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The Washington Commanders stunned the Detroit Lions on Saturday night, scoring 45 points and stealing the game on the road to move on to the NFC Championship.
After going down early, Washington kept their composure and answered back, then created multiple turnovers, including a pick-six, that allowed them to take the lead. After they went up 17-14 midway through the second quarter, they never trailed again.
The Commanders have not made it to the NFC Championship game in 33 years, and have now made it with a rookie quarterback. Just last season, Washington finished 4-13, and now they are handling business in tough road environments in the playoffs.
Cardiac Commanders continue on: For the first time in 33 years, Washington is back in the NFC Championship game.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2025
Tough environments are nothing new to Jayden Daniels, however. Having played at LSU, he faced some of the toughest and loudest opponents and handled himself fine. Daniels continued that trend all season and into tonight, completing 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. Daniels also rushed for 51 yards on the night.
Brian Robinson also had a big night, carrying the ball 15 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns. Austin Ekeler also broke free for a few important runs, getting six carries for 47 yards. Ekeler also caught four passes for 41 yards.
Zach Ertz came up big all night, catching numerous fourth-down conversions, a touchdown, and recovering an onside kick that the Lions could pounce on. He ended the day with five catches for 28 yards and the touchdown. Dyami Brown had a big game as well, going for 98 yards on six catches. Terry McLaurin caught a deep touchdown midway through the second quarter and finished the day with 87 yards on four receptions.
TERRY MCLAURIN OH MY GOODNESS
— PFF (@PFF) January 19, 2025
pic.twitter.com/Dovpp5YH0w
The Commanders' defense came up huge time and time again. They created five Lion turnovers, all in huge moments. It started with a Jared Goff fumble in the red zone, a drive on which the Lions were threatening to take a 14-3 lead. A couple of drives later, Goff threw an interception to Quan Martin which he returned to put the Commanders up 10. At the end of the half, the Lions drove down deep again but threw an interception in the endzone to go into halftime down by 10 instead of three. All of these were huge turning points.
It did not stop there for Detroit. Mike Sainristill got his second interception of the night after sniffing out a trick play and intercepting a Jameson Williams throw. Washington was able to score a touchdown to go up 17 in the fourth, effectively ending this game. To make matters worse, however, the Lions threw one more interception to officially end the season, as Jeremy Chinn picked it off in the endzone on the final drive of the game.
THAT'S 2 FOR @MikeSainristil❕
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 19, 2025
#WASvsDET FOXpic.twitter.com/D8S9ddhdsi
A very great season comes to a disappointing end for Detroit, a story they have lived through so often. Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown were bright spots, but that was about it. Gibbs was nearly unstoppable all night, as he rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, as well as catching six passes for 70 yards. The same could be said for St. Brown, as he caught eight balls for 137 yards.
Everyone had questions about how the Lions would hold up defensively with all their injuries, and the answer was not well. They got gashed all night and let up numerous long scoring drives. They were just not good enough to get Daniels off the field today.
The Commanders will be on the road again next week, but that has not phased them yet. They will either travel to Las Angeles to play the Rams or to Philadelphia to take on their division rival the Eagles. Neither one is an easy task, but the Commanders have been all about the underdog story and finding a way, so nothing can bother them, especially at this point in the year.
More must-reads:
- Vikings offense has sizable hole following first-round WR's NFL ruling
- Kyren Williams contract extension with Rams a win for both sides
- The 'NFL mascot names' quiz
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Kevin Love reportedly has preferred buyout destination
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