The Detroit Lions stumbled in their playoff opener, falling to the Washington Commanders with a final score of 45-31. Despite a promising season, the Lions could not overcome a challenging game marked by multiple turnovers and missteps. Under the leadership of quarterback Jared Goff, the team struggled, finishing with 23-of-40 passing for 313 yards and a single touchdown. Goff faced significant criticism after the game, having recorded a 30% off-target rate, his highest this season.
Goff's performance included three interceptions, one of which resulted in his first pick-six of the season, and a lost fumble. The Lions, trailing by 10 at halftime, failed to mount a comeback in the second half. This game marked the fourth time this season the Lions experienced multiple interceptions in a match. The defeat was particularly disheartening given that the team had achieved a franchise-best 15 regular-season wins, earning them the No. 1 seed and a postseason bye.
The Lions joined the 2011 Green Bay Packers as the second 15-win team to lose their playoff opener. Despite the setback, team members rallied around Goff, offering support in the aftermath of the loss. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell, visibly disappointed by the outcome, refrained from placing blame solely on Goff.
"I just don't understand how a team sport, that people can put a blame on one person at all," remarked Penei Sewell, capturing the sentiment shared by many within the team.
Goff expressed gratitude for his teammates' solidarity during this challenging time.
"Those guys are my guys, and I love them, and I would do anything for them, and I appreciate them," he stated, reflecting on the support he received from players like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Kerby Joseph in the locker room.
Acknowledging his role in the defeat, Goff took responsibility for the turnovers that hindered the team's progress.
"The other ones were just sometimes part of the game, but yeah, it's on me. I got to take care of it better and certainly would have given ourselves a better chance to win had I done that," Goff admitted.
Despite these challenges, Goff remained introspective about his performance.
"It just sucks. Yeah, I wish I played a little bit better, wish I could have taken care of the ball a little bit better," he confessed, demonstrating his awareness of the stakes involved.
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