Commanders defense forces 5 takeaways while the burgundy & gold offense puts up 182 yards on the ground

The Commanders were the biggest underdogs of the divisional round playoff games. It wasn’t hard to understand the respect being given to the 15-2 Detroit Lions, who had certainly played like champions for most of the season. It was, however, harder to fathom the disrespect for the 13-5 Commanders.

Of Washington’s five losses, one came in Week 1 when rookie QB Jayden Daniels had been playing his first-ever NFL game. That loss was avenged against the same team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in the same stadium just the week before in a game with much bigger stakes — the wildcard round of the NFC playoffs.

Two other losses came in back-to-back weeks mid-season against the Steelers and Eagles when Jayden Daniels was hobbled by a rib injury that was now fully healed. The Commanders had been a very different team since the Week 14 bye, after which it was clear that Daniels had returned to full health.

The Commanders entered this divisional round game riding a 6-game winning streak — the longest in the NFL, ahead of the Bengals, who were done for the year. The current winning streak included victories over two divisional champions (the Eagles and Buccaneers) and another that knocked the Falcons out of playoff contention in Week 17.

Washington boasted the #5 scoring offense in the league, meaning that it had the horsepower needed to challenge Detroit’s league-leading offense in point-scoring.

The winning strategy for the Lions would seemed to be to try to score early and often in an attempt to boat-race the Commanders or get into a shootout in which the Lions would be most likely to prevail. Instead, the Lions punted on their opening drive of the game and turned the ball over three times before the half, going to the locker room behind by 10 points in front of a stunned Detroit home crowd.

The winning strategy for the Commanders, on the other hand, seemed to be to use a similar strategy to the one employed on Sunday in Tampa; that is, to keep the clock running, limiting the number of possessions per team, eliminating explosive plays by the Lions, and protecting the ball when in possession of the Commanders.

The ‘clutch’ Commanders had proven adept at walk-off wins this season. They had won eight games in which they trailed at some point during the 4th quarter. In 7 of those games, Washington sealed the win on the final play from scrimmage of the game (Giants, Bears, Saints, Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys, Buccaneers).

That wasn’t necessary against Detroit.

Instead, Washington was able to kneel down to end each half, with a 10-point lead at the end of the second quarter and a 14-point differential at the end of the game. The Commanders punted once, missed one field goal and failed one of four 4th-down plays, but did not turn the ball over at all.

If the Lions had a chink in their metaphorical armor, it was probably the team’s defense against mobile quarterbacks.

Many Lions fans were concerned about Jayden Daniels’ elusiveness and mobility because of the difficulties Detroit had had with Mayfield and Josh Allen in the regular season.

JD5 had been the Commanders’ not-so-secret weapon through 18 games, and — regardless of the outcome of this game — there was little reason to believe that the Lions would have more success against him than the rest of the league had.

Coming into the game, Daniels led his team in rushing with 927 yards in 18 games. As a runner, he’d had a 63% success rate in the regular season, accounting for 55 first downs and 6 touchdowns. More impressive than simple stats, however, had been Daniels’ ability to deliver when his team needed it most, with drive extending 3rd & 4th down plays as both a runner and a passer.

The Lions had made it to the NFC championship game in 2023, when they lost 34-31 to the 49ers in their bid to reach the team’s first-ever super bowl (the Lions won 4 NFL championships prior to 1958, but have not won an NFC championship game since the merger).

Washington hadn’t been to the NFC Championship game since its last super bowl winning season (1991).

The Lions were trying to finish a journey they felt had been interrupted a year earlier, while the Commanders were trying to get back on course after losing their way for more than 30 years.

Both franchises were enjoying success after long periods of struggle, and each was led by a coach cut from a slightly unorthodox mold. Both are charismatic “players” coaches who nonetheless run tight programs. Each is a CEO-type leader that gives freedom and responsibility to coordinators, and each has an aggressive (I daresay Dan Quinn would call it “bold”) mindset with respect to game management.

Washington was 3-0 against the Lions in NFL playoffs going into this game (now 4-0), but this would be the first time in that playoff history that the Lions would be the home team.

In 2025, the Commanders will replace the Lions as the NFC team that feels as if it left a mission incomplete, but the win against the Lions in Detroit in this divisional round game was probably the pinnacle of the Commanders 2024 season.

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First Quarter

Commanders set the tone for the game by forcing a 3 & out on the first Lions offensive possession
Washington kicked off to Detroit, who started the game’s opening offensive drive at the 40-yard line after the opening kickoff went out of bounds inside the 5-yard line. Not a strong start.

