The Detroit Lions appeared to be a team of destiny this NFL season, finishing with a remarkable 15-2 record and securing the top seed in the NFC heading into the playoffs. However, destiny proved to be unpredictable as the Washington Commanders, the 6-seed, stunned the Lions with a 45-31 victory at Ford Field. Now, the Commanders advance to the NFC Championship, while the Lions are left pondering what might have been.
The emotional aftermath of this letdown is palpable in Detroit, felt not only by the fans craving to see their team compete for a Super Bowl for the first time but also by the players and coaches who put in so much effort yet fell short. Head coach Dan Campbell, the mastermind behind the Lions’ recent success, confronted the press after the tough loss, visibly shaken as he expressed his thoughts on what went wrong, his voice breaking as tears threatened to spill.
Dan Campbell was visibly emotional during his postgame press conference after the Lions’ loss to the Commanders. pic.twitter.com/NIREn7qgRv
— ESPN (@espn) January 19, 2025
“It just hurts to lose, man. I don’t care if you’re the 7-seed, 6-seed, 5-seed, 1-seed. Cause I’ve lost them all down there, and it stings. It’s hard when you lose these games. The players put so much into it, and a lot of people don’t understand what they endure physically and mentally,” Campbell reflected. He further added, “Long season… It’s my fault. It’s my fault.”
On the field, Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels proved too formidable for the Lions, completing 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards, two touchdowns, and no turnovers. In contrast, the Lions had a dismal outing, throwing three interceptions and committing a fumble at a crucial moment.
“It’s not the time to talk about what a great year (it was)… because at this moment, I don’t think any of us feel that way,” Campbell said. It’s going to be a long offseason for the Lions as they try to regroup, while Washington assumes the mantle of the NFC’s team of destiny.
