After decades of losing, the Detroit Lions had a historic season, finishing with a franchise-best regular season record of 15-2 (15-3 overall), winning their second consecutive NFC North title, and clinching the one seed in the playoffs. However, their incredible run came to a disappointing end with an underwhelming loss to the Washington Commanders in the Divisional Round.
The Lions had their first bye week since Week five, giving them a chance to regroup, recover, and prepare for the final stretch of the season. Unfortunately, despite their advantages (a bye and the home field) and their regular season dominance, they couldn’t get the job done against the Commanders. Most of the blame for the loss has been given to the Lions defense, who struggled to contain Washington’s offense. Some issues included missed tackles, a lack of pressure on Commanders standout quarterback Jayden Daniels, and difficulty stopping the run game.

Wildcard Results:

Eagles beat Packers: The Eagles won 22-10, and although the score made it seem close, it never really felt like a close game. The Eagles scored early and took advantage of Jordan Love’s mistakes to keep the lead. Although he got the win, Jalen Hurts had an awful game. Saquon Barkley had a great game, rushing for over 100 yards.

Commanders beat Buccaneers: This was by far the best game of the weekend. The Washington Commanders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fought right down to the wire, but the Commanders came out with the win with a last-second field goal to win 23-20. On the offensive side, Jayden Daniels showed off his dual-threat capability, racking up 268 yards and two touchdowns. On the defensive side, Bobby Wagner helped stuff the Bucs run game with eight tackles and a half sack.

Rams beat Vikings: The Rams beat the Vikings 27-9 in a game that felt one-sided from the start. The Rams’ defense dominated, tying a playoff record with nine sacks, and rookie Jared Verse returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. Matthew Stafford had a solid game, throwing for two touchdowns, while the Vikings’ lone highlight was a 26-yard touchdown pass from Sam Darnold to T.J. Hockenson.
Wildcard weekend was full of action, from a nail-biting last-second Commanders win, to dominant performances from players like Saquon Barkley and Matthew Stafford. With these results, the matchups are set for the divisional round.

Divisional Round Results:
Commanders beat Lions: The Commanders beat the Lions 45-31, showcasing their firepower on both sides of the ball. Jayden Daniels led the way with an outstanding performance of 350 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns. The Commanders’ defense also showed out, forcing multiple turnovers, including a game-changing pick-six by Quan Martin. Jared Goff and the Lions could not find their rhythm, despite entering the game as the NFC’s top team. This win sends Washington to their first NFC championship game since 1991.

Eagles beat Rams: The Eagles defeated the Rams 28-22 to advance to the NFC championship. Saquon Barkley led the way with two long touchdown runs, including a 78-yarder in the fourth quarter. The Eagles’ defense forced key turnovers, including a late fumble recovery that led to a field goal. Despite a late touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Colby Parkinson, the Rams couldn’t get it done. This win sends Philadelphia to their second NFC championship in three years.

NFC and AFC Championship Predictions:
Eagles vs. Commanders: While Jayden Daniels and the Commanders have had an inspiring run, it’s time for things to come to an end. Washington will not have enough on defense to stop Jalen Hurts in the air and Saquon Barkley on the ground, nor will they be able to do enough on offense to beat star cornerback Darius Slay and versatile safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Philadelphia’s home-field advantage and explosive playmakers will likely be too much to handle for the Washington Commanders.

Chiefs vs. Bills: The Bills have shown flashes of excellence this season, but they’ll face a very tough challenge against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo’s defense is solid but won’t be able to contain Mahomes’ playmaking ability, and they’ll struggle to match the Chiefs’ offensive firepower. On the other side of the ball, Josh Allen is an elite quarterback but also inconsistent in big games. With home field advantage, Kansas City is in a good position to play in the Super Bowl.