Lions Lose Playoff Game to Commanders 45-31

The Detroit Lions, after a historic 15-2 regular season, faced a shocking playoff exit, losing 45-31 to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round. Despite holding the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage, the Lions struggled with five turnovers, a critical defensive penalty, and a lack of complementary play, leading to their downfall. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed disappointment, acknowledging they did not perform well enough to win. The loss mirrored past playoff disappointments, reminiscent of the 2019 Baltimore Ravens, who also fell short as top seeds. With the season ending abruptly, the Lions face an uncertain offseason, likely leading to changes in the roster as they look to rebuild for future success. The defeat marks a notable addition to the list of No. 1 seeds that have lost their first playoff game in NFL history.