Team record 15 regular season wins washed down 8 miles of road detroit lions.

Lost 45-31 to washington commander On Saturday, the Lions watched the best regular season in franchise history go to waste.

Washington’s dazzling rookie scored two touchdowns on a perfect performance from Jayden Daniels, and the Commanders advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.

“It was a surreal moment,” Daniels said.

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No. 5 Jayden Daniels and No. 17 Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders during the NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on January 18, 2025. Celebrating together, defeating the Detroit Lions 45-31. (Nick Antaya/Getty Images)

The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly a double-digit underdog against Super Bowl favorites the Lions (15-3) and overcame doubters like they had all season long as a rookie. That’s what happened under a quarterback, a new coach and a general manager.

“I’ve always believed we could accomplish more than people think,” Daniels said.

Detroit was the NFC’s top seed for the first time, but five comebacks doomed its chances.

“If you turn it over five times against that team, it’s going to be hard to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, one of which came when receiver Jameson Williams ran the ball into coverage in the fourth quarter. Quan Martin returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown.

Jared Goff threw three receptions and lost a fumble, turning the ball over three times in an ill-fated first half.

Daniels finished with 299 yards passing, 51 yards rushing, and just as importantly, no turnovers.

He became the second rookie quarterback to defeat a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore to a victory over Tennessee on January 10, 2009.

“Nothing surprises me about him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned Daniels’ short pass into a 58-yard touchdown.

Last week, first-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years. The Commanders rallied to beat Tampa Bay in regulation or overtime for their sixth comeback victory and fifth straight victory in the final scrimmage.

The Commanders completed 3 of 4 possessions on fourth down, but couldn’t keep Detroit that close.

“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They won this game and we didn’t.”

Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter, the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history, and led 31-21 at halftime.

Daniels passed for 242 yards in the first half and set a rookie record a week later by becoming the first rookie to lead the team in rushing and passing yards in a playoff win.

The former LSU star, the No. 2 overall pick, went 22-for-31, including McLaurin’s long touchdown pass on a screen and Zach Ertz’s 5-yard score in the second quarter.

Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

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No. 5 Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders is tackled by No. 46 Jack of the Detroit Lions during the third quarter of an NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on January 18, 2025. Tackled by Jack Campbell. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)

Goff went 23 of 40 for 313 yards and passed to Sam Laporta for a touchdown to help the Lions take their final lead midway through the second quarter.

Detroit’s Jameer Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight catches for 137 yards.

Late in the first quarter, Goff fumbled a fumble on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17, giving Washington the advantage.

Daniels converted the Detroit Niners’ fourth-and-3 drive into Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run to extend the drive.

After Daniels threw a touchdown pass to McLaurin, Goff knocked down his intended target with three kicks and Martin intercepted the ball and carried it into the end zone to give the Commanders a 24-14 lead. Goff was hit by linebacker Frankie Luvu on an interception return and was assessed to have a concussion.

With backup Teddy Bridgewater under center, Williams scored on a 61-yard reverse run.

However, Detroit’s defense couldn’t stop the Chargers’ offense all night long. Washington scored a season high.

The Lions had a chance to close the deficit in the final minute of the first half, but Goff’s pass over the middle was blocked by Sean Ristier in the end zone.

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No. 5 Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and Za’Darius of the Detroit Lions during the fourth quarter of an NFC divisional playoff game at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on January 18, 2025. ·Za’Darius Smith’s No. 99 running ball. (Nick Antaya/Getty Images)

Detroit started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and advancing 76 yards 11 times on the ensuing offense. Gibbs rushed 8 yards to complete the second touchdown, chasing the score to 31-28.

The Lions didn’t skimp on defense for long, though.

Washington finished with 15, 70-yard touchdown rush — Detroit faced 4th-and-2 of 5 with 12 players on the field, recovering on Robinson’s second short touchdown run Commander’s 10-point lead.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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