Rapid Rewind: 5 takeaways, fourth-down conversions help Commanders dash Lions' Super Bowl dream

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Detroit — All season, the Detroit Lions preached it would take more. But the only thing they produced more of in Saturday’s stunning Divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders was turnovers.

The Lions coughed it up five times in the 45-31 defeat in front of a gobsmacked crowd at Ford Field, wasting the No. 1 seed and the best chance in franchise history to make a Super Bowl.

The giveaways started in the opening quarter when quarterback Jared Goff lost a fumble while being sacked in the red zone. The Commanders turned that turnover into seven points, snagging a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter.

The sides traded touchdowns before Goff overthrew his intended target, Tim Patrick, later in the quarter. The pass was intercepted by safety Quan Martin, who returned it 40 yards into the end zone to extend Washington’s lead to 10.

Still down 10 in the closing minutes of the first half, Goff was intercepted again after leaving a pass into the end zone behind receiver Jameson Williams.

The Lions briefly cut the deficit to three in the third quarter but never got closer.

Once again trailing by 10, the game-sealing sequence saw Williams throw an interception after taking a reverse handoff. His downfield throw for running back Jahmyr Gibbs was corralled by Washington rookie cornerback Mike Sainristil.

Less than five minutes later, the Commanders put the finishing touches on the upset with a 1-yard touchdown run.

Goff added a third interception in the closing seconds while trying to lead a desperate rally.

The Lions’ year abruptly ends after going 15-2 in the regular season. The Commanders advance to the NFC Championship, where they’ll play the winner of Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams.

Scoring summary

First quarter

● 7:36 — After going three-and-out on the game’s opening series, the Lions reclaimed possession at their own 29-yard line following a fourth-down stop. With fresh life, the offense delivered a string of chunk gains — a 19-yard throw to Williams, a 15-yard run for Gibbs, and a 23-yard pass to Gibbs. That led to a 1-yard touchdown run for the dynamic running back, giving the Lions the early edge. LIONS 7, COMMANDERS 0

● 3:50 — Behind a series of crisp throws from rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders marched into Lions territory and had first-and-10 at the 29. That’s as far as they’d get with defensive end Za’Darius Smith batting down a throw at the line and cornerback Kindle Vildor breaking up a third-down target intended for Dyami Brown. That forced a 47-yard field goal try that Zane Gonzalez converted to get the Commanders on the board. LIONS 7, COMMANDERS 3

Second quarter

● 10:55 — Taking possession after a fumble, the Commanders struck rapidly with two Brian Robinson runs totaling 20 yards, followed by a zone-beating deep ball to Dyami Brown for 42 yards.

Detroit battled in the red zone, but Washington converted a fourth-and-3 before picking up a pass interference call against Kerby Joseph in the end zone on third-and-goal. That set up a 2-yard touchdown run for Robinson. COMMANDERS 10, LIONS 7

● 7:44 — On the cusp of going three-and-out after Goff’s drive-opening deep ball sailed just beyond the reach of Williams, the quarterback redeemed himself with a tight-window third-down toss to St. Brown down the right sideline for 34 yards. A nice run by Gibbs and bubble screen to Kalif Raymond set up first-and-goal from the 2-yard line. While being taken to the ground on that snap, Goff managed to get the ball to tight end Sam LaPorta for a diving grab in the back of the end zone. LIONS 14, COMMANDERS 10

● 6:23 — Daniels exposed the Lions’ nickel blitz with a quick throw to Terry McLaurin with two blockers in tow. That convoy took care of the two defenders in position to make a play as McLaurin raced down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown. COMMANDERS 17, LIONS 14

● 5:25 — Looking to respond, Detroit got off to a poor start when LaPorta was flagged for a false start ahead of the drive's first snap. On second-and-14, Goff located Patrick downfield in a soft spot in the zone coverage, but the throw sailed on the QB into the waiting arms of the safety Martin. After securing the interception, the defender weaved 40 yards into the end zone, translating the miscue into six for the visitors. COMMANDERS 24, LIONS 14

● 4:01 — With Goff getting evaluated for a concussion, Teddy Bridgewater stepped in to lead a three-play, 78-yard touchdown drive. The backup completed his lone pass, but the fireworks came courtesy of Williams, who took a reverse handoff down the left sideline before cutting back to the middle of the field for a 61-yard touchdown. COMMANDERS 24, LIONS 21

