Five Things We Learned From Detroit’s Stunning Playoff Loss
Credit: Junfu Han via Imagn Images
A season to remember ended with a night to forget, as the Lions fell to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round by a final score of 45-31. Despite offensive firepower from both teams Detroit’s undoing on offense came in the form of turnovers, as their passers combined to throw four interceptions. The defense suffered as well, as Amik Robertson suffered a broken arm on his second snap of the game, and Detroit’s inability to generate sacks allowed Jayden Daniels to play to his full potential.
Here are five things we learned from this game?
We Don’t Need To Rush To Blame Jared Goff
Quarterbacks usually shoulder a lot of the blame, especially in the midst of a soul-crushing defeat in the Divisional round. However, Goff still managed to put up 313 yards on a Washington secondary that is much improved from where it was at the beginning of the season.
The problem is that despite his solid production, he coughed up four turnovers. Goff lost a fumble and threw three interceptions, the first of which was taken to the house.
“I wish I could’ve played a little better,” Goff said after the game. “Wish I could’ve taken care of the ball a little bit better. Obviously, the Pick-6 is really the one I’d really like back. That was just a poor decision by me. The other ones are just sometimes a part of the game. But yeah, it’s on me, I gotta take care of it better. Certainly would’ve given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that.”
Even with his turnover-filled performance, the Lions’ defense allowed five offensive touchdowns. It wasted a Lions’ offensive performance where they topped 300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards, which was the first time in playoff history that a team lost in the playoffs in that scenario. To solely blame Goff in the wake of a porous defensive performance would be incorrect.
Even In The Worst Losses, Dan Campbell’s Culture Persists
Dan Campbell has made a name for himself in NFL coaching lore due to his “blood, sweat, and tears” attitude towards his line of work. In the wake of Detroit’s disappointing loss to Washington, Campbell was the first to point fingers at himself.
Dan Campbell: "At the end of the day, I didn't have them ready."
— Pride of Detroit (@PrideOfDetroit) January 19, 2025
Campbell was tearful after the season that the Lions had ended so suddenly. In that postgame presser, he displayed the accountability that shows he fully embraces the culture he’s instilled in the locker room throughout his Lions coaching tenure. It’s what got the Lions to where they are in the first place, and it’s what has made him a fan favorite in Detroit. Campbell’s Built Ford Tough-level attitude and passion will give the Lions the best opportunity to bounce back in 2025.
Does Detroit Need A Throttle?
The Lions threw four interceptions, only three of which were credited to Goff. The fourth was on a trick play that was immediately criticized due to hindsight being 20/20.
Jameson Williams should know not to throw this. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/tzdhyk0UjE
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 19, 2025
Detroit has made a name for themselves with Ben Johnson’s offensive creativity. You can’t deny those wrinkles have paid off for the Lions in the past. However, with the team looking to get back in the game, and their offensive system producing just fine as it was, the decision to get cute and reach into the bag of tricks led to the turnover that resulted in Washington’s kill-shot touchdown.
Yes, these plays have been part of Detroit’s DNA, but so is pounding opponents with a brutally effective, straightforward attack. Their offensive efficiency and abundance of weapons propelled them to the No. 1 seed. But instead of putting the pedal to the metal and trying to blow the Commanders defense out of the water, their trickery did them in.
That obviously was far from the main catalyst in the defeat, as Washington scored 38 points beforehand, but that play didn’t do them any favors when they needed a boost the most.
Which leads us to…
This Staff Can Be Outcoached
While Campbell has a coaching staff that is held in high regard, they lost out to a coaching staff who figured out exactly how to exploit Detroit’s weaknesses.
What an incredible job by Dan Quinn and Kliff Kingsbury along with Adam Peters
Outstanding by all 3
But this is about this young QB that may be writing the greatest rookie QB season we’ve ever seen in the NFL
Absolutely in awe
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 19, 2025
Daniels was a part of a Commanders offense that spent the season firing on all cylinders. Helped by Detroit’s injury-plagued defense, Washington’s coaching staff was able to use their electric quarterback in any way they wished. Dan Quinn, who has ample postseason experience with multiple NFC teams (Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons), knew he had an advantage on offense against an injury-depleted defense.
And when Washington was on defense, he had his team prepared for everything the Lions threw at them (literally). The five turnovers don’t lie. The Commanders’ ability to limit Detroit’s strengths at every turn showed just how well-prepared Washington’s coaching staff had their team prepared.
If Kevin Zeitler Leaves, Christian Mahogany Will Be Fine In His Place
The highest-graded player per PFF in yesterday’s game? None other than the player who stepped in for injured guard Kevin Zeitler.
Lost in last night’s disappointing loss was the fact that the Detroit Lions have found their left guard for 2025
Christian “Dirt Bag” Mahogany
– 92.2 overall PFF grade
– 91.9 PFF run blocking gradeHighest graded player for both teams at any position. pic.twitter.com/4XW5OmCi8P
— Detroit Illustrated (@DETillustrated) January 19, 2025
Christian Mahogany, who played all 69 of Detroit’s offensive snaps, had a few slip-ups in the pass blocking game (one sack and three pressures allowed), but was a monster run blocker.
Christian Mahogany is the future.
Paving the way for Gibbs 🔥 https://t.co/CbqUQAr0lI pic.twitter.com/ST4QhSydVh
— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@the_det_times) January 19, 2025
Zeitler, a 2023 Pro Bowler, is set to enter both free agency and his age-35 season as 2025 rolls around. But Detroit’s most recent sixth-round pick set the stage for a potential starting role with the team, especially with his strong performance in a fill-in role. Entering an offseason that began sooner than Lions fans would have hoped, Mahogany provides optimism that he can be a long-time anchor at guard for an already elite offensive line in Detroit.
Up Next