Jayden Daniels passed for two touchdowns, Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for two more and Mike Sainristil had two interceptions to help the Washington Commanders pull off a stunning 45-31 victory over the host Detroit Lions in the NFC divisional round on Saturday night.
Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz had touchdown receptions and Jeremy McNichols rushed for a score as the sixth-seeded Commanders secured a spot in next week’s NFC Championship Game. Washington will visit either the Philadelphia Eagles or Los Angeles Rams, who play Sunday.
The NFC Championship Game appearance will be Washington’s first since the 1991 Super Bowl-winning season.
Jared Goff threw three interceptions for top-seeded Detroit, which went a franchise-best 15-2 in the regular season. Jahmyr Gibbs had 175 scrimmage yards (105 rushing, 70 receiving) and scored two touchdowns, Sam LaPorta had a touchdown grab and Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight catches for 137 yards.
The Lions committed five turnovers to Washington’s none. Goff also lost a fumble, and receiver Jameson Williams was intercepted off a reverse pass.
Quan Martin returned an interception for a touchdown for the Commanders. Jeremy Chinn also had an interception for Washington.
Daniels completed 22 of 31 passes for 299 yards to lead the Commanders to their second straight playoff victory. Washington beat the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend.
Washington led by three entering the fourth quarter before 1-yard runs by Robinson and McNichols extended the cushion to 45-28 lead. Sainristil made his second interception between the scores, picking off Williams on a trick play.
The Lions moved within 14 on a 28-yard field goal by Jake Bates with 5:01 left, but there would be no late-game charge.
Daniels passed for 242 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as the Commanders held a 31-21 lead.
Gibbs opened the scoring with a 1-yard scoring run midway through the opening quarter before Washington’s Zane Gonzalez hit a 47-yard field goal with 3:50 remaining in the period.
A wide-open second quarter featured 42 points and three touchdowns of 40 or more yards.
Washington took a 10-7 lead on a 2-yard run by Robinson with 10:55 left in the half. Detroit moved back ahead just over three minutes later when LaPorta made a diving grab from Goff for a 2-yard touchdown.
Just 81 seconds later, the Commanders were back ahead as McLaurin caught a short pass, split two defenders and eluded another one downfield while running 58 yards down the sideline with 6:23 left. Washington’s lead grew to 24-14 just 58 seconds later when Martin intercepted an overthrown Goff pass and returned it 40 yards for a score.
Goff took a massive hit to the chin from Washington’s Frankie Luvu during the return, so Teddy Bridgewater handled the next series. On the third play, Williams broke loose on a double reverse and raced 61 yards for a touchdown to bring Detroit within three with 4:01 left.
The Commanders found the end zone again when Daniels threw a 5-yard scoring pass to Ertz with 1:46 left.
The third quarter was quiet in comparison with just one touchdown — that coming on Gibbs’ 8-yard run to pull the Lions within 31-28 with 6:57 remaining.