Two plays later, following a tackle for loss by Dante Fowler, the Lions faced 3rd & 13, but were unable to convert, with Goff’s pass falling incomplete. Three & out to open the game!

After the punt, Washington started the first drive at the 20-yard line.

Commanders turn the ball over on downs on a busted play at the Lions 28-yard line
The offense opened with a no-huddle attack, picking up a first down at the 32-yard line in the first two plays — passes to Zach Ertz and Terry McLaurin. Lions CB Amik Robertson was injured on the play and had to be helped from the field.

Two plays later, the Commanders burned the Lions blitz with a short screen to Austin Ekeler that he turned into a 24-yard catch & run to the Lions 37-yard line, putting Washington into long field goal range.

After a pair of plays and a false start flag against Biadasz for a too-quick head bob, the Commanders faced 3rd & 14 at the 41-yard line. On the 3rd down play, Jamison Crowder picked up 13 yards to bring up 4th & 1 at the 28-yard line.

Marcus Mariota came on like he did a week ago, looking like he was going to run a QB sneak. The play was not well executed and failed.

The Lions took over on downs at their own 29-yard line.

Detroit draws first blood
The Lions picked up three first downs on a pass, a run and a screen to get deep into Washington territory at the 15-yard line

Runs by Gibbs and Montgomery put the ball at the Commanders 1-yard line. The drive was lightning fast, and was finished off with Gibbs running untouched into the end zone for the game’s first score. The Lions had covered 71 yards in just 6 plays. 7-0 Lions.

Commanders settle for 3 points
A Daniels run followed by an 11-yard pass to Terry McLaurin earned a 1st down, but Ekeler lost 4 yards on the subsequent 1st down play to bring up 2nd & 14. Two plays later, on 3rd & 10, Daniels hit Jamison Crowder for the first down (12 yard gain) at the Lions 43-yard line.

Brian Robinson ran inside for 14 yards to announce his return to form, putting the ball at the Lions 29-yard line. So far, Washington’s offense has been effective aside from the botched 4th down play.

They didn’t move the ball on the next two plays, though, and faced 3rd & 10 at the 29. On the third down play, Daniels hit Dyami Brown in the hands at the 15-yard line, but the Lions DB Vidor knocked the ball from his hands to force 4th down and a field goal attempt.

Gonzalez nailed the 47-yard kick to make the score 7-3. The scoring drive covered 41 yards in 10 plays. With just under 4 minutes left in the first quarter, the Lions would get the ball back.

Turnover #1
Washington’s defense got the stop on the first drive, but gave up an easy touchdown on the second one. Now, the Lions are cutting through the burgundy D like a hot knife through butter. A 33-yard run by Gibbs and two passes to LaPorta put the ball at the Washington 20-yard line, 2nd & 4.

But on 3rd & 1 at the 17-yard line, the Lions’ OL protection broke down. Dorance Armstrong broke through and hit Jared Goff from behind, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Frankie Luvu at the 22-yard line! Fantastic recovery by the defense (and Luvu)!!!

With 00:55 remaining in the first quarter, the Commanders offense has a chance to drive the field and take the lead in this important game.

Eleven plays, 78 yards, 7 points
Brian Robinson made Dan Quinn look good by running for 15 yards on 1st down, followed by another 5 yard run to push the ball to the 42 yard line as the quarter ended.

Second Quarter

Washington opened the second stanza facing 2nd & 5 at their own 42-yard line, trailing by 4 points.

Daniels hit Dyami Brown deep, inside the Lions 30-yard line on the first play of the quarter, and Dyami carries the ball inside the 20.

Daniels scrambled twice to move the ball to the Lions 9-yard line, 3rd & 3, but couldn’t find Zaccheaus on the 3rd down play.

With 4th & 3, Dan Quinn, of course, left his offense on the field. Daniels hit Zach Ertz in the middle of the field at the 5 yard line, and he ended up at the Detroit 2-yard line, 1st & goal.

Daniels missed a wide open John Bates for what would have been a walk-in TD on first down, then lost a yard running the ball right on 2nd down.

On 3rd & goal from the 3-yard line, Daniels targeted McLaurin on a fade to the right corner of the end zone, but a defensive pass interference flag was thrown as Terry rolled on the ground. 1st & goal from the 1-yard line.

On 2nd & goal, Brian Robinson finished the drive with a run up the gut to score the go—ahead touchdown!!

Sam Cosmi was injured on the play and had to be helped from the field in apparent pain.

Following the PAT, the score was WAS 10, DET 7.

Robinson now has 35 yards on 7 carries, with a touchdown.

