Heading into the divisional round, the Detroit Lions had their sights set high. Unfortunately, their playoff journey came to an end with a tough 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders.
After a record-breaking season that saw them win 15 games and secure the top seed in the NFC, this early playoff exit is a bitter disappointment. Many believed the Lions had a legitimate shot at reaching the Super Bowl. However, a series of offensive mistakes, an inability to contain a strong Commanders offense, and some questionable coaching decisions proved costly.
For a team that had accomplished so much during the regular season, this loss is a tough pill to swallow. With potential changes looming in Detroit, the offseason will undoubtedly bring intrigue and speculation about what lies ahead.
Here are the Lions’ Studs and Duds from their playoff loss to the Commanders.
Stud: Jahmyr Gibbs
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 18: Jahmyr Gibbs #26 of the Detroit Lions runs the ball for a touchdown during the first quarter on Commanders in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
One of the few bright spots for the Lions was Gibbs, who served as the catalyst for their offense when they needed a spark. He finished the day with 105 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, and two touchdowns, consistently showcasing his top-end speed and elusiveness with explosive plays.
Unfortunately, as the Lions fell further behind in the second half, Gibbs became less of a factor in the run game. Regardless, his performance solidified his status as a focal point of the offense moving forward. No matter what changes the offseason may bring, Gibbs will undoubtedly remain a key piece of Detroit’s future plans.
Dud: Jared Goff
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) looks to avoid Washington Commanders defensive end Dorance Armstrong (92) in the first half against the Washington Commanders in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
Let’s make one thing clear: the Lions wouldn’t have been in this position without Jared Goff playing at a near-MVP level throughout the season. However, outside of the five-interception outing against the Houston Texans, this was likely Goff’s worst game of the year—and it came at the worst possible time.
Goff turned the ball over four times, including a costly pick-six after overthrowing Tim Patrick, and made several uncharacteristic decisions throughout the game. With the defense struggling to contain the Commanders’ offense, the Lions needed Goff to be in complete command. Unfortunately, his turnovers put them in a hole they simply couldn’t climb out of by the end.
Stud: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) runs the ball during the second half against the Washington Commanders of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
With the Lions playing from behind for much of the game, Jared Goff leaned heavily on his go-to receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, to spark the offense. St. Brown delivered, hauling in eight of ten targets for 137 yards and providing a much-needed boost.
He was also involved in a creative play, taking a pitch from David Montgomery that helped set up a touchdown drive. While St. Brown didn’t find the end zone himself, he came through with crucial catches when the Lions needed them most. Once again, he proved to be a reliable and indispensable weapon for Goff.
Dud: Secondary
Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz (86) scores a touchdown against Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
The Lions’ defense was dealt a significant blow early in the game when Amik Robertson went down with a broken arm, adding to an already lengthy list of injuries in their secondary. Things only got worse as the game progressed, with Brian Branch and Ifeatu Melifonwu also exiting, forcing two undrafted free agents into action. This inexperience led to costly mistakes, including a 12-men-on-the-field penalty that handed the Commanders a crucial fourth-down conversion near the end zone.
The safety play was also suspect, as the Commanders capitalized on several deep plays. Kerby Joseph, the Lions defensive weapon this season, had probably his worst game this year. Ultimately, the mounting injuries in the secondary appeared to catch up to the Lions, leaving them vulnerable to Jayden Daniels and a relentless Washington receiving corps, who carved them up throughout the game.
Dud: Run Defense
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) and Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) bring down Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) in the first quarter in the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
The Lions’ defense, typically stout against the run and adept at forcing opponents into one-dimensional play, struggled mightily in this matchup. They surrendered 182 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground, with the front line unable to make crucial stops when it mattered most—a weakness the Commanders exploited to devastating effect.
These struggles in run defense compounded the issues in the secondary, leaving the Lions unable to contain the Commanders’ offense. Washington moved the ball with ease, methodically marching up and down the field throughout the game. For a defensive unit that had been largely effective all season, this performance was a disappointing letdown at the worst possible time.
Dud: Coaching decisions
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell watches a play against Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
A recurring theme in this game was players and coaches who had performed well all season picking the worst possible time to have an off day. The coaching staff was no exception. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson attempted to inject life into the Lions’ offense with some trick plays, but the decision to have Jameson Williams throw a pass—resulting in an interception—was questionable, especially with the team only trailing by ten at the time.
On the defensive side, Aaron Glenn had no answers for the Commanders’ offense, which moved the ball effortlessly and scored at will. Perhaps most puzzling was the no-call timeout during a critical 4th-down play when the Lions had 12 men on the field, gifting Washington a conversion that kept their drive alive.
When you break down the game, many coaching decisions stand out as costly missteps that ultimately contributed to the Lions’ downfall. It was a frustrating end to an otherwise stellar season.