On Saturday night, the Washington Commanders went on the road and shocked the football world, beating the Detroit Lions 45-31.
The win didn’t just send Washington to its first championship game in three decades and assert quarterback Jayden Daniels as one of the best players in the sport, regardless of experience. It also sent the No. 1 seed Lions home without a playoff run.
The Ford Field faithful were in disbelief. Head coach Dan Campbell joined them, morning the season and reacted to the team’s costly turnovers.
“Yeah, I don’t know, I don’t know what it was,” Campbell told reporters after the game. “It was one of those, you know it was just one of those odd days. Things were a little bit off, and you know … it’s not just one thing. It’s kind of how the day was. That has not been our M.O. We just didn’t play great, man. … You know at the end of the day, man, I didn’t have them ready. … We just didn’t get it done …
“It’s hard man. When you lose these games, man … It’s like the players, you know what they put into it. Lot of people don’t know what they go through. You have to get up, bodies beat to (expletive), and mentally stay locked in and do those things. So, long season.”
Quarterback Jared Goff threw three interceptions in the Divisional Round, two of which severely hampered Detroit’s chances. He also fumbled late in the first quarter, preceding a go-ahead touchdown.
Perhaps the most painful of them all was receiver Jameson Williams’ interception. All season long, Detroit’s trick plays earned them praise and extra yards. On Saturday, it spoiled the Lions’ season.
An emotional Campbell made a shocking three-word admission after the loss.
“It’s my fault,” Campbell said. “It’s my fault.”
Simply put, Detroit died as it lived, being aggressive and keeping the defense on its toes. The Commanders, of course, are the beneficiary. Saturday night is as much about Washington winning as Detroit’s surprising collapse.
As the football world reacts to the Lions’ season ending early, the Commanders are a win away from NFC supremacy. They’ll hope to finish the job against the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 26.