The scoring drive following the defensive takeaway lasted 11 plays and covered 78 yards.

Lions roar back with a touchdown of their own
Following the kickoff, Detroit’s offense came back on the field with just under 11 minutes left in the game, with the ball near at 30-yard line following a 28-yard return.

On first down, Goff threw deep downfield to Jamison Williams, but overthrew the open receiver by half a step. Two plays later, on 3rd & 3, Goff hit Amon-Ra St. Brown for a big gain of 34 yards with Noah Igbinoghene in coverage. It was a great throw and catch.

The Lions ran Gibbs on the next play, and he earned the 1st down at Washington’s 17-yard line.

A few plays later, with 1st & goal at the Washington 2-yard line, Goff, under pressure, threw a pass to TE Sam La Porta, who made a sensational catch for another touchdown. With the extra point, the score was 14-10 Lions.

Following the kickoff, Washington started its 4th offensive drive of the day at the 30-yard line

So far, the Lions have 189 total yards compared to 173 for Washington. Goff is 8-10 for 120 yards and a TD while Daniels is 10-16 for 132 yards. But Jahmyr Gibbs has 6 runs for 70 yards and a TD.

Commanders put together 2nd-straight TD drive; 3rd-straight scoring drive
With under 8 minutes left in the half, the Commanders offense takes the field with Trent Scott in at RG for the injured Sam Cosmi.

On the third offensive play of the drive, 1st & 10 at the Washington 41-yard line, Daniels hit McClaurin on a receiver screen behind the LOS to the left. Terry split his blockers, broke a tackle, and raced 59 yards for a huge touchdown!!

Many fans have identified this as one of their favorite plays of the season — THE favorite for some.

After the PAT, the Commanders led 17-14 on the road in the divisional round playoff game. The scoring drive lasted 3 plays and covered 70 yards. Terry now has 3 catches for 70 yards and a TD while Dyami has 3 receptions for 58 yards. We have an offensive ball game underway with 5 scores and only one punt in 8 offensive possessions by the two teams.

Quan Martin PICK SIX
Following a penalty and a run for loss, on 2nd & 16, Jared Goff went deep for Tim Patrick, but he badly overthrew him and Quan Martin fielded the pass like a punt and returned it for a touchdown!!!

TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN WASHINGTON!!!

Gonzalez nailed the extra point and in a flash, Washington had a 10-point lead with under 6 minutes remaining in the half, 24-14.

The Lions fans at Ford Field sat in stunned silence as Commanders fans cheered. The difference in this game has been two turnovers — a fumble and interception each charged to Goff.

Jared Goff was blown up by Frankie Luvu on the INT play and went to the blue tent.

Lions explode for 73 yards in 3 plays to cut the lead to 3 points
Teddy Bridgewater, Goff’s backup, came out to run the offense, starting a the 27-yard line after a short return.

He did the right thing by handing the ball to and then throwing short to Jahmyr Gibbs for a first down. On the TV coverage, Goff was shown coming back to the field just as Jamison Williams took the ball on a reverse and ran 61 yards untouched for a huge touchdown run to get the Lions back in the game!!

D’oh!!

Washington’s lead is cut to 24-21 with 4 minutes left in the half.

Commanders score their 4th touchdown of the first half
Austin Ekeler got 8 yards on a run up the middle, followed by a 15-yard scamper by Daniels on 2nd down to quiet the crowd for a moment — but only a moment. They were full-throated by the time the next play was called.

On 2nd & 8 from the DET 45-yard line, Daniels, with great protection, went deep for Dyami Brown, who hauled in a perfect pass against good coverage for a 38-yard gain to the Lions 6-yard line as the 2-minute warning was given.

Following the timeout, the Commanders faced 1st & goal at the 6 with a chance to extend the lead before halftime. With 45 points on the board already for the two teams combined, people who bet the “over” seem to be in pretty good shape at the moment.

Two plays later, Washington faced 3rd & goal from the 5 yard line. On the 3rd down play, Zach Ertz went in motion and ran a simple route. Daniels had plenty of time and hit the TE one-yard deep in the end zone for a workmanlike touchdown play.

After the PAT, the Commanders enjoyed a 31-21 lead with 01:45 on the clock.

Turnover #3
The Lions took the field for their final drive of the first half at the 30-yard line following the touchback. Goff led his offense onto the field for the drive with 2 timeouts in his pocket.

The Commanders played 2 safeties, leaving the middle of the field open. After a couple of middle-field completions, a called completion was reversed on review, and the Lions had the ball 3rd & 3 at their own 48-yard line with 61 ticks on the clock. This is a big play.

