NFL Playoffs: Jayden Daniels stars as Commanders stunning Lions to reach NFC title game

DETROIT (AP) — Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders, with nothing to lose, sent the top-seeded Detroit Lions to an incredibly quick exit from the playoffs.

Daniels threw two touchdowns and fellow Mike Sainristil threw two interceptions, dazzling performances that helped Washington beat Detroit 45-31 Saturday night to reach the NFC championship game for the first time since winning the third Super Bowl of the franchise 33 years ago.

“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.

The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame doubts as they have all season with a new quarterback, coach and general manager.

“I always believed we could accomplish more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.

Detroit, the No. 1 team in the NFC for the first time with a franchise-record 15 wins, doomed its chances of living up to expectations by turning the ball over five times.

“Now is not the time to talk about what a great year we had and all the wins,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re here to watch the show and we didn’t make it. It hurts.

Sainristil, who won a national title at Michigan last season, picked off his second pass on a tricky play with receiver Jameson Williams. throw in the cover of a backhand in the fourth quarter.

“Mike is someone that’s hard to fool,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said.

Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give Washington the advantage 24-14.

Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, returning it three times in the unfortunate first half. He finished 23 of 40 for 313 yards with a touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta that gave the Lions their final lead midway through the second quarter.

Daniels finished with 299 passing yards and 51 rushing yards and – just as importantly – did not turn the ball over.

“He has a different balance,” Quinn said. “He’s a rare competitor.”

Daniels became the second rookie quarterback to knock off a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.

“Nothing surprises me about him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who converted a short pass from Daniels. in a 58 yard touchdown.

Quinn led Washington to its first playoff victory in 19 years last week. The Commanders beat Tampa Bay for their sixth comeback victory and fifth straight on the final play from scrimmage in regulation or overtime.

The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn’t let Detroit stay that close.

“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They deserved this game and we didn’t.”

Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 in the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – to take a 31-21 halftime lead.

Daniels totaled 242 passing yards in the first half, setting a rookie record a week after becoming the first rookie to lead his team in rushing and passing yards in a playoff victory.

The former LSU star, who was the second overall pick, was 22 of 31, including the long screen TD to McLaurin and a 5-yard toss for a score to Zach Ertz in the second quarter.

Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs had 105 yards and two touchdowns while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.

Goff dug into a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the first quarter and Washington took advantage.

Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to extend a drive capped by Robinson’s 2-yard touchdown run.

Three snaps after Daniels’ TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his target and Martin intercepted it and took it to the end zone, putting the Commanders ahead 24-14. Goff took a hit from linebacker Frankie Luvu on the interception return and was evaluated for a concussion.

Detroit’s defense couldn’t stop the Commanders all night, and Washington set a season-high in points.

The Lions started the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the first time and drive 76 yards in 11 plays on the ensuing drive, capped by Gibbs’ 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make the score 31-28.

Detroit, however, was not stingy on defense for long.

Washington put together a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – extended by Detroit having 12 men on the field facing fourth-and-2 from its own 5 – and Robinson’s second short touchdown run restored the Commanders’ 10-point lead.

Injuries

Commanders: OG Sam Cosmi was injured on Robinson’s touchdown run early in the second quarter. His right leg buckled awkwardly and he limped off the field.

Lions: CB Amik Robertson broke his arm on Washington’s second snap. … OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and reserve DL Pat O’Connor (calf) were inactive.

To be continued

Washington will face the winner of the Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles game next Sunday on the road for a spot in the Super Bowl.

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Follow Larry Lage on https://apnews.com/author/larry-lage

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