By LARRY LAGE
DETROIT – Jayden Daniels threw two touchdowns in a flawless performance Washington's dazzling rookieand the Commanders defeated the Detroit Lions 45-31 on Saturday night to succeed in the NFC championship game for the primary time since winning the Super Bowl 33 years ago.
“It’s a surreal moment,” Daniels said.
The sixth-seeded Commanders (14-5) were nearly double-digit underdogs against the Super Bowl favorite Lions (15-3) and overcame their doubts, as they’ve done all season with a rookie quarterback, a brand new coach and a general manager did.
“I've always believed we can accomplish more than people give us credit for,” Daniels said.
Detroit, the NFC's No. 1 seed for the primary time, killed its possibilities by turning it over five times.
“If you turn the ball over five times against this team, it’s going to be hard to win,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.
Washington rookie Mike Sainristil had two interceptions, including one on a trick play with receiver Jameson Williams throw into cover from a reverse gear within the fourth quarter. And Quan Martin returned a pick 40 yards for a touchdown.
Former Cal star Jared Goff threw three picks and lost a fumble, turning it over thrice within the ill-fated first half.
Daniels finished the sport with 299 yards passing and 51 yards rushing and, just as importantly, he didn't turn the ball over.
He became the second rookie quarterback to defeat a top-seeded team, joining Joe Flacco, who led Baltimore past Tennessee on January 10, 2009.
“Nothing surprises me with him,” said receiver Terry McLaurin, who converted a brief pass from Daniels right into a 58-yard touchdown.
First-year coach Dan Quinn led Washington to its first playoff win in 19 years last week. The Commanders overtook Tampa Bay for his or her sixth comeback win and fifth straight on the ultimate play of the sport, whether in regulation or additional time.
The Commanders, who converted 3 of 4 fourth downs, didn't allow Detroit to remain so close.
“Give them credit,” Campbell said. “They deserved the game, we didn’t.”
Washington outscored Detroit 28-14 within the second quarter – the highest-scoring quarter in NFL playoff history – and took a 31-21 halftime lead.
Daniels had 242 yards passing in the primary half, setting a rookie record, every week after becoming the primary rookie to guide his team to a playoff victory in yards rushing and passing.
The former LSU star, who was the No. 2 overall pick, was 22 of 31, including the long on-screen touchdown to McLaurin and a 5-yard rating for Zach Ertz within the second quarter.
Brian Robinson ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Goff 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.
Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Amon-Ra St. Brown had eight receptions for 137 yards.
Goff fumbled a collapsing pocket on third-and-1 from the Commanders 17 late in the primary quarter and Washington took advantage.
Daniels converted a fourth-and-3 from the Detroit 9 to increase a drive capped by Robinson's 2-yard touchdown run.
Three snaps after Daniels' TD throw to McLaurin, Goff overthrew his intended goal and Martin intercepted it and took it into the tip zone, giving the Commanders a 24-14 lead. Goff was hit on an interception return by linebacker Frankie Luvu and was evaluated for a concussion.
With backup Teddy Bridgewater at center, Williams scored on a 61-yard return.
However, Detroit's defense couldn't hold off the Commanders all night. Washington set a season high in points.
The Lions had a probability to scale back the deficit in the ultimate minute of the primary half, but Goff's omit deep center was deflected by Sainristil ultimately zone.
Detroit began the second half strong, forcing Washington to punt for the primary time after which went 76 yards in 11 plays on the following drive, capped by Gibbs' 8-yard run for his second touchdown to make it 31-28.
However, the Lions didn't skimp on defense for long.
Washington had a 15-play, 70-yard touchdown drive – prolonged by Detroit having 12 men on the sector when it faced fourth-and-2 from its 5 – and Robinson's second short touchdown run restored the Commanders' 10-point lead.
Injuries
Commanders: OG Sam Cosmi was injured on Robinson's go-ahead touchdown early within the second quarter. His right leg bent awkwardly and he hobbled off the sector.
Lions: CB Amik Robertson (elbow) was injured on Washington's second snap. … OG Kevin Zeitler (hamstring) and backup DL Pat O'Connor (calf) were inactive.
Next
Washington will play on the road next Sunday against the winner of Sunday's game Los Angeles Rams-Philadelphia Eagles for a spot within the Super Bowl.
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Follow Larry Lage athttps://apnews.com/author/larry-lage
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