The end of the Detroit Lions’ dream season came swiftly Saturday night at Ford Field.
The NFC’s top-seeded club’s demise ended on an array of big plays from Washington Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and a flurry of miscues and turnovers.
Still one of four NFL teams who have never qualified for the Super Bowl, the Lions’ injury-plagued defense could not stand up to the Commanders’ offensive surge in the 45-31 loss in a divisional round matchup.
Daniels went 22 for 31 for 299 yards and two touchdown passes and the Commanders compiled 481 total yards. The Lions, despite five turnovers, collected 521 yards.
Detroit, however, did not have an answer for Daniels on defense. The Lions, who won back-to-back North Division titles, have not won a league championship since 1957.
The Washington franchise has not qualified for a Super Bowl since beating the Buffalo Bills in 1991. Only five players on the current roster were alive 33 years ago. The No. 7-seeded team, which won only four games last season, will play at the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia Eagles for the NFC title next week.
X (Twitter) users responded to Daniels turning the Lions’ dream season into just another franchise disappointment …
Jayden is @Commanders fans everywhere. #NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1cM1r2lAKH
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025
In the beginning, however, Detroit fans were geared up to let loose …
The crowd is loud in Detroit! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/J6bfwbXRmh
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 19, 2025
Fueling a wild offensive first half, the Lions scored first on Jahmyr Gibbs’ 1-yard touchdown run. It was Gibbs’ seventh rushing score over his past five outings …
Jahmyr Gibbs made it look too easy 😤
(via @Lions)pic.twitter.com/v8fpQ4qn4L
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 19, 2025
Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders appreciated Gibbs’ start. On his first four touches, he ran for 15 yards, caught a 23-yard pass, ran for nine yards and scored on a 1-yard run …
Barry Sanders likes what he sees from Jahmyr Gibbs!! pic.twitter.com/RcsmErLph0
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 19, 2025
During his TD celebration, Gibbs paid homage to a certain NBA superstar who happened to be captured wearing a Commanders’ jersey Saturday …
Jahmyr Gibbs doing the Kevin Durant pre-game dance. 😂
(via @NFL)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 19, 2025
Taking advantage of a Goff fumble, the surging Commanders claimed the lead after Brian Robinson Jr. rambled into the end zone for the TD as the Commanders claimed a 10-7 lead …
IN FRONT 🎱
📺 #WASvsDET FOX pic.twitter.com/jDIReLqvP6
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Overcoming early jitters, Lions quarterback Jared Goff remained confident under pressure and didn’t throw the ball away. Instead, he delivered a pass to tight end Sam LaPorta, who executed a one-handed snare …
OH MY SAM!!#WASvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/zyqN8CGkDs
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 19, 2025
On a simple play design, but aided by poor tackling, wide receiver Terry McLaurin turned a screen pass into a 59-yard TD …
THAT'S ONE SCARY MAN.
📺 #WASvsDET FOX pic.twitter.com/nldySEaU2C
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Throwing high over the middle, Goff tossed a pick-six as Quan Martin returned the turnover 40 yards for the score and a 24-14 lead. Goff was hurt during the play and went into the locker room for a medical examination …
GOFF THROWS A PICK SIX 🤯
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/J2LaFAZtzu
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 19, 2025
Goff returned in time to watch backup QB Teddy Bridgewater, who was a Florida high school state championship-winning coach up until a few weeks ago, lead the offense to a score, highlighted by Jameson Williams’ 61-yard TD run off a reverse from Gibbs …
#Lions … responden !!! TD pic.twitter.com/8bGIUjPWyf
— Pablo Viruega (@PabloViruega) January 19, 2025
Tight end Zach Ertz capped a high scoring opening 30 minutes, extending the Commanders’ halftime lead to 31-21. The Commanders (324 yards) and Lions (309) combined for the most first-half yards since Super Bowl LII. That’s when the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles combined for 673 opening-half yards …
Daniels to Ertz! Commanders have 31 first-half points.
📺: #WASvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/v0XraTMSiz— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025
Gibbs goes for No. 2. It proved to be the Lions’ last gasp …
.@Jahmyr_Gibbs1 with his second TD of the night 🗣️#WASvsDET | 📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/xlLAerS2gi
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 19, 2025
Robinson capped the Commanders’ 15-play, 70-yard drive. Washington was in control, aided by the Lions. On fourth-and-2, Trevor Nowaske ran on the field and the Lions were flagged for 12 players on the field. Lions coach Dan Campbell shook his head on the sidelines …
🗣️ ANOTHA ONE @BrianR_4
📺 #WASvsDET FOXpic.twitter.com/PIYbCOKfUI
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Attempting an end-around pass, Williams threw an interception to cornerback Mike Sainristil, the Lions’ fourth turnover and the former Michigan standout’s second pick Saturday. Goff finished with four interceptions …
THAT'S 2 FOR @MikeSainristil❕
📺 #WASvsDET FOXpic.twitter.com/D8S9ddhdsi
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Jeremy McNichols’ dagger …
J-MAC FINDS THE END ZONE @JeremyMcNichols
📺 #WASvsDET FOXpic.twitter.com/ZiVgIuddfC
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
Final score: Commanders 45, Lions 31 …
FINAL: @Commanders score 45 points in Detroit to advance in the #NFLPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/FXTOjen4eW
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025