On 3rd down, Gibbs carried the ball up the middle to the Washington 41-yard line and a first down.

Another middle-field completion to Gibbs went for 12 yards and a 1st down at the Washington 29-yard line with 35 seconds left. Detroit has one timeout remaining.

On the 1st down play, Goff went for the big play throwing to Jamison Williams in the middle of the end zone, but Mikey Sainristil stepped in front of the receiver and picked off the pass to kill the drive!!!

Sainristil returned the ball to the 29 yard line, where Jayden Daniels came out and kneeled down in front of a stunned Detroit partisan crowd to close out a dominant first half of Commanders football that has featured 3 Jared Goff turnovers and a 10-point Washington lead.

Washington will get the ball to open the second half with a chance to open up a 3-score lead.

Halftime Stats

Statistics via ESPN

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Third Quarter

The difference in this game has been 3 turnovers by Jared Goff on 7 Detroit offensive drives. The Commanders are entering the second half with a double-digit lead, with the Washington offense having scored on 4 of the 5 drives that didn’t end in a kneel-down. No one has punted since the Lions did so on the first drive of the game. Washington has been winning on offense, defense (turnovers) and special teams so far.

To win this game, Detroit will need to stop the Commanders offense, which they haven’t been able to do since the botched QB sneak early in the 1st quarter. The two teams combined for over 600 yards of offense (and a defensive pick-6) in the first half.

Commanders forced to punt for the only time in the game
Brian Robinson picked up where he left off in the first half with a 14-yard run up the middle out of shotgun.

Two plays later, the Commanders faced 3rd & 11 at their own 43-yard line. On 3rd down, the Lions finally held tough and forced an incomplete pass and Tress Way’s first punt since the end of the regular season. Hopefully, this wasn’t the first crack in the armor for Washington (spoiler: it wasn’t).

The ball was downed at the Lions 9-yard line.

Lions put together an 11-play, 91-yard TD drive
After a first down, an incomplete pass and a short run, the Lions had 3rd & 2 at the 28-yard line. On 3rd down, Gibbs was buried in the backfield as Fowler and Luvu hit him deep, but a facemask penalty against Fowler — a bad call; Fowler had the shoulder pad, not the face mask — the Lions were gifted a first down at the 43-yard line.

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 10 after Gibbs was stuffed on two runs, but on the money down, Goff hit St. Brown for a catch & run of 19 yards to the Washington 38-yard line.

The next two plays earned 31 yards to give the Lions 1st & goal at the 7-yard line.

On 2nd down, Gibbs powered up the middle to score.

After the PAT, the score stood at 31-28 Commanders.

Commanders drive 70 yards in 15 plays to add 7 points to their lead
Daniels opened up by beating a pair of blitzes for 15 yards for 1st & 10 at the 31-yard line.

Brian Robinson gained 5 yards on a run, but an unnecessary roughness call against the Lions for a hit on Daniels after he handed off the ball pushed the ball to the Lions 35-yard line, 1st & 10.

Robinson ran for 7, and then for 2 to bring up 3rd & 1 at the Detroit 26-yard line. The Commanders were in field goal range, but that didn’t matter. On third down, they went to Robinson for the third straight play to get the 1st down.

Two plays later, on 3rd & 6 at the 20-yard line, Dyami Brown caught a pass just short of the line to gain, bringing up 4th & 2 at the 16 yard line. Lions DB Brian Branch was shaken up on the play.

Dan Quinn, of course, faced with taking the easy field goal or playing for a touchdown, left his offense on the field. On 4th down, with the Detroit fans screaming, the Commanders faked the handoff from a jumbo package, and Daniels kept the ball for a scamper around the right end for an easy first down at the 13 yard line.

After a short pass reception and a short run by Austin Ekeler, time ran out on the 3rd quarter with Washington knocking at the door of the Lions end zone with 3rd & 3 at the 6-yard line.

Fourth Quarter

There had been a scoring explosion in the 2nd quarter (42 points). What will happen in the 4th? (Another spoiler: Commanders would score 14 of the 4 quarter’s 17 points)

On third down, a short pass to Zach Ertz was stopped at the line of scrimmage.

On 4th & 2, Detroit was flagged for 12 men on the field, giving Washington 1st & goal at the 2-yard line.

On first down, Brian Robinson ran inside the one-yard line. On 2nd down, Robinson bulled his way into the end zone! Touchdown Washington!

The 15-play drive covered 70 yards and burned 8:28 off the clock.

Following the PAT, the Commanders lead was back to 10 points, 38-28 with 13:29 left in the game.

