Commanders-Lions: Jayden Daniels, Washington pull off one of NFL's greatest playoff upsets in 45-31 shootout win over Detroit

Commanders-Lions: Jayden Daniels, Washington pull off one of NFL's greatest playoff upsets in 45-31 shootout win over Detroit

Commanders-Lions: Jayden Daniels, Washington pull off one of NFL's greatest playoff upsets in 45-31 shootout win over Detroit

The Washington Commanders, who had the second-worst record in the NFL last season and had been a laughingstock for over two decades, achieved a remarkable turnaround by reaching the NFC Championship game. After securing the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft, which turned out to be rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, hope for a brighter future emerged. However, no one expected Daniels to lead the Commanders to their first NFC title game in 33 years in his rookie season.

In one of the biggest upsets in playoff history, the Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the divisional round, sending the Lions home in a crushing defeat. Detroit, with a 15-2 regular season record, had been on the verge of their first Super Bowl appearance but saw their playoff hopes dashed by a team that had gone 4-13 last season and was led by a rookie quarterback starting just his second postseason game.

The Commanders’ victory marked their first playoff win since the 2005 postseason, and they’ve now won two games this postseason. This unexpected success is a huge turning point for both franchises—Detroit faces a painful and unimaginable disappointment, while Washington now looks ahead to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991.

A Wild First Half The game’s first half was chaotic, with the Commanders making an early statement. Detroit initially led 14-10 after a spectacular one-handed touchdown catch by Sam LaPorta, but Washington quickly turned the tide. Terry McLaurin scored a 59-yard touchdown on a receiver screen, followed by an interception returned for a touchdown by safety Quan Martin after a bad throw from Lions quarterback Jared Goff. The Commanders’ defense also laid a big hit on Goff, contributing to the momentum shift.

With Washington up 24-14, the action only intensified. Jameson Williams answered with a 61-yard reverse touchdown, but Daniels responded with a long pass to Dyami Brown and a 5-yard touchdown to Zach Ertz. Just before halftime, Goff threw another interception in the end zone. The first half ended with 42 combined points—making it the highest-scoring quarter in postseason history.

By halftime, it was clear that Detroit’s defense, already dealing with injuries, could not stop Washington’s offense, and Daniels was playing like a seasoned veteran. He finished the first half with 242 yards, two touchdowns, and a 137.4 passer rating, and would go on to make history as the first rookie quarterback to record 300 total yards in two postseason games.

Commanders Dominate the Second Half The scoring slowed in the second half, but Washington still maintained control. Detroit made it a 31-28 game, but the Commanders responded with another touchdown, aided by a penalty on Detroit for having 12 men on the field on a fourth-and-2. The Lions, known for their trick plays, tried another one in the fourth quarter, but it backfired when Williams threw an interception on a reverse play. Trailing 38-28, Detroit’s hopes were essentially dashed.

Washington went on to score another touchdown, taking a commanding 17-point lead with 7:31 left. Detroit’s frustration was evident when they failed to recover an onside kick attempt, even after narrowing Washington's lead to 45-31. Ertz managed to recover the loose ball, sealing the victory.

With this win, the Commanders are headed to the NFC Championship game, where they will face the winner of Sunday’s Los Angeles Rams vs. Philadelphia Eagles game. No one could have predicted such a remarkable turn of events, and after Saturday’s performance, it’s clear that the moment won’t be too big for Daniels or his teammates. The Commanders, once the NFL’s laughingstock, are now just one game away from the Super Bowl.