As the nice Invoice Belichick as soon as mentioned, and Tom Brady echoed from Fox’s broadcast sales space Saturday evening, “You can’t win until you keep from losing.”
Of their NFC divisional spherical matchup towards the Commanders, when it mattered most, Dan Campbell’s Lions beat themselves in a 45-31 loss that ended their season.
The self-inflicted wounds got here within the type of turnovers — 5 in complete, together with two Jared Goff interceptions within the first half — and, maybe much more painfully, unforced penalties, the worst of which got here at one of many recreation’s most pivotal junctures.
With Washington up by three factors and staring down a fourth-and-2 simply 5 yards out from Detroit’s finish zone on the outset of the fourth quarter, the Lions despatched 12 defenders onto the sector.
Coaches and gamers alike have been screaming and motioning from the sideline, making an attempt to get one of many defenders’ consideration.
However in Ford Area, the place 70,000 rabid followers have been screaming on the prime of their lungs, doing all they may to will their long-woebegone Lions towards the all-elusive first-ever Tremendous Bowl championship, none of these 12 defenders caught the message.
Yellow flags flew in.
The too many males penalty pushed the Commanders midway to the objective line, however much more critically, granted a contemporary set of downs.
And, two performs later, working again Brian Robinson Jr. punched the pigskin previous the objective line for the rating — pushing Washington’s result in 10.
Issues went from unhealthy to worse on the Lions’ ensuing drive when receiver Jameson Williams caught a pitch behind the road of scrimmage after which uncorked a wild move of his personal.
Williams’ double reverse was much less a move than a hope and a prayer, thrown towards the sideline the place one Lions receiver was surrounded by three Commanders defenders.
First-year cornerback Mike Sainristil got here down with the ball, and Jayden Daniels and firm took over at their very own 34-yard line.
The Commanders rookie quarterback led an exacting eight play, 66-yard drive down discipline to increase the result in 17 factors.
That unfold would maintain as Washington went on to assert an upset victory.
The Commanders will face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between the Rams and the Eagles with a visit to the Tremendous Bowl on the road.
