Following the Detroit Lions’ 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round, head coach Dan Campbell gave a candid assessment of his team’s performance. Despite a stellar 15-2 regular season, the Lions were unable to execute at the level they had throughout the year, leaving Campbell struggling to pinpoint exactly where things went wrong.
Dan Campbell on An Odd Day for the Lions
“I don’t know what it was,” Campbell said, reflecting on the team’s uncharacteristic performance. “It was one of those odd days. Things were a little bit off.”
He pointed to a series of missteps that ultimately derailed the Lions’ chances, starting with an early play where a simple miscommunication led to a turnover. “The first one we had, we’re going to Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Saint just kind of trips a little bit. Then Jared (Goff) has to move back in the pocket, reset, and ends up getting sacked, the ball gets knocked out, and they recover it. It’s a chain reaction, a ripple effect of things happening all in one play.”
Failure to Complement Each Other
Campbell admitted that the team’s struggles were not due to a single factor but a combination of issues, including missed opportunities and penalties that contributed to the loss. “We just didn’t play great,” he said. “I mentioned we didn’t complement each other. And, look, man, that’s the same thing. At the end of the day, I didn’t have them ready.”
This loss marks a painful end to what had been a remarkable season for the Lions, who had entered the playoffs with high hopes. But Campbell’s honesty about the team’s shortcomings underscores the leadership and accountability that has defined his tenure. Despite the tough loss, the team will look to learn from the experience as they prepare for the future.
“It’s hard to look at it,” Campbell added, clearly feeling the weight of the defeat. The Lions will now begin their offseason, reflecting on the lessons learned and preparing for the next step in their journey.