● 1:46 — Daniels moved the Commanders across midfield with a 15-yard zone-read keeper before connecting with Brown on a perfectly placed deep ball for 38 down to the 7-yard line. On third-and-goal, tight end Zach Ertz bested the coverage of Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu for a 5-yard touchdown. COMMANDERS 31, LIONS 21

Third quarter

● 6:57 — After Detroit’s defense forced a punt to open the half, the offense went on a methodical 11-play, 91-yard drive. Bailed out by a phantom face mask call on third down, offensive coordinator Ben Johnson dialed up a unique play call that saw David Montgomery take a pitch before shoveling it to St. Brown for a 20-yard gain down to the 7-yard line. Two snaps later, Gibbs was into the end zone for his second touchdown, going over 100 rushing yards on the 8-yard scoring carry. COMMANDERS 31, LIONS 28

Fourth quarter

● 13:29 — The Lions' defense had multiple chances but couldn't secure a critical stop. That included allowing two fourth-down conversions in the red zone, one via a penalty for having too many men on the field. The Commanders accepted the gift with Robinson ramming his way across the goal line from a yard out. COMMANDERS 38, LIONS 28

● 7:31 — Translating another turnover into points, the Commanders drove 66 yards in eight plays. Another fourth-down conversion in the red zone set up a 1-yard Jeremy McNichols touchdown plunge. COMMANDERS 45, LIONS 28

● 5:04— The Lions drove 60 yards in 2:30, but couldn’t finish in the end zone, settling for a 28-yard Jake Bates field goal to make it a two-score game. COMMANDERS 45, LIONS 31

Turnovers

● On a third-and-1 snap in the red zone late in the first quarter, Commanders defensive lineman Dorance Armstrong beat the block of Graham Glasgow, hitting Goff in the pocket and knocking the ball loose. The fumble was recovered by linebacker Frankie Luvu, ending the Lions’ scoring threat.

● Goff’s aforementioned second-quarter interception that was returned for a touchdown by the Commanders.

● In field goal range at the end of the first half, Goff’s end zone shot for Williams was undercut by Sainristil for Washington’s second interception.

● Taking a reverse handoff early in the fourth quarter, Williams attempted a downfield pass to Gibbs that was intercepted by Sainristil.

Key stats

● Beyond the four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble), Goff completed 23-for-39 for 313 yards and one touchdown.

Daniels, the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, was stellar once again. He completed 21-for-31`for 299 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. He added another 52 yards on the ground.

● Gibbs had 96 yards on nine carries in the first half, but finished with just 105 yards on 14 totes.

● St. Brown paced the pass-catchers with eight receptions for 137 yards.

● Jack Campbell paced the Lions with 14 tackles, while Alex Anzalone chipped in 13, including 12 solo stops and two going for a loss.

Notable

● In the opening quarter, the Commanders went for it on fourth-and-1 while in field goal range. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota came in to attempt the QB sneak but was stuffed by Lions defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad.

The Commanders would go on to covert their next three fourth-down tries, all in the red zone, resulting in a pair of touchdowns.

● The 42 combined points in the second quarter was an NFL postseason record.

Injuries

● During Detroit’s first defensive possession, Amik Robertson took a friendly fire shot from teammate Jack Campbell, resulting in an elbow injury. The cornerback was taken to the locker room for additional evaluation and ruled out at the start of the second quarter.

● Goff took a big shot while trying to make a tackle after an interception, requiring him to miss a series while being evaluated for a concussion.

● Ifeatu Melifonwu exited in the second half with a hamstring strain.

Inactives

The Lions made the following players inactive for the contest: Defensive end Mitchell Agude, quarterback Hendon Hooker, offensive tackle Giovanni Manu, defensive tackle Brodric Martin, defensive tackle Pat O'Connor, offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal and guard Kevin Zeitler.

Zeitler and O'Connor had been ruled out with injuries earlier in the week. The others were healthy scratches. Hooker flipped on the depth chart with veteran Bridgewater for the first time this season. Hooker still dressed for the game as the emergency third quarterback.