The dream season for the Detroit Lions is over.The Lions saved their worst performance of the 2024 season for their most important game of the season, which is their playoff matchup with the Washington Commanders on Saturday night.
Dan Campbell’s team gave up 45 points and committed five turnovers, four of which were caused by Jared Goff. This is the complete antithesis of winning football. Later, the Lions’ season ended in a crushing loss against the Commanders, which was a far earlier departure for Campbell & Co.
For the Lions, who accomplished a number of franchise firsts in 2024, including winning a season-high 15 games and securing the NFC’s top seed and home-field advantage during the playoffs, it was a difficult pill to swallow. Campbell, who was clearly upset after the game, struggled to express how he felt about the unexpected defeat. The fourth-year head coach said, “It’s hard when you lose, and you lose these games, man.
” “It’s similar to what the athletes do. Many people are unaware of their struggles. You must get up, keep your mind focused, and do those things because your body needs to s**t. Thus, the season is long.
Everything was in place for Campbell & Co. to make their first Super Bowl appearance. It seemed like nothing could stop the Lions from creating franchise history, especially with home field and a boisterous Ford Field crowd in their corner.
But the Commanders and the injury bug, which had made an appearance numerous times throughout the regular season, had other ideas for Detroit.
The Lions really lost another key defensive player less than two minutes into the divisional-round playoff game: cornerback Amik Robertson (arm injury).
On the Commanders’ second offensive snap of the evening, Robertson was afflicted.
The veteran defensive back was recording a tackle of Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin when he collided with linebacker Jack Campbell during the play.
Aaron Glenn’s defense suffered greatly on Saturday night when Robertson failed to play another down. McLaurin went on to dominate the Lions’ secondary while Robertson was out, recording four receptions, 87 yards, and a touchdown. Dyami Brown, another Commanders receiver, also put out a good effort, recording a team-high six receptions for 98 yards.
All of it contributed to Dan Quinn’s offense’s outstanding performance, which saw them amass 481 yards and five touchdowns (Washington safety Quan Martin returned an interception for the sixth touchdown).
And without the outstanding play of rookie sensational passer Jayden Daniels, none of it would have been possible. Throughout the evening, Daniels exploited Detroit’s secondary, throwing for 299 yards and two scores on an effective 22-of-31 passing performance. He also contributed a strong 122.9 passer rating and an impressive 91.8 QBR.
Daniels was always given plenty of time to look around the field and go through his progressions, and the Lions never managed to record a single sack of him. Additionally, the dual-threat quarterback managed to go by Lions defenders and create a play with his legs in the few times Detroit was able to generate pressure.
There is little doubt that Glenn’s strategy to contain Daniels, as well as the way his squad carried it out, was a complete failure.
The unit’s undisciplined play also did Glenn no favors. Most egregiously, the defense, while backed up on its own 5-yard line, lined up with 12 men on a crucial fourth-and-2 play early in the fourth quarter. The ensuing penalty put the Commanders on Detroit’s 2-yard line, and two plays later, Washington cashed in on a 1-yard touchdown run by Brian Robinson Jr. It extended the Commanders’ lead to 10, 38-28.
