in Unexpected Playoff Win
The #6 seed Washington Commanders demolished the #1 seed Detroit Lions 45-31 in a road NFC Divisional Playoff game much to the shock and awe of most of the 64,774 fans at Ford Field thereby advancing to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991.
Washington (14-5) was again led by their Rookie-of-the-Year favorite quarterback Jayden Daniels who complete 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 51 yards on 16 carries.
He passed for 242 yards in the first half, a rookie record which is not surprising since last week he became the first rookie to lead his team in rushing and passing yards in their playoff win over the Buccaneers.
The Commanders ground attack was led by Brian Robinson Jr. who finished with 77 yards on 15 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
Daniels completed passes to seven receivers led by Dyami Brown who finished with six receptions for 98 yards including a 42-yarder.
The Commanders defense also showed up forcing five Detroit turnovers led by rookie Mike Sainristil who finished with two interceptions an exceptional showing in his return to Michigan where he played his college ball for the Wolverines. They also got a 40-yard Pick-6 from Quan Martin.
Detroit, favored by 8.5 points, was the #1 seed for the first time and won a record 15 games got on the board first with a six play 71-yard drive ending with a 1-yard scoring dash by Jahmyr Gibbs giving them a 7-0 lead with 7:36 to go in the first quarter.
Washington countered with a 47-yard Zane Gonzalez field goal making the score 7-3 with 3:50 to play in the first quarter.
The Commander’s outstanding offense was on full display outscoring the Lions 28-14 in the second quarter which became the highest scoring quarter in NFL Playoff history.
First, an 11-play 78-yard Daniels drive finished with a Robinson 2-yard scoring run making the score 10-7 with 10:55 to go in the quarter.
The Lions roared back with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Jared Goff to TE Sam LaPorta making the score 14-10.
Next, Washington jumped out to the lead again with a 58-yard scoring strike to wideout Terry McLaurin who caught the pass and immediately burst through a Detroit defender sprinting down the left sideline and finally tumbling into the endzone making the score 17-14 with 6:23 to go in the quarter.
Then, In the blink of an eye a Goff overthrow led to the Martin Pick-6 making the score 24-14 and the Detroit faithful were starting to get nervous as their Super Bowl favorite Lions were not mauling the #6 Commanders.
They felt better when Jameson Williams took a reverse down the left sideline before cutting across the field and scampering 61-yards for a Lion’s touchdown making the score 24-21 with 4:01 to go before the half.
Finally, Washington finished their amazing second quarter scoring with a Daniels 5-yard touchdown pass to old reliable TE Zach Ertz making the score 31-21 at the break.
Detroit roared back and a Gibbs 8-yard scoring dash made the score 31-28 with 6:57 to go in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter Robinson showed up again for the Commanders scoring on a 1-yard rush making the score 38-28 with 13:29 to go in the game.
They followed that up with a 1-yard scoring run from Jeremy McNichols adding to their lead now 45-28 and taking command of the game.
Later, the Lions were held to a Jake Bates 28-yard field goal making the score 45-31 with 5:01 to go in the game and setting up the exciting Commanders finish.
Now desperate to get the ball back, they very nearly did as Detroit’s onside kick bounced around on the ground making Commander fans sweat before being recovered by Ertz.
The Commanders, aware that the clock was now their true opponent, converted a crucial third and five with a 20-yard pass caught by backup TE John Bates giving them a critical first down with 4:08 to go in the game.
The drive ended with a missed field goal but was successful as the Lions got the ball back with 2:31 to go in the contest trailing 45-31.
Detroit never gave up. Driving for a late game score the Washington defense showed up again when Goff’s third and 10 pass from the Washington 17-yard line was intercepted by the Commanders Jeremy Chinn with 32 seconds to play in the NFC Divisional Playoff game. Finally, Commanders’ fans could exhale and believe that this unpredicted playoff win was for real.
A Daniels kneel down ended the contest and the stunned crowd who just three hours earlier were expecting a serious playoff push leading to the Super Bowl could only marvel at the Commanders and their incredibly poised, winning and record-setting rookie quarterback Daniels.
Washington won the Time of Possession 33:59 to 26:01 thereby keeping the explosive Lions offense on the sidelines.
The Lions had 521 Total Yards to 481 for the Commanders but the turnovers doomed their drives. Washington was 4-4 in the Redzone while the Lions finished 3-6.
The Lions finished with 320 passing yards to 299 for the Commanders and also outrushed the Commanders 201-182. Washington fortunately won the only stat that really mattered…the final score!
Chinn helped lead the Washington defense with 12 tackles and the game-sealing interception. Frankie Luvu had nine tackles, and a recovered fumble and Bobby Wagner finished with eight tackles.
Detroit was led by Goff who finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards three interceptions and one lost fumble.
Their ground game was led by Gibbs who finished with 104 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the team in receiving with eight catches for 137 yards in a losing effort for the (15-3) Lions.
