The Detroit Lions, after a dominant regular season that earned them the title of Super Bowl favorites, suffered a disappointing loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, falling 45-31 to the Washington Commanders. Despite having a bye week, the Lions couldn’t carry over their strong momentum and ended their season in heartbreaking fashion. Meanwhile, the Commanders advanced to the NFC Championship to face the winner of the Philadelphia vs. Minnesota game.
Studs and Duds from the Game
Stud: RB Jahmyr Gibbs**
Jahmyr Gibbs delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with 175 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. He had several explosive runs, including a 15-yard run and a 23-yard reception early on that set up his first touchdown. Gibbs followed that up with a 33-yard run and dominated on the ground with 105 rushing yards on 14 carries. He also added 70 receiving yards and capped off his night with an eight-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. After a strong regular season, he proved his worth with a dynamic postseason performance.
**Dud: QB Jared Goff**
Jared Goff’s performance was a major letdown, particularly in a game where the offense needed to capitalize on opportunities due to the defense’s struggles. Goff committed four turnovers, including a fumble at a critical point in the game when the Lions were leading 7-3 and driving into the Commanders’ red zone. Later, after the Commanders took the lead, Goff threw a pick-six to Quan Martin. He was briefly knocked out of the game after taking a big hit but returned to throw another interception in the end zone, followed by a third interception on his final pass. Despite finishing with 313 passing yards, it was a disappointing showing for a quarterback who had played at an MVP level throughout the season.
Stud: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown had a solid performance, despite the turnovers affecting the offense. He made several crucial catches, including a key reception down the sideline where he fought through a defensive hold. St. Brown finished with 137 yards on eight catches. Although he had an uncharacteristic drop late in the game, he showed why he is considered one of the league’s best receivers with his consistent play.
**Dud: S Kerby Joseph**
Kerby Joseph, part of the Lions’ secondary, had a rough game as he was exploited by Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. He allowed a big gain late in the first half and committed a costly pass interference penalty in the end zone. This penalty extended a Washington drive, eventually leading to a touchdown. Joseph was also beaten deep by Dyami Brown for a 38-yard gain just before halftime, further adding to the struggles of the Detroit defense.
**Stud: TE Sam LaPorta**
Sam LaPorta made a significant contribution, notably catching a diving, one-handed touchdown pass in the second quarter. He finished with six receptions for 51 yards, providing critical yardage as Detroit desperately tried to move the ball late in the game. LaPorta’s performance was a reminder of his potential, as he had struggled at times earlier in the season but proved his value within the offense when needed most.
**Dud: DE Josh Paschal**
Josh Paschal had a rough game, contributing to a costly penalty that kept a Commanders’ drive alive. On a six-yard run by Brian Robinson, Paschal hit quarterback Jayden Daniels with a late shot, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. This extended a long, time-consuming drive that eventually ended in a touchdown, putting the Commanders up 38-28. While Paschal did record one of the Lions’ two quarterback hits, Daniels’ ability to evade pressure throughout the game made it difficult for Detroit’s defense to capitalize on their opportunities.
Overall, the game was a mix of strong individual performances and critical mistakes that led to Detroit’s downfall in the postseason.
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