Dan Campbell takes over offensive play-calling as Lions steamroll Commanders in playoff rematch

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Landover, Md. — In a month-long offensive rut, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell took over playcalling from coordinator John Morton, sparking a 44-22 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday at Northwest Stadium.

“It’s just a changeup,” Campbell told Fox sideline reporter Megan Olivi. “We wanted to mix things up.”

The Lions found the end zone on the team’s first three possessions and four of their first five drives, jumping out to a three-score lead early in the third quarter.

Detroit, which moved to 6-3 with the victory, netted points on all eight of the team’s possessions before finishing the game by taking a knee.

The Lions’ attack was both explosive and balanced, with quarterback Jared Goff throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns and running back Jahmyr Gibbs pacing the backfield with 142 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. He also did damage as a pass-catcher, finishing with 172 yards from scrimmage and a third score.

Gibbs’ touchdown grab capped the team’s first offensive possession, the first of three touchdown drives that averaged more than nine plays and 75 yards.

Washington (3-7) hung around, staying within two scores until late in the third quarter, but never led.

Game ball

Admittedly, the easy answer would be Gibbs, but we’re giving the honor to Detroit’s offensive line, which had been banged-up and struggling coming into this contest. After allowing a season-high five sacks against the Vikings last week, the unit didn’t give up one against the Commanders, while helping pave the way for Gibbs’ big day on the ground.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 8:24 — After the defense forced a three-and-out to open the game, Detroit’s offense marched 78 yards on 10 plays. The ground game was efficient, with Gibbs and David Montgomery carrying the ball five times for 26 yards. Jameson Williams extended the possession with a third-down grab on a comeback route, setting up a 14-yard touchdown pass to Gibbs across the middle. LIONS 7, COMMANDERS 0

● 5:43 — Sparked by a 46-yard kickoff return, the Commanders quickly moved into field goal range with a couple of first downs before settling for a 44-yard Matt Gay kick to slice Detroit’s early advantage. LIONS 7, COMMANDERS 3

● 1:58 — Opening the series with gains of 14, 12 and 16 yards, Detroit pushed into the red zone with a third-down-converting grab by Sam LaPorta. Looking at another third-and-7 from the 9-yard line, Goff found St. Brown on a short dig route, with the receiver slicing between two defenders and lunging across the goal line. LIONS 14, COMMANDERS 3

Second quarter

● 9:41 — Detroit kept its foot on the gas, driving 82 yards on nine plays for a third consecutive touchdown to open the game. Gibbs was the focal point of the series, gaining 61 yards on five carries and a reception. He capped the possession with a 13-yard run, getting swarmed at the 4-yard line, keeping his feet and backing into the end zone.

Following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the score, the Lions went for two and converted with a Montgomery run up the gut. LIONS 22, COMMANDERS 3

● 3:39 — Sparked by a 41-yard bomb to Jaylin Lane on the second play of the series, Washington responded with a touchdown. Quarterback Marcus Mariota completed all three of his passes during the drive, including a 5-yard, fourth-down throw to tight end Zach Ertz to extend the possession. Backup running back Chris Rodriguez put the finishing touches on the drive with a 1-yard left-side run. LIONS 22, COMMANDERS 10

● 0:11 — The Lions opened with an 18-yard pass to Kalif Raymond, which required a coach’s challenge to overturn the original ruling on the field. From there, Goff connected on a pair of fourth-down tosses to extend the drive and kill most of the remaining clock in the opening half before Jake Bates knocked home a 22-yard field goal. LIONS 25, COMMANDERS 10

Third quarter

● 12:06 — Instead of leaning on their halftime lead, the Lions came out swinging, throwing it four times during a five-play touchdown drive. Williams bookended the possession with a 22-yard grab to open the series and a 14-yard touchdown off a dig route, where he used his speed to beat the defender and turn upfield, flipping into the end zone as an exclamation point. LIONS 32, COMMANDERS 10

● 7:05 — Unwilling to go quietly, Mariota led a second touchdown drive, connecting with Treylon Burks on a 38-yard long ball down the right sideline against the coverage of backup cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. Then, facing fourth-and-3 from the 4-yard line, Mariota found Deebo Samuel open in the back corner of the end zone. The Commanders’ two-point try failed. LIONS 32, COMMANDERS 16

● 2:33 — Two grabs for Williams, including a 41-yarder early on the drive, were enough to get Detroit into field-goal range, pushing the lead back to three scores with the 28-yard make by Bates. LIONS 35, COMMANDERS 16

Fourth quarter

● 12:50 — Bordering on unstoppable, the Lions found the end zone again, needing six plays to go 84 yards. On second down, just across midfield, Gibbs took a shotgun pitch from Goff behind pulling blocks from right tackle Penei Sewell and LaPorta. The back burst through a hole for a 44-yard touchdown, his third of the game. Bates’ extra point try was blocked. LIONS 41-16

● 6:57 — Washington drove 10 plays, using nearly six minutes of clock, before Mariota found tight end Ben Sinnott for a 4-yard touchdown. Again, the Commanders’ two-point try failed. LIONS 41, COMMANDERS 22

● 4:34 — Following a failed onside kick by the Commanders, the Lions moved it 15 yards on the ground and took a 48-yard field goal from Bates. LIONS 44, COMMANDERS 22

Turnovers

● None

Injuries

● Sewell briefly exited the contest in the first quarter after his left leg was rolled up on from behind.

● Center Graham Glasgow suffered a back injury in the second quarter and was temporarily replaced by Trystan Colon. Glasgow returned to action to begin the second half.

● Cornerback Terrion Arnold was ruled out with a concussion after the half.

Key stats

● Goff completed 25-of-33 for 320 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, adding up to a 135.9 passer rating.

● In addition to Gibbs’ 142 rushing yards, Montgomery chipped in 71 yards on 15 carries.

● Williams paced the receivers with six grabs for 119 yards and a touchdown. St. Brown and LaPorta each finished with five receptions.

● Brian Branch and Jack Campbell each had seven tackles, with Branch adding in 1.5 sacks. The versatile defensive back split the second with defensive tackle Roy Lopez.

Notable

● Donald Trump was in attendance for Sunday’s game, marking the first time a sitting President attended an NFL regular-season game since Jimmy Carter in 1978. From a suite, Trump led a ceremony honoring United States military veterans during halftime.

● After losing 21 consecutive road games to Washington, the Lions have now won two of their past three as visitors.

● Backup Kyle Allen took over for Goff with 6:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.

● The Lions finished 5-for-10 on third down and converted both of their fourth-down tries.

Inactives

In addition to Kerby Joseph, Pat O’Connor and Jacob Saylors, who were each ruled out with injuries on Friday, the team also scratched defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson, safety Erick Hallett and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo for Sunday’s game.

Next game

The Lions will be back on the road for a Sunday Night Football showdown against the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Nov. 16. It will be consecutive primetime games for the Eagles, who are in Green Bay this Monday night.