The outcome will be determined by official NFL game statistics

Commanders Upset Top-Seeded Lions 45-31; Rookie Jayden Daniels Leads Team to First NFC Championship Since 1992

Jan 19, 2025, 02:53 AM

The Washington Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Ford Field, advancing to their first NFC Championship game since 1992. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the Commanders with a remarkable performance, passing for 299 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, and rushing for 51 yards. Tight end Zach Ertz also caught a touchdown pass from Daniels. The Commanders' defense contributed with a pick-six, and they capitalized on three Lions turnovers. The Commanders scored 31 points in the first half, the most by any team in the first half of a playoff game in the last five years. At halftime, the total yards were nearly even, with the Commanders at 312 and the Lions at 309. Daniels became the first rookie in NFL history with over 300 total yards in two playoff games and broke Andrew Luck's rookie record for offensive yards. The Lions, who had completed the best season in franchise history with 15 wins and were considered Super Bowl favorites, were stunned by the Commanders' high-powered offense. The Commanders, led by the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall pick Daniels, are now one win away from reaching Super Bowl 59.