(Detroit) Jayden Daniels threw two touchdown passes in a flawless performance and the Commanders stunned the Detroit Lions 45-31 Saturday night to reach the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the Super Bowl, 33 years ago.
Published yesterday at 11:58 p.m.
Larry Lage
Associated Press
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
The Commanders were the underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions and overcame doubts as they have all season with a rookie quarterback, a new head coach and a new general manager.
“I always believed that we could accomplish more than what people saw in us,” Daniels added.
The Lions ran into their own loss by causing five turnovers.
“Now is not the time to talk about the year we had and all the wins,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. We are here to make it to the end and we have failed. It hurts. »
Commanders rookie Mike Sainristil threw two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams in the fourth quarter.
PHOTO MIKE MULHOLLAND, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mike Sainristil (0) intercepts a pass intended for Jameson Williams (9).
“It’s hard to fool Mike,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said.
Quan Martin returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown.
-Jared Goff threw three interceptions and fumbled a ball, causing three turnovers in the first half alone.
Daniels finished the game with 299 passing yards and 51 rushing yards. Furthermore, he never lost the ball.
“He has a different attitude,” admitted Quinn, speaking of his quarterback. He is a rare competitor. »
Quinn led the Commanders to their first playoff victory in 19 years last week. The Commanders beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their sixth victory after overcoming a deficit this year.
The Commanders, who converted three of their four fourth downs, didn’t let the Lions get any closer to them.
“We have to give them credit,” Campbell said. They deserved this match and not us. »
The Washington team outscored its opponent 28-14 in the second quarter — the most prolific quarter in NFL playoff history — to take a 31-21 lead at halftime.
Daniels had 242 passing yards in the first half, setting a record for a rookie a week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in rushing and passing yards in a playoff victory.
“Nothing surprises me about him,” admitted receiver Terry McLaurin, who turned a short pass from Daniels into a 58-yard touchdown.
Brian Robinson of the Commanders ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Goff completed 23 of 40 passes for 313 yards, a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta and three interceptions.
The Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 105 yards and scored two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown caught eight passes for 137 yards.