Turnover #4
The Lions, needing two scores, went back to the run game with Montgomery before Goff completed a pass for 22 yards to Tim Patrick — a huge play that pushed the ball to the 46-yard line.

The Lions went to the bag of tricks on the next play, with Jamison Williams throwing downfield for Jahmyr Gibbs, but rookie Mikey Sainristil showed why he was a national champion with Michigan last year by PICKING OFF THE PASS on the right sideline.

Commanders take over 1st & 10 at the Washington 34-yard line with 12 minutes left in the game. Here’s a chance to put the game away with a scoring drive. Washington’s defense has FOUR takeaways for the game!

Commanders score their 6th touchdown of the game
On first down, Austin Ekeler took a handoff on an inside zone run and rumbled 35 yards to the Detroit 31-yard line!

On the next play, Daniels scrambled, spinning and breaking tackles to reach the 21-yard line and earn another 1st down.

After a delay of game penalty, a short run and a 10-yard completion to Zach Ertz, the Commanders faced 3rd & 2 at the 13-yard line.

The 3rd down pass was behind McLaurin and incomplete to force another 4th down decision by Dan Quinn, who never hesitated.

On 4th & 2, Daniels hit Terry McLaurin in the face of an oncoming rusher. McLaurin earned 12 yards to give his team 1st & goal at the 1-yard line.

Jeremy McNichols got the ball and bulled his way towards the goal line as he was tackled by the entire Lions defense, reaching the ball over the goal line with 07:31 left on the clock.

After the extra point the Detroit crowd was silent as they stared at 45-28 on the scoreboard. Washington has a history of dropping 40-burgers on the Lions in the playoffs; the rout is on.

Following the kickoff, Detroit takes the field at the 30-yard line trailing by 17 points and just 07:31 remaining to save the season.

Lions score their final 3 points of the game
Washington rushed 4 and played soft coverage, and the Lions moved the ball downfield. Soon, they had moved the ball into Washington territory to the 25-yard line, but the clock was running down below 6 minutes.

With 05:01 on the clock and the Lions facing 4th & 8 at Washington’s 10-yard line, Dan Campbell opted for a field goal to cut the lead to 14 points at 45-31 with 5 minutes left in the game.

Needing the ball and two scores to tie or win the ball game, Campbell decided to attempt the onside kick. It was well kicked by the kicker, Bates, but Zach Ertz came up with the recovery at the Washington 40-yard line. The Lions defense would need a stop here if they were to keep their season alive.

Zane Gonzalez misses a 44-yard field goal
On 3rd down with 04:08 remaining in the game, Daniels, with great protection, hit a wide-open John Bates inside the Detroit 40-yard line for 20 yards and a 1st down.

With the clock down around 03:20 and a 14-point lead, this game appeared to be over. The Lions use their final timeout after forcing 3rd & 6 with 03:13 on the clock. Robinson earned 5 yards to bring up 4th & 1, and Dan Quinn decided to let Zane Gonzalez earn his paycheck this week with a 44-yard field goal attempt to extend the lead to 3 scores.

Gonzalez’ kick was no good — wide left.

Turnover #5 comes with 00:25 on the clock
The Lions take over at their own 26-yard line with 02:26 on the clock, trailing by 14 points.

On 1st down, Dorance Armstrong broke through for his second sack of the day. The two-minute warning was given as Sam LaPorta earned 11 yards to bring up 3rd & 10.

Obviously, this was a 4-down situation for Detroit. On 3rd down, Goff hit Jahmyr Gibbs in the middle of the field. It appeared he was short of the first down, but the on-field officials awarded him the line-to-gain. On review, the ruling was reversed, bringing up 4th down with 01:41 on the game clock.

On the play, Goff held the ball and trotted left, going out of bounds at midfield to earn the first down.

With the middle of the field open, the Lions completed a pass, then had to spike the ball to bring up 2nd & 10 with 73 seconds remaining.

Two plays later, the Lions were at 4th & 1, with 54 seconds and a stopped clock at the 30-yard line.

On 4th down, the pass was complete to St. Brown for a 1st down, followed by a spike. With 39 seconds left, it was 2nd & 10, but Goff, scrambling under heavy pressure, threw his pass to Williams off target to force third down.

All hope for the Lions was erased by Jeremy Chinn, who stepped in front of the 3rd down pass at the goal line to secure Washington’s 4th interception of the day, sending the Commanders to the NFC Championship game!!

Washington Commanders vs. Detroit Lions | 2024 Divisional Round Game Highlights

Full Game Stats

Statistics via ESPN