The Washington Commanders are heading to the NFC championship game for the first time in 33 years after defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC divisional round on Saturday night in Detroit.
Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 51 yards in the upset win. It’s Washington’s seventh consecutive win, and it awaits the winner of Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.
The Commanders took control of the game early when defensive end Dorance Armstrong sacked Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, forcing a fumble that linebacker Frankie Luvu recovered. The Lions were on the verge of going up 14-3. After the fumble, Daniels led the Commanders on an 11-play, 78-yard drive that running back Brian Robinson Jr. capped off with a two-yard touchdown run to give Washington its first lead, 10-7.
The Lions would respond on the following drive, but so did Daniels and the Commanders. Daniels completed a short pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin, who outraced the Detroit secondary down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown, making it 17-14. The Commanders never trailed again.
On the Lions’ next possession, Washington safety Quan Martin intercepted Goff, returning it 40 yards for a touchdown. The Lions again responded — so did Daniels, making it 31-21. Washington cornerback Mike Sainristil intercepted Goff just before halftime, ruining a potential Detroit scoring opportunity.
The Commanders started slowly in the second half, and the Lions trimmed Washington’s lead to 31-28. But Daniels never flinched, responding with a 15-play, 78-yard drive that lasted over eight minutes to increase the Commanders’ lead back to 10 points.
On the next possession, the Lions dipped deep into their playbook when wide receiver Jameson Williams attempted to trick Washington’s secondary with a pass intercepted by Sainristil.
The Commanders scored again, making it 45-28, and the game was essentially over. The Lions, down 45-31, had one last shot to make it close, but safety Jeremy Chinn picked off Goff to clinch the game.
Washington finished the game with 481 yards of total offense. Robinson rushed for 77 yards and two touchdowns, while Dyami Brown caught six passes for 98 yards. McLaurin caught four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. Running back Austin Ekeler was critical, too, rushing for 47 yards and catching four passes for 41 yards.
The Commanders forced five turnovers and did not turn the ball over in the win.
