Watch: Commanders, Lions trade haymakers in second quarter

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during the first quarter against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field. David Reginek-Imagn Images

Watch: Commanders, Lions trade haymakers in wild second quarter

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Jan 18, 2025 10:07 PM ET

Saturday's bonkers NFC divisional round game between the Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions featured several twists, including one sequence that gave Washington a two-score lead, stunning the home crowd.

After the Commanders took a 17-14 lead, safety Quan Martin intercepted Lions quarterback Jared Goff. During his 40-yard return for a touchdown, linebacker Frankie Luvu laid a vicious hit on Goff, forcing him into the blue medical tent on the sideline.

That caused Goff to miss Detroit's next drive, which quickly reached the end zone on wide receiver Jameson Williams' 61-yard rushing touchdown on an end-around.

JAMESON WILLIAMS. THIS GAME IS OFF THE RAILS.

: #WASvsDET on FOX
: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/k3NjfxDSCY
— NFL (@NFL) January 19, 2025

The sequence was just a tiny part of a wild second quarter that featured 42 points, including 28 by the Commanders.

Overall, both teams gained over 300 yards in the first half, with the Commanders holding a slight edge, 312-309. Incredibly, each averaged at least eight yards per play.

With both offenses humming, the winner will likely be whichever team makes the most mistakes. In the first half, that was the Lions. In addition to Goff's pick-six, he was responsible for two turnovers in Commanders territory; a red zone fumble in the first quarter and an interception in the end zone on a first down from Washington's 29-yard line.

Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels looked like the multi-year veteran, ending the half 14-of-21 for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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