DETROIT – 15 Wins.

Franchise record after franchise record.

The NFC’s number one seed.

Super Bowl runs often hinge on capturing lightning in a bottle, and the Lions seemed to have it all. That’s what makes Saturday’s loss in the NFC Divisional Round to the Commanders so shocking.

Did injuries pile up on Saturday? Absolutely. But so did mistakes across the board. This team played balanced football all year, and there’s equal blame to go around.

The top seed was supposed to leave the Lions rested, but instead, they looked more rusty than ready.

On offense, four turnovers from quarterback Jared Goff—including a pick-six—proved costly. Goff picked the worst time to have a terrible game, with those turnovers coming at the worst possible moments. His first interception was returned for a touchdown, immediately following Washington’s go-ahead score. The Lions had a chance to cut the deficit to one possession before halftime, but Goff forced a pass into the end zone, resulting in his second pick of the night.

The defense, which had handled the Vikings in the regular season finale, completely unraveled in the next game.

After inspiring hope heading into the playoffs, the Lions defense gave up 24 points and 312 yards—by halftime. They failed to generate timely turnovers, while Washington thrived on fourth down. Though the Lions stopped them once, they subsequently surrendered three straight fourth-down conversions in the red zone.

And that doesn’t even cover one of the night’s biggest blunders.

Coaching played a role in the loss as well.

A costly 12-men-on-the-field penalty on fourth down didn’t single-handedly decide the game, but it felt like the final nail in the coffin. It crushed any remaining hope of a comeback.

Then there was the questionable trick play. Down by 10 and driving, the Lions opted for a gadget play that backfired when Jameson Williams threw an ill-advised pass that was intercepted.

“I didn’t have them ready,” head coach Dan Campbell admitted after the game.

Despite the odds, the Lions found ways to win all season. They accomplished special things, but one achievement continues to elude this franchise.

“All the stats, accolades, and things like that—I just don’t get the inkling that guys will really care about that,” Lions tackle Taylor Decker told Local 4. “They want the ultimate team accolade.”

Washington came to Detroit and beat the Lions at their own gritty game. They forced turnovers. They owned fourth down. They rose to the moment when it mattered most.

Since 2021, the Lions have clawed their way to the top. But when they got there this year, they faltered in the game that mattered more than any other this season.

Maybe getting knocked down is exactly what they need to get back up—and finally reach the ultimate goal.