball over five times against that team, it’s going to be hard to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throwing into coverage off a reverse in the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.
Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble and turned it over three times in the fateful first half.
Daniels finished with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing, and — just as importantly — he didn’t turn the ball over.
He became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco in leading Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned a short pass from Daniels into a 58-yard touchdown.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders rallied past Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback win and fifth in a row on the final play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime.
The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn’t let Detroit keep it that close.
“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They earned that game and we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter — the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history — to take a 31-21 halftime lead.
Daniels had 242 yards passing in the first half, setting a rookie record a week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in yards rushing and passing in a playoff victory.
The former LSU star, who was No. 2 overall, was 22 of 31, including the long TD on the screen to McLaurin and a 5-yard toss for a score to Zach Ertz in the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
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Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders is tackled by Jack Campbell #46 of the Detroit Lions in the third quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Goff finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead midway through the second quarter.
Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled in a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders’ 17 late in the first quarter, and Washington took advantage.
Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive that was capped by Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run.
Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended target and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14. Goff was hit by linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was assessed for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater under center, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse.
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 deep middle was picked off by Sainristil in the end zone.

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders runs the ball against Za’Darius Smith #99 of the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff 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 ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.
However, the lions were not stingy in defense for long.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive — extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field when facing fourth-and-2 from its 5 — and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead .