Rookie QB Jayden Daniels Leads Commanders to NFC Championship Game

DETROIT, Mich. — Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led the No. 6-seeded Washington Commanders to a stunning 45-31 victory over the top-seeded Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round on Saturday, securing the team’s first trip to the NFC Championship Game since 1991.

The Commanders, who finished last season with a 4-13 record, overcame a high-powered Lions offense to advance in the playoffs. Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 52 yards on 15 carries.

The Lions, who entered the game with a 15-2 record and home-field advantage, were seeking their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. However, turnovers and defensive lapses proved costly. Quarterback Jared Goff threw three interceptions, including a pick-six returned 40 yards by Quan Martin, which temporarily knocked Goff out of the game.

Washington’s offense exploded in the second quarter, scoring 28 points to take a 31-21 halftime lead. Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for two touchdowns, while Terry McLaurin caught a 58-yard touchdown pass from Daniels. The Lions briefly rallied behind backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who replaced Goff after the hit, but couldn’t overcome Washington’s relentless attack.

The Commanders sealed the victory with a 15-play, 70-yard drive in the third quarter, capped by Robinson Jr.’s one-yard touchdown run. A trick play by the Lions, involving wide receiver Jameson Williams attempting a pass, resulted in an interception by Mike Sainristil, further derailing Detroit’s comeback hopes.

Washington will now face the winner of Sunday’s matchup between the No. 2 Philadelphia Eagles and No. 4 Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. The game will be played at the home stadium of the higher-seeded team, with kickoff scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Jan. 26.

The Commanders’ improbable playoff run marks a dramatic turnaround for a franchise that last won the Super Bowl in 1991. Daniels, who has emerged as a rising star, credited his teammates for the victory. “This is a special group,” Daniels said. “We believed in each other from the start, and now we’re one step closer to our ultimate goal.”

For the Lions, the loss extends their playoff heartbreak, as they fell in the conference championship game for the second consecutive season. Head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the disappointment but praised his team’s resilience. “We fought hard, but Washington made more plays,” Campbell said. “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